About the Program

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Data Science Major degree program combines computational and inferential reasoning to draw conclusions based on data about some aspect of the real world. Data scientists come from all walks of life, all areas of study, and all backgrounds. They share an appreciation for the practical use of mathematical and scientific thinking and the power of computing to understand and solve problems for business, research, and societal impact.

The Data Science Major will equip students to draw sound conclusions from data in context, using knowledge of statistical inference, computational processes, data management strategies, domain knowledge, and theory. Students will learn to carry out analyses of data through the full cycle of the investigative process in scientific and practical contexts. Students will gain an understanding of the human and ethical implications of data analytics and integrate that knowledge in designing and carrying out their work.

The Data Science major requirements include one lower-division course (STAT C8 {DATA 8}) and upper-division course (COMPSCI C100 {DATA 100}), along with required courses from each of the following groups:

• Foundations in Mathematics and Computing
• Computational and Inferential Depth
•  Modeling, Learning and Decision Making
• Probability
• Human Contexts and Ethics
• Domain Emphasis

Students will select a Domain Emphasis, a cluster of one lower division course and two upper division courses, that brings them into the context of a domain and allows them to build bridges with data science.

Declaring the Major

For prerequisites required before declaring the major, please see the Major Requirements tab. Students interested in the major should consult the program website, for up-to-date information about declaration, petitions, and deadlines.

Minor Program

We expect that a minor in Data Science will be available to students from all Colleges, except for students with a Data Science major. The proposal for the minor program is currently in development. Check the program website for details and status updates.

VISIT PROGRAM WEBSITE

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program. As the program is new, these requirements may undergo changes. Please check the Data Science program website for updates.

General Guidelines

• All courses taken to fulfill the major requirements below must be taken for graded credit, other than courses listed which are offered on a Pass/No Pass basis only. Other exceptions to this requirement are noted as applicable.
• No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs, with the exception of minors offered outside of the College of Letters & Science.
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in both upper and lower division courses used to fulfill the major requirements.

Lower Division Prerequisites

Course List

Code	Title	Units
STAT/COMPSCI/INFO C8	Foundations of Data Science	4
MATH 1A & MATH 1B	Calculus and Calculus	8
MATH 54	Linear Algebra and Differential Equations 2	4
or STAT 89A	Linear Algebra for Data Science
or EL ENG 16A & EL ENG 16B	Course Not Available and Course Not Available
COMPSCI 61A	The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs 3	4
or COMPSCI 88	Computational Structures in Data Science
or ENGIN 7	Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers
COMPSCI 61B	Data Structures	4

1	For a transitional period through Fall 2018, students may substitute STAT C8 Foundations of Data Science (DATA 8) with STAT 20, STAT 21, or STAT 135 when they have previously taken CS 61A. More details about this “grandfathering” policy available on our website: http://data.berkeley.edu/degrees.
2	STAT 89A in its 4-unit version will be accepted.
3	COMPSCI 88 (2 units) will be accepted only for students that have taken INFO C8 (DATA 8), but this is not applicable for students utilizing the “grandfathering” policy.

In some cases, students may complete alternative courses to satisfy the above prerequisites. See the lower-division requirements page on the Data Science program website for more details.

Lower Division Requirements

Students will also be required to take one lower division course towards their choice of Domain Emphasis. See the Domain Emphasis tab for more information.

Upper Division Requirements

Students will be required to complete COMPSCI C100 Principles & Techniques of Data Science (DATA 100) for 4 units. Students will also be required to take two upper division course towards their choice of Domain Emphasis. See the Domain Emphasis tab for more information.

Computational and Inferential Depth  

Students will be required to take two upper division courses comprising 7 or more units that provide computational and inferential depth beyond that provided in COMPSCI C100 (DATA 100) and their lower division courses. 

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Choose two courses comprising 7+ units from the following:
COMPSCI 161	Computer Security	4
COMPSCI 162	Operating Systems and System Programming	4
COMPSCI 164	Programming Languages and Compilers	4
COMPSCI 168	Introduction to the Internet: Architecture and Protocols	4
COMPSCI 169	Software Engineering	4
COMPSCI 170	Efficient Algorithms and Intractable Problems	4
COMPSCI 186	Introduction to Database Systems	4
COMPSCI 188	Introduction to Artificial Intelligence	4
EECS 127	Optimization Models in Engineering	4
EL ENG 120	Signals and Systems	4
EL ENG 123	Digital Signal Processing	4
EL ENG 129	Course Not Available	3
ESPM 174	Design and Analysis of Ecological Research	4
IND ENG 115	Industrial and Commercial Data Systems	3
IND ENG 135	Applied Data Science with Venture Applications	3
INFO 159	Natural Language Processing	4
INFO 190	Special Topics in Information (Introduction to Data Visualization)	1-3
NUC ENG 175	Methods of Risk Analysis	3
STAT 135	Concepts of Statistics	4
STAT 151A	Linear Modelling: Theory and Applications	4
STAT 152	Sampling Surveys	4
STAT 153	Introduction to Time Series	4
STAT 158	The Design and Analysis of Experiments	4
STAT 159	Reproducible and Collaborative Statistical Data Science	4

Probability

Students will be required to take one upper division course on probability. 

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Choose one of the following:
STAT 134	Concepts of Probability	4
STAT 140	Probability for Data Science	4
IND ENG 172	Probability and Risk Analysis for Engineers	3
EL ENG 126	Probability and Random Processes	4

Modeling, Learning, and Decision-Making

Students will be required to take one upper division course on modeling, learning, and decision-making.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Choose one of the following:
COMPSCI 189	Introduction to Machine Learning	4
IND ENG 142	Introduction to Machine Learning and Data Analytics	3
STAT 154	Modern Statistical Prediction and Machine Learning	4

Human Contexts and Ethics

Students will be required to take one course from a curated list of courses that establish a human, social, and ethical context in which data analytics and computational inference play a central role. 

