MSDS Admission Requirements

Students can be admitted in either classified or conditionally classified standing. GRE is optional for the MS in Data Science program. It is not a requirement. However, if you do submit the scores, they will be used to compare and rank the applicants.

To enter this program with classified standing, a student must have passed the following prerequisites courses (with a C- or better OR the listed required grade below):

  • Three semesters college-level calculus courses - differential calculus (e.g., MATH 30 at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥), integral calculus (e.g., MATH 31 at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥), and a multivariable caluculus course (e.g., MATH 32 at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥), with a grade of B or better on the multivariable calculus course.
  • A linear algebra course (e.g., MATH 39 at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥), with a grade of B or better.
  • A discrete math course (e.g., MATH 42 or CS 42 at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥).
  • An upper-division calculus-based statistics course (e.g., MATH 161A at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥), with a grade of B or better.
  • A probability theory course (e.g., MATH 163 at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥), with a grade of C or better.
  • Two CS introductory courses on programming and data structures (e.g., CS 46A and CS 46B at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥).
  • An upper division data structures and algorithms course (e.g., CS 146 at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥), with a grade of B or better.
  • An advanced course in object-oriented programming (e.g., CS 151 or CMPE 135 at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥) or two semesters of statistical programming coursework, (e.g., MATH 167R and MATH 167PS at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥).

Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. Minimum TOEFL scores acceptable for admission are 575 (Paper-based), 240 (Computer-based), or 100 (Internet-based).