B.S. in Data Science: Foundations Track

IMPORTANT NOTES: The Data Science major has a capped admission process which means entrance into the major will only be open to continuing students through a lottery. Please see the Data Science Change of Major page for additional details about the lottery and eligibility requirements.

This track emphasizes the underlying computer science, engineering, mathematics and statistics methodology and theory, and is especially recommended as preparation for graduate study in data science or related fields.

Notes:
These requirements were put into effect Fall 2022. Requirements from previous years can be found in the General Catalog Archive.

Preparatory Subject Matter (39 units)

Mathematics

MAT 21A Calculus
MAT 21B Calculus
MAT 21C Calculus
MAT 22A Linear Algebra

Computer Science

ECS 17 Data, Logic, and Computing
ECS 32A Introduction to Programming
ECS 32B Introduction to Data Structures

Statistics

STA 35A Statistical Data Science I
STA 35B Statistical Data Science II
STA 35C Statistical Data Science III

Depth Subject Matter (52 units)

Core Coursework

Computer Science

ECS 116 Databases for Non-Majors
ECS 117 Algorithms for Data Science
ECS 119 Data Processing Pipelines

Probability & Statistics

STA 108 Linear Regression
STA 141A Fundamentals of Statistical Data Science
MAT 135A Probability OR STA 131A Introduction to Probability Theory

Machine Learning

Choose one:

ECS 111 Applied Machine Learning for Non-Majors
MAT 170 Mathematics for Data Analytics & Decision Making
STA 142A Introduction to Statistical Learning

Mathematics

MAT 167 Applied Linear Algebra OR ECS 130 Scientific Computation
MAT 168 Optimization

Science & Technology Studies

STS 101 Data & Society

Upper Division Electives

Three elective courses in a related discipline.

Three upper division courses approved by major advisor; they should be in statistics, mathematics, computer science or cover quantitative aspects of a substantive discipline. A list of pre-approved electives can be viewed here.

Pre-Approved Electives

Total Units: 91

Sample Schedule

Reminders

Feel free to hold off on taking ECS courses until your sophomore year if you would prefer to take only two major courses in your first year. Some students benefit from focusing solely on the MAT and STA classes in their first year.
These sample plans have most major courses in the 1st and 2nd year, but you can easily take a lighter course load and spread out your courses more evenly into your 3rd and 4th years as needed.
Your priority should be to complete all preparatory requirements by the end of your sophomore year. You may also begin taking upper division courses in your 2nd year, but it may not be necessary to complete all of your major requirements in four years. Do not take any upper division courses in your 1st year!
Remember that balance is key and you have to make the best possible schedule for YOU! Meet with your major advisors on a regular basis to help you update your academic plan.
Academic Planning Resources:

Freshman	Fall	Winter	Spring
	MAT 21A	MAT 21B	MAT 21C
	STA 35A	STA 35B	STA 35C
		ECS 17	ECS 32A
Sophomore	Fall	Winter	Spring
	MAT 22A	STA 108	STA 141A
	ECS 32B	ECS 116
	STS 101
Junior	Fall	Winter	Spring
	ECS 119	MAT 167 or ECS 130	ECS 111 or MAT 170 or STA 142A
	MAT 135A or STA 131A	ECS 117
Senior	Fall	Winter	Spring
	Elective	Elective	Elective
		MAT 168

Reminders (BS)

Area Breadth Requirement (90 Units of Natural Science and Mathematics Coursework)
- If you receive a Bachelor of Science in the College of Letters and Science you have an area breadth requirement. You are required to take 90 units in Natural Science and Mathematics. You can find out more about this requirement and view a list of approved courses and restrictions on the Letters and Science website. Please consult an advisor in the Letters and Science Dean's Office for more information about this requirement.
Double Major Unit Overlap Rules
- In the College of Letters and Science at least 80 percent of the upper division units used to satisfy course and unit requirements in each major selected must be unique and may not be counted toward the upper division unit requirements of any other major undertaken. If the major programs differ in the number of upper division units required, the major program requiring the smaller number of units will be used to compute the minimum number of units that must be unique.
Major-Minor Course Overlap Rules
- No more than one course applied to the satisfaction of requirements in the major program shall be accepted in satisfaction of the requirements of a minor.