Make sense of the mountain of data produced every day
Gather raw data, analyze it, and make decisions. That’s data science in a nutshell.
Data science has become indispensable to industries around the world. How do you know if social media advertising is worth the cost? What is the best way to confirm a life-changing diagnosis from multiple MRI images? Will a tornado touch down in your community? Decipher the data that drives decision-making that changes lives
In this program you’ll merge programming, mathematics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytical skills to answer challenging questions.
Find out how data from sensors, digital images, streaming videos, satellites, medical imagery, and interactions with cloud computing shape our future.
Courses in computer science and statistics will teach you how to leverage technology to analyze large amounts of raw data and extract meaning from clutter. After graduation you’ll put your skills to work in diverse fields including medicine, business, advertising, entertainment, public health, and more.
Faculty:
Faculty of Mathematics
Degree:
Bachelor of Computer Science or a Bachelor of Mathematics in Data Science
Available as a co-op program?
Yes
Available as a regular program?
Yes
Available as a minor?
No
Study in a high-tech hub. Waterloo Region is home to more than 1,000 technology companies, including Google, OpenText, Shopify, and a host of startups.
Win prizes — and glory. Show off your data-taming skills, impress potential employers, and win prizes at Waterloo’s annual datathon.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to 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 second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
Your first work term will be after first year (May to August 2026).
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Co-op |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Fifth | Co-op | Study | - |
or halfway through second year (which can be January to April 2027).
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Fifth | Co-op | Co-op | Study |
Admissions
Ontario students: 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.
Not an Ontario high school student? Search our admission requirements.
How to apply?
Apply to Computer Science or Mathematics and choose Data Science as your major at the end of first year. Once you've applied, you'll need to complete the Admission Information Form as part of the application process.
We strongly encourage you to participate in the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest and/or the Euclid Mathematics Contest to enhance your admissions status. To be considered for entrance scholarships in the Faculty of Mathematics, you must write one or both of the contests. If you complete both contests, we'll use the results of the contest in which you performed best.
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Connect with us
Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?
Please contact Evan Chang, our Faculty of Mathematics recruitment coordinator who can answer any questions you have.