Data Science
Jointly offered by the Departments of Computing Science and Mathematical & Statistical Sciences, our Data Science program provides students with a strong interdisciplinary education combining computing science, mathematics, and statistics. The program prepares students to work with data in a rigorous and responsible way: from collecting and managing data to building models, interpreting results, and communicating insights.
Data science plays an important role in many areas of society, including technology,
business, health sciences, finance, environmental science, and public policy. The
program emphasizes strong mathematical, statistical, and computational foundations,
enabling students not only to apply modern data science tools but also to understand
their principles and develop new methods as technologies evolve.
business, health sciences, finance, environmental science, and public policy. The
program emphasizes strong mathematical, statistical, and computational foundations,
enabling students not only to apply modern data science tools but also to understand
their principles and develop new methods as technologies evolve.
Students in the program take courses in mathematical foundations, programming,
algorithms, databases, probability, statistics, optimization, and machine learning. Upper-
year coursework allows students to deepen their knowledge in one or more areas of
data science while maintaining a strong interdisciplinary perspective.
algorithms, databases, probability, statistics, optimization, and machine learning. Upper-
year coursework allows students to deepen their knowledge in one or more areas of
data science while maintaining a strong interdisciplinary perspective.
Careers in Data Science
Graduates of the Data Science program are prepared for a wide range of careers
involving data analysis, modelling, and computational decision-making. Possible career
paths include data scientists, data analysts, business intelligence analysts, database
developers or administrators, statistical modelers, or quantitative analysts.
Graduates may also pursue graduate studies in data science, computing science,
statistics, applied mathematics, economics, finance, or related interdisciplinary fields.
Degree Options in Data Science
The program is offered in both Honors and Major degrees. Within each degree, students
may pursue one of four pathways:
- Data Science - General Pathway. The General pathway provides a balanced
program across computing science, mathematics, and statistics. - Data Science - Computing Option. The Computing option emphasizes
programming, algorithms, machine learning, and large-scale data systems. - Data Science - Mathematics Option. The Mathematics option focuses on
mathematical modelling, optimization, stochastic processes, and the theoretical
foundations of data science. - Data Science - Statistics Option. The Statistics option emphasizes statistical
modelling, inference, regression, and statistical learning methods for analyzing
real-world data.
Course requirements are the same for the first two years, regardless of the pathway.
For the detailed program requirements, please see this section of the University Calendar.