Program Overview

Data Science Degree Overview

The Data Science degree program is designed to equip students with the skills to gather raw data, analyze it, and make informed decisions. This program combines programming, mathematics, statistics, and analytical skills to answer challenging questions.

Program Description

Data science has become indispensable to industries worldwide. Students in this program will learn to decipher data that drives decision-making, which can change lives. The program covers various aspects, including data from sensors, digital images, streaming videos, satellites, medical imagery, and interactions with cloud computing.

Courses and Curriculum

The program includes courses in computer science and statistics that teach students how to leverage technology to analyze large amounts of raw data and extract meaning from clutter. After graduation, students can apply their skills in diverse fields, including medicine, business, advertising, entertainment, public health, and more.

First-Year Courses

• MATH 135 – Algebra for Honours Mathematics
• MATH 137 – Calculus 1 for Honours Mathematics
• CS 135 – Designing Functional Programs
• One communication skills course
• One elective

September to December

• MATH 135 – Algebra for Honours Mathematics
• MATH 137 – Calculus 1 for Honours Mathematics
• CS 135 – Designing Functional Programs
• One communication skills course
• One elective

January to April

• MATH 136 – Linear Algebra 1 for Honours Mathematics
• MATH 138 – Calculus 2 for Honours Mathematics
• CS 136 – Elementary Algorithm Design and Data Abstraction
• Elective or STAT 230 – Probability
• One elective

After First Year

Most required courses will be in Statistics and Computer Science, along with additional foundational courses in Mathematics. Students can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

Sample Upper-Year Courses

• STAT 341 – Computational Statistics and Data Analysis
• CS 341 – Algorithms
• STAT 441 – Statistical Learning - Classification
• CS 431 – Data-Intensive Distributed Analytics
• STAT 444 – Statistical Learning - Advanced Regression

Customizing Your Degree

Students can add additional areas of expertise by including one or more minors available to all Waterloo students. Advisors can help students explore which minors or specializations may fit into their plans.

Co-op Program

The co-op program provides relevant paid work experience. Students will explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience, and make money.

Sample Co-op Job Titles

• Data scientist
• Risk management intern
• Developer
• Software engineering intern
• Reporting analyst
• Project manager
• Enterprise analyst
• QA analyst

Co-op Work-Study Sequence

Starting in the second year, students will normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating classroom learning with real-world experience.

Admissions

Ontario students require six Grade 12 U and/or M courses, including:

• Advanced Functions
• Calculus and Vectors
• Any Grade 12 U English
• One other 4U course

Recommended: Grade 11 U Introduction to Computer Science

Admission average: Individual selection from the mid-80s if applying through Mathematics and low to mid-90s if applying through Computer Science.

Related Programs

• Computer Science
• Statistics

Career Opportunities

With a data science degree, students can work in diverse fields, including medicine, business, advertising, entertainment, public health, and more. The program prepares students to make data-driven decisions, which are applied in various areas.

Student Life

The university offers various clubs, services, and social and academic events to make the student experience the best it can be. This includes MathSoc, Hack the North, Women in Mathematics, and Women in Computer Science, providing a wide range of activities and support for students.