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Data Science

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UC San Diego’s Data Science major prepares students to understand and solve real‑world problems using data. The program integrates computer science, mathematics, and statistical reasoning with hands‑on practice in managing, analyzing, and interpreting complex datasets. Students learn core skills in programming, machine learning, data systems, and responsible data use, supported by UC San Diego’s strong interdisciplinary environment. The major emphasizes collaboration, ethical decision‑making, and applying data‑driven methods across scientific, social, and industry domains, preparing graduates to lead in a data‑powered world.

Program Highlights

  • The Capstone program is a key part of the Data Science curriculum.

  • Data Science has 16 industry partnerships including with Deloitte, FICO, Intel, Qualcomm, and SDG&E.

  • Data Science has Academic Exchange Programs with Plaksha University (India), Los Almos National Labs (New Mexico), and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).

Data Science

This page is intended to give some highlights about the program. If you are interested in learning more about the major and its curriculum, visit the department website.

Data Science Website

Experimental Learning

Co-curricular Programs

Research

Conduct research in your field of student with one of the many research programs available. Research opportunities in this major include, but are not limited to:

Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute (HDSI) Undergraduate Scholarship Program

  • Available during fall, winter and spring quarters (3 quarter commitment).
  • Open to first-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
  • Stipend available.

Undergraduate Research Scholarships (URS) - Ledell Family Research Scholarship for Science and Engineering

  • Available during summer (10 weeks).
  • Open to first-years, sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors.
  • Stipend available.

McNair Program

  • Available during winter, spring, and summer (8 weeks); 3 quarter commitment.
  • Open to juniors and seniors.
  • Summer stipend and housing available.
  • For more details, eligibility, and to explore more programs, visit our Undergraduate Research website.

Internships

UC San Diego offers strong internship pathways for undergraduates through the Academic Internship Program (AIP) and the Research Experience and Applied Learning (REAL) Portal. AIP enables students to earn academic credit while gaining professional experience in fields across all majors, supported by faculty mentorship and an academic component. The REAL Portal serves as a centralized hub for finding research, internships, service learning, and other hands‑on opportunities on and off campus. Together, these resources help students explore career interests, build professional skills, and connect academic learning with real‑world experience.

Find a Program

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to explore study abroad opportunities which allow students to experience the culture and history of another country and gain a global perspective,  all while earning academic credit toward their degree.

Learn more about study abroad opportunities for Data Science.

Student Organizations

With over 600 student organizations, students are able to connect with other students who share similar interests. And, if you can't find something that interests you, it's easy to create a new one with just a few other students. Explore UC San Diego student organizations. 

Be sure to check out these organizations related to your major:

  • Data Science Student Society
  • Women in Data Science

What can I do with this major?

Learn about how you can apply your major to various opportunities after you graduate. The information below is based on recent surveys from alumni in this (or similar) majors and is not an exhaustive list. 

  • Recent Employers - Top 10 employers alumni reported working for. 

  • Job Types - Industries and types of jobs that alumni reported. 

  • Skills - Common skills and skills specific to the major that alumni reported gaining from this major. 

  • Graduate Programs - The types of graduate programs alumni reported going to (if applicable)

Recent Employers

  • Amazon
  • Meta
  • Deloitte
  • University of California
  • Google
  • Apple
  • Viasat
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Qualcomm

Job Types

  • Data Scientists
  • Software Developers and QA Testers
  • Research Assistants
  • Data Engineers
  • Technical Data Analysts
  • Teaching Assistants
  • Machine Learning Developers
  • Management Consultants and Business Analysts

Graduate Programs

  • Computer Science
  • Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
  • Operations Research
  • Informatics
  • Information Science
  • Data Science
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  • Management Science
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Business Statistics

Skills

Common

  • Research
  • Communications
  • Leadership
  • Teaching
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Customer Service
  • Forecasting
  • Operations

 Specific

  • Data Science
  • Python
  • Data Analysis
  • Machine Learning
  • Java
  • SQL
  • Pandas
  • HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
  • Data Visualization
  • Data Structures
  • Algorithms

 

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