Major in Data Science
Note: The UBC Okanagan campus also offers a B.Sc. Minor in Data Science.
This program provides students with a thorough training in Data Science, which focuses on making decisions supported by data. It is grounded in Statistics (to formulate relevant questions and determine the answer based on data) and Computer Science (to manipulate and visualize data efficiently).
Data Science graduates have an impact on society by supporting evidence-based decisions grounded in our ever-growing collection of data. They are in very high demand and are called Statisticians, Quantitative Analysts, Decision Support Engineering Analysts, or Data Scientists.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| MATH_O 100, 101 | 6 |
| Two of BIOL_O 116 or 117, 122 or 125, 131, 133; CHEM_O 111 or 121, 113 or 123; EESC_O 111, 121; PHYS_O 111 or 112, 121 or 122 | 6 |
| COSC_O 111, 121 | 6 |
| DATA_O 101 | 3 |
| ENGL_O 1091, or two of 1121, 113, 1141, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155,156, CORH_O 203 | 6 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| MATH_O 200, 220, 2212, 222, 225 | 15 |
| STAT_O 203, 205 | 6 |
| COSC_O 222 | 3 |
| Electives3 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
Third and Fourth Years |
|
|---|---|
DATA_O 310, 311, 315 | 9 |
COSC_O 304 | 3 |
STAT_O 303 | 3 |
PHIL_O 331 | 3 |
24 credits from the following: | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electives3 | 18 |
Total Credits | 60 |
Minimum credits for degree | 120 |
1Credit will only be granted for one of ENGL_O 109, 112 or 114.
2MATH_O 221 may be taken in the second term of the first year.
3Students must complete at least 12 credits of non-science designated courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take 3 credits of an Indigenous content course to partially fulfill this requirement. Students entering the B.Sc. in 2024 and later will have to successfully complete an Indigenous content course.
Data Science Honours Program
Through coursework and research, the Honours in Data Science is an intensive program of study. Students who complete this program will have the ability to work independently and with a high level of competency. The course requirements are the same as in the Major in Data Science program, except the student must maintain a high grade level (a minimum of 76%) and the student must complete DATA_O 449 Honours Thesis (6 credits).
Admission Requirements
- Fourth-year standing in the Data Science Major;
- This program requires a research project with an undergraduate Honours thesis. The thesis proposal and a research supervisor must be approved by the department head; and
- Minimum grade average of 76% in all courses taken to date applicable to the Data Science Major.
In exceptional cases, such as transferees from another institution, a student may be admitted to the Honours program notwithstanding the criteria listed above.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of the course requirements for the Data Science Major;
- Completion of DATA_O 449 Honours Thesis with a minimum grade of 76%. A written thesis is required, with a public presentation of the thesis in the form of a poster session or a seminar; and
- A minimum 76% graduating grade average (GGA).
Any query related to the data science Major/Honours should be addressed to the data science Major/Honours program advisor at datascience.advisor@ubc.ca