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 go into effect Fall 2026. Requirements from previous years can be found in the General Catalog Archive.
Preparatory Subject Matter (40 units)
Mathematics (16 units)
- MAT 21A Calculus
- MAT 21B Calculus
- MAT 21C Calculus
- MAT 22A Linear Algebra
- or MAT 67 Modern Linear Algebra
- or MAT/BIS 27A Linear Algebra with Applications to Biology
Computer Science (12 units)
- ECS 17 Data, Logic, and Computing
- or ECS 20 Discrete Math for Computer Science (ECS 17 preferred)
- ECS 32A Introduction to Programming
- or ECS 36A Programming & Problem Solving (ECS 32A preferred)
- ECS 32B Introduction to Data Structures
- or ECS 36C Data Structures, Algorithms, & Programming (ECS 32B preferred)
Note: ECS 020, ECS 036A, ECS 036C are not usually available to Data Science majors at UC Davis. Data Science majors enrolling in ECS courses at UC Davis should plan to take ECS 017, ECS 032A, and ECS 032B.
Statistics (12 units)
- 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
Science & Technology Studies (4 units)
- STS 101 Data & Society
Probability & Statistics (12 units)
- STA 108 Linear Regression
- STA 141A Fundamentals of Statistical Data Science
- STA 131A Introduction to Probability Theory
- or MAT 135A Probability
Computer Science (12 units)
- ECS 116 Databases for Non-Majors*
- ECS 117 Algorithms for Data Science*
- ECS 119 Data Processing Pipelines
Machine Learning (4 units)
Choose one:
- ECS 111 Applied Machine Learning for Non-Majors
- MAT 170 Mathematics for Data Analytics & Decision Making
- STA 142A Statistical Learning I
- STA 142B Statistical Learning II
Mathematics (8 units)
Domain Emphasis (12 units)
Three elective courses in a related discipline.
Three upper division courses approved by a major advisor; they should be in statistics, mathematics, computer science or cover quantitative aspects of a substantive discipline. All three electives must be in the same discipline. A list of pre-approved electives can be viewed here.
*ECS 116 and ECS 117 will not be offered in the 2025-2026 academic year, please view alternative options approved for the 2025-2026 academic year in the Department of Statistics September 12th announcement. These courses will be offered in the 2026-2027 academic year and beyond.
Total Units: 92
Major GPA Requirements
- Minimum 2.0 GPA in UC Davis courses used in the major.
- Minimum 2.0 GPA in Upper Division UC Davis courses used in the major.
Data Science Sample Academic Plans
Reminders
- Feel free to hold off on taking ECS courses until your second 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 first and second year, but you can easily take a lighter course load and spread out your courses more evenly into your third and fourth years as needed.
- Your priority should be to complete all preparatory requirements by the end of your second year. You may also begin taking upper division courses in your second 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 first year!
- PLEASE PLAN THE UPPER DIVISION ECS COURSES CAREFULLY
- E.g. ECS 116 is a prerequisite for ECS 119. Typically both of these courses are only offered once per year. Usually ECS 119 is offered in Fall, so ECS 116 would need to be taken the year prior. Please pay close attention to the Computer Science Course Offerings Schedule.
- 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.
NOTE: These plans are only a guide. When courses are offered may vary year to year so please take advantage of the Academic Planning Resources listed below.
Academic Planning Resources:
- Statistics Course Offerings Schedule
- Computer Science Course Offerings Schedule
- Mathematics Course Offerings Schedule
- STS Course Offerings Schedule
Four Year Sample Plan (MAT 21A in First Quarter)
| First-Year | Fall | Winter | Spring |
| MAT 21A | MAT 21B | MAT 21C | |
| STA 35A | STA 35B | STA 35C | |
| ECS 17 or 20 | ECS 32A or 36A | ||
| Second-Year | Fall | Winter | Spring |
| MAT 22A or 67 or MAT/BIS 27A | STA 108 | STA 141A | |
| ECS 32B or 36C | STS 101 | ECS 116 | |
| Third-Year | Fall | Winter | Spring |
| ECS 119 | MAT 167 or ECS 130 | ECS 111 or MAT 170 or STA 142A or STA 142B | |
| MAT 135A or STA 131A | ECS 117 | ||
| Fourth-Year | Fall | Winter | Spring |
| Domain Emphasis Elective | Domain Emphasis Elective | Domain Emphasis Elective | |
| MAT 168 |
- Four Year Sample Plan (MAT 12 in First Quarter)
First-Year Fall Winter Spring MAT 12* MAT 21A MAT 21B STA 35A STA 35B Second-Year Fall Winter Spring MAT 21C ECS 17 or 20 ECS 116 STA 35C MAT 22A STA 108 ECS 32A or 36A ECS 32B or 36C Third-Year Fall Winter Spring STS 101 MAT 135A or STA 131A MAT 167 or ECS 130 STA 141A ECS 117 Fourth-Year Fall Winter Spring ECS 119 MAT 168 Domain Emphasis Elective Domain Emphasis Elective Domain Emphasis Elective ECS 111 or MAT 170 or STA 142A *Some students need to take MAT 12 prior to beginning the calculus series (MAT 21ABC) in order to ensure a strong foundation in Math.
You can also delay taking upper division classes until your Junior year if you would prefer to have a more balanced schedule in your Sophomore year.