BA Data Science at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Programme overview

Students in the Data Science major apply computational, mathematical, and statistical thinking to data-rich problems in a wide variety of fields in a responsible and ethical manner. This includes the ability to manage, process, model, gain meaning and knowledge, and present data. Data science is one of the fastest growing career sectors in Wisconsin and across the nation.

Faculty: College of Letters & Science | Department: Statistics | Duration: 120 credits | Study mode: full-time | Location: Madison, WI, United States

What you will study

The degree requires 120 credits in total. Courses listed in the requirements include STAT 240 Data Science Modeling I; STAT 340 Data Science Modeling II; COMP SCI 220 Data Science Programming I; COMP SCI 320 Data Science Programming II; L I S 461 Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy; MATH 320 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applies to College of Letters & Science, not specific to this major: To declare the data science major, students must have: Fewer than 86 credits (senior standing) Attended a data science major declaration event Students may declare in their first semester on campus, without an established GPA. However, if courses have been completed at UW-Madison, the following applies: At least a 2.000 GPA on coursework that would count in the major At least a 2.000 GPA on coursework that would count as upper-level work in the major or At least a 2.000 GPA in these preparatory courses: MATH 96 , MATH 112 , MATH 113 , MATH 114 , MATH 211 , COMP SCI 200 , COMP SCI/E C E 252 , COMP SCI 310 . Please see the Data Science major page on the Department of Statistics website for information on how to declare the major and meet with advisors.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year entry terms: Fall (Early Action and Regular Decision) and Spring. Transfer entry terms: Fall (Priority and Regular Decision) and Spring.

First-year Fall Early Action: application deadline November 1, materials deadline November 9, decision on or before January 31. Fall Regular Decision: application deadline January 15, materials deadline January 22, decision on or before March 31. Spring Regular Decision: application deadline October 1, materials deadline October 15, decision on or before December 31. First-year fall and spring applications open August 1. Early Action is non-binding.

Transfer Fall Priority: application deadline February 1, materials deadline February 16, decision on or before March 31. Fall Regular: application deadline March 1, materials deadline March 15, decision on or before April 30. Spring Regular: application deadline October 1, materials deadline October 15, decision on or before December 31. Fall transfer applications open December 1; spring transfer applications open August 1.

Apply via the Common Application or the Universities of Wisconsin Application. The application fee is $80 US and is non-refundable; fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship. ACT and SAT scores are optional for students applying for admission through the spring 2028 term (application deadline October 1, 2027).

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