Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Data Science (BSDS)

The Bachelor of Science in Data Science (BSDS) is a rigorous program open to students in the School of Engineering. The program requires 38 courses, including introductory, foundation, HASS, breadth, and concentration courses. The BSDS is designed both as a standalone major and a double major option for those students in Engineering who wish to add data science to an existing engineering major.

Program Co-Directors

• Associate Professor Alva Couch (Computer Science)
• Professor Mai Vu (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Program Description

Data science refers to the analytic and computational methods and systems that support data-centric real-world problem solving. The BSDS degree is only available to students in the School of Engineering. Double-majoring in the BSDS and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) programs is not practical due to overlap between the major concentrations.

Requirements

The following requirements apply to the Class of 2027.

• The Math and Science requirement (11 courses) includes:
  • Math 32, 36, 42 or 44, 61 or 65, and 70 or 72
  • Math 165 or EE 24, Math 166
  • Two of Physics 11
  • Chemistry 1 or 16, or Biology 13
  • One of Physics 12, Chemistry 2, or Biology 14
  • A natural science elective
• The Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts (HASS) requirement (8 courses) includes:
  • English 1 or 3
  • One course in ethics and social context (Philosophy 24 or Engineering Management 54)
  • Six courses in Humanities, Arts, or Social Sciences
    • One must be Humanities
    • One must be Social Science
    • The chosen courses must add up to 24 credits
• The disciplinary breadth requirement includes three courses in a related application discipline, including physics, biology, chemistry, and many others. Each student must plan a set of three courses comprised of at least 9 credits and petition the Data Science program directors for approval.
• The Engineering requirement (2 courses) includes:
  • One course in introductory engineering (EN)
  • Either Engineering Science 2 or Computer Science 11
• The major requirement (14 courses) includes:
  • Computer Science 11, 15, 30 or 40, 135
  • One of Computer Science 136, 160 or Math 123, 125, or 126
  • Seven Data Science electives, three of which must be numbered above 100
    • A) One course in data infrastructure (including Computer Science 51, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122, 123, and 151)
    • B) One course in data analytics and/or interfaces (including Computer Science 52, 136, 137, 138, 141, 142, 143, 152, 166, 167, 169, 171, 175, 177, and 178)
    • C) One course in computational and theoretical aspects of data science (including Computer Science 131, 153, 160, and 168; Mathematics 123, 125, and 126; and Electrical Engineering 109, 110, 127, 130, 133, and 140)
    • D) Two additional courses chosen from (A)-(C) or from additional courses Math 51, 63, 87, 153, 155, 156; ME 150; or CEE 187; and may include at most one credit of Independent Study or Research (DS 93, CS 93, 94, 191, or 193; EE 93, 94, 95, 96, 191, 192) and at most one credit of thesis (CS 197 or EE 197)
  • Requirements also include a senior capstone experience, including Data Science 97 and 98 (Senior Capstone Project in Data Science I and II)

Research Experience

For a research experience, students should consider partly fulfilling concentration elective requirements via a senior thesis, coordinated with the capstone experience and breadth elective choices.

Degree Sheets

• Class of 2026 BSDS Degree Sheet
• Class of 2027 BSDS Degree Sheet
• Class of 2028 BSDS Degree Sheet
• Class of 2029 BSDS Degree Sheet

Degree Programs

• BS in Computer Engineering (BSCPE)
• BS in Electrical Engineering (BSEE)
• BS in Engineering (BSE)
• BS in Data Science (BSDS)
• MS in Artificial Intelligence
• MS in Bioengineering
• MS in Computer Engineering
• MS in Data Science
• MS in Data Science - Online
• MS in Electrical Engineering
• MS in Human-Robot Interaction
• MS in Materials Science and Engineering
• Dual Degree Master's Program (with Tufts Gordon Institute)
• PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Joint PhD in Electrical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering
• Joint PhD in Electrical Engineering and Human-Robot Interaction
• Certificate in Computer Engineering
• Certificate in Data Science
• Certificate in Microwave and Wireless Engineering
• Certificate in Product Development and Design
• Post-Bacc Certificate in Data Science - Online