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, statistics, 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, math, 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
Learn more! Read What is 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 skills, impress potential employers, and win prizes at Waterloo’s annual datathon.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
In the world's leading co-op program, you'll 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.
Option one: Your first work term will be in the spring term after first year.
| 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 | - |
Option two: Your first work term will be in the winter term of second year.
| 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 |
Career success: a 90% employment rate after graduation
Waterloo is known for a rigorous and high-quality education – which helps Waterloo Math students be highly successful.
- Graduation rate of 86% compared to 79% for similar programs across Ontario.
- Over 90% are employed within six months of graduation!
- Waterloo students are 4X more likely to do an internship, co-op, field experience, or clinical placement in their first year than first-year students at other Ontario universities.
(Sources: Key performance indicators - University of Waterloo 2024, National Survey of Student Engagement 2023)
MathSoc
Math Society (MathSoc) is run by students for students and provides a wide range of clubs, services, and social and academic events to make your experience as a Waterloo math student the best it can be.
Campus-wide activities
There are tons of opportunities to get involved within the Faculty of Mathematics as well as campus-wide clubs, sports and recreation, and an incredible range of events!
Women in Mathematics
The Women in Mathematics (WiM) strives for all genders to be well-represented in mathematics and welcomes people with under-represented gender identities.
Women in Computer Science
Women in Computer Science (WiCS) offers events such as the Big CSters mentoring program, workshops, a speaker series, and panels about diversity in computer science and STEM.
Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM)
WiSTEM is a student-run club that welcomes all students (regardless of gender) to promote equality in STEM through workshops, discussions, homework help, and guest speakers.
Hack the North
As a Waterloo student, you can participate in competitions such as Hack the North, Canada's largest hack-a-thon and hosted annually at Waterloo.
Admission requirements
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
Admission averages
Individual selection from the
- mid-80s if applying directly to Data Science or through Mathematics
- low to mid-90s if applying through Computer Science.
Recommended course
Grade 11 U Introduction to Computer Science
Not studying in Ontario?
Search our admission requirements.
For all students
- The Admission Information Form is required for admission.
- Participation in the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest and/or the Euclid Mathematics Contest is not required for admission, but writing one of these contests is required for some scholarships offered by the Faculty of Mathematics.
How to apply
You can apply directly to Data Science on your application or apply to Computer Science or Mathematics and choose Data Science as your major at the end of first year.
Get information about programs, applying, and more!
Connect with us
Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?
Please contact our Faculty of Mathematics recruitment team who can answer any questions you have.
You can also check out the Faculty of Math on Instagram!