Course List

Code	Title	Units
AMERSTD/AFRICAM C134	Information Technology and Society	4
INFO 188	Behind the Data: Humans and Values	3
ISF 100J	The Social Life of Computing	4
ISF C100G/STS C100/HISTORY C182C	Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society	4
For certain Domain Emphases, additional HCE options are available:
BIO ENG 100	Ethics in Science and Engineering [3]
CY PLAN 101	Introduction to Urban Data Analytics [4]
ESPM C167/PB HLTH C160	Environmental Health and Development [4]

Domain Emphasis

Students will also be required to take two upper division course towards their choice of Domain Emphasis. See the Domain Emphasis tab for more information.

Domain Emphasis

Domain Emphases give students a grounded understanding of a particular domain of data-intensive research, relevant theory, or an integrative intellectual thread. A Domain Emphasis is comprised of three courses chosen from a list. Each Domain Emphasis is rooted in a lower division course, which is typically also a prerequisite for the upper division courses. 

List of Domain Emphases

• Applied Mathematics and Modeling
• Business Analytics
• Cognition and Artificial Intelligence
• Computational Biology Methods
• Computational Imaging
• Computational Linguistics & Natural Language Processing
• Computational Molecular Biology
• Digital Humanities and Data Arts
• Ecology and the Environment
• Econometrics
• Environmental Economics
• Evolution and Biodiversity
• Geospatial Information and Technology
• Human Biology
• Industrial Analytics
• Inequalities in Society
• Psychology and Cognition
• Quantitative Social Science
• Robotics
• Social Policy and Law
• Social Welfare, Health, and Poverty
• Toxicology and Disease
• Urban Planning and Sustainable Development & Engineering

College Requirements

Undergraduate students must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those required by their major program.

For detailed lists of courses that fulfill college requirements, please review the College of Letters & Sciences page in this Guide. For College advising appointments, please visit the L&S Advising Pages. 

University of California Requirements

Entry Level Writing

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing requirement. Fulfillment of this requirement is also a prerequisite to enrollment in all reading and composition courses at UC Berkeley. 

American History and American Institutions

The American History and Institutions requirements are based on the principle that a US resident graduated from an American university, should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.

Berkeley Campus Requirement

American Cultures

All undergraduate students at Cal need to take and pass this course in order to graduate. The requirement offers an exciting intellectual environment centered on the study of race, ethnicity and culture of the United States. AC courses offer students opportunities to be part of research-led, highly accomplished teaching environments, grappling with the complexity of American Culture.

College of Letters & Science Essential Skills Requirements

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is designed to ensure that students graduate with basic understanding and competency in math, statistics, or computer science. The requirement may be satisfied by exam or by taking an approved course.

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language requirement may be satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in reading comprehension, writing, and conversation in a foreign language equivalent to the second semester college level, either by passing an exam or by completing approved course work.

Reading and Composition

In order to provide a solid foundation in reading, writing, and critical thinking the College requires two semesters of lower division work in composition in sequence. Students must complete parts A & B reading and composition courses by the end of their second semester and a second-level course by the end of their fourth semester.

College of Letters & Science 7 Course Breadth Requirements

Breadth Requirements

The undergraduate breadth requirements provide Berkeley students with a rich and varied educational experience outside of their major program. As the foundation of a liberal arts education, breadth courses give students a view into the intellectual life of the University while introducing them to a multitude of perspectives and approaches to research and scholarship. Engaging students in new disciplines and with peers from other majors, the breadth experience strengthens interdisciplinary connections and context that prepares Berkeley graduates to understand and solve the complex issues of their day.

Unit Requirements

• 120 total units

• Of the 120 units, 36 must be upper division units

• Of the 36 upper division units, 6 must be taken in courses offered outside your major department

Residence Requirements

For units to be considered in "residence," you must be registered in courses on the Berkeley campus as a student in the College of Letters & Science. Most students automatically fulfill the residence requirement by attending classes here for four years. In general, there is no need to be concerned about this requirement, unless you go abroad for a semester or year or want to take courses at another institution or through UC Extension during your senior year. In these cases, you should make an appointment to meet an adviser to determine how you can meet the Senior Residence Requirement.

Note: Courses taken through UC Extension do not count toward residence.

Senior Residence Requirement

After you become a senior (with 90 semester units earned toward your BA degree), you must complete at least 24 of the remaining 30 units in residence in at least two semesters. To count as residence, a semester must consist of at least 6 passed units. Intercampus Visitor, EAP, and UC Berkeley-Washington Program (UCDC) units are excluded.

You may use a Berkeley Summer Session to satisfy one semester of the Senior Residence requirement, provided that you successfully complete 6 units of course work in the Summer Session and that you have been enrolled previously in the college.

Modified Senior Residence Requirement

Participants in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP), Berkeley Summer Abroad, or the UC Berkeley Washington Program (UCDC) may meet a Modified Senior Residence requirement by completing 24 (excluding EAP) of their final 60 semester units in residence. At least 12 of these 24 units must be completed after you have completed 90 units.

Upper Division Residence Requirement

You must complete in residence a minimum of 18 units of upper division courses (excluding UCEAP units), 12 of which must satisfy the requirements for your major.

Academic Opportunities

Student Teams

Student teams support many aspects of the efforts of the Division of Data Sciences, including Peer Advising for the major and minor, analysis of student experience data to help shape future policies and programs, and development of curriculum that is integrated into courses from many departments all across campus. More details about these opportunities and how to get involved are available on the Data Science program website.