Data Science Four-Year Plan

Revised 04/2024

Bold: only offered in indicated semester
Italic: course prerequisites and corequisites (designated by &)
UD: must be admitted to the major prior to enrollment
◊: courses required for admission to this major
+: DSci technical elective options are listed on the APAS report and on the departmental website. A minimum of 18 credits is needed to complete the requirements.
±: additional science requirement may be fulfilled with Chem 1071/65, Phys 1302W, ESci 2201 (fall only, coreq Phys 1301W), Psy 3011 (prereq Psy 1001), or GCD 3022.

Note: This is a sample plan that shows the department's recommended course plan for completing this degree in four years. Alternative course options can be seen on the APAS or Catalog page. 

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 1371 Calculus I (placement or prereq) [4cr]
  • Phys 1301W Intro Physics I (&Math 1371) [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]
  • CSE 1001 First Year Experience [1cr]

Spring Semester

  • ◊ Math 1372 Calculus II (1371) [4cr]
  • Additional Science Requirement± (course specific)
  • ◊ CSci 1133 Intro to Computing & Programming Concepts [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

  • Math 2374 Multivariable Calculus (1372) [4cr]
  • ◊ Stat 3021 Intro to Probability & Statistics (Math 1372) [3cr]
  • ◊ CSci 2081 Intro to Software Development & Data Structures (1133) [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • CSci 2033 Computational Linear Algebra (1103 or 1113 or 1133, Math 1371) [4cr]
  • CSci 3041 Intro to Discrete  Structures & Algorithms (2081) [4cr]
  • CSci 3061 Intro to Systems & Systems Programming (2081) [4cr]
  • Stat 3301 Regression and Statistical Computing (3021, CSci 1113 or 1133, &CSci 2033) [4cr]

Junior Year

Fall Semester

  • IE 3013 Optimization for Machine Learning (CSci 2033, Math 2374) [4cr]
  • CSci 4707 Practice of Database Systems (3041 or 4041) [3cr]
  • CSci 3923 Ethics in Computing (UD) [1cr] (required for those admitted Fall 2023 and after)
  • Writ 3562W Technical & Professional Writing [4cr]
  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • Machine Learning/Data Mining/Statistical Learning
    • CHOOSE ONE:
      • CSci 5521 (2033, Stat 3021) [3cr]
      • CSci 5523 (4041) [3cr]
      • Stat 4052 (4051, 4102 or 5102) [4cr]
  • Theory of Statistics I
    • CHOOSE ONE:

      • Stat 5101 (Math 2374, CSci 2033) [4cr]

      • Math 5651 (2374, 2373, 3283W recommended) [4cr]

  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Senior Year

Fall Semester

  • Stat 5102 Theory of Statistics II (5101 or Math 5651) [4cr]
  • IE 5533 Operations Research for Data Science (CSci 2033, Stat 3021) [3cr]
  • Stat 4051 Applied Statistics I (3301, 5101 or Math 5651) [4cr]
  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Total Credits Needed for Degree: 120

Additional Information

The APAS is the official method for tracking completion of your specific degree requirements. This plan is not a contract and curriculum can change.

Applying to a major: z.umn.edu/csemajorapp

Courses required for admission to this major: Math 1371, Math 1372, CSci 1133, CSci 2081, Stat 3021

All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Department Contact Information

Website: cse.umn.edu/datascience
Main Phone: 612-625-4002 | Main Office: Keller Hall 4-192 | Student Services: Lind Hall 324
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Jaideep Srivastava; dscidugs@umn.edu
Departmental Advisors: Jacquelyn Burt, Dametrius Coleman, Daliya Jokondo, & Kelly Thomas
Department Contact: dsciug@umn.edu
Departmental Advising: z.umn.edu/dsciadvisor
Appointments: csci.appointments.umn.edu
Major Catalog Page: https://umtc.catalog.prod.coursedog.com/programs/231329907 

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University Degree Requirements

All students must complete the following requirements. Requirements with an (*) will be fulfilled by taking courses at UM-TC required for this major.

Writing Requirements

University Writing:

  • Writ 1301/1401 or equivalent

Writing Intensive (WI):

  • One: Any level*
  • One: Any level
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (in major)*
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (any dept.)*

Liberal Education

Cores:

  • Biological Sciences w/Lab
  • Physical Sciences w/Lab*
  • Historical Perspectives
  • Social Sciences
  • Arts/Humanities
  • Literature
  • Mathematical Thinking*

Themes (choose 4 of 5):

  • Race, Power, and Justice in the US (required)
  • Civic Life and Ethics
  • The Environment
  • Global Perspectives
  • Technology and Society