Registration Guide for the Data Science major 

PLEASE READ BELOW INFORMATION CAREFULLY!

Students who are majoring in Data Science should register for four, 4-credit hour courses in their first semester, and CDS DS109, or 17 credit hours. Most of the courses at BU will be 4-credit hours.

Many 4-credit hour classes have both Lecture and Discussion sections. Discussion sections are 0 (zero) credit hours and are required in order to receive credit for its associated lecture.

Students cannot enroll in more than 18 credit hours during their first semester at BU. Your tuition covers up to 18 credit hours. If you choose to take an optional 1-credit course at the end of this list, you will have reached the maximum threshold.

Class 1: A Data Science Computational Foundations class

You will need to enroll in either CDS DS 100 or CDS DS 110.

If you...

received advanced credit from high school in AP Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, or IB Computer Science, you can take either CDS DS100 or DS110. Read below to see which courses makes the most sense for your exploration and readiness.
want to try a data science class in your first semester to ensure that you are the right major for your goals and/or have limited programming experience, enroll in CDS DS 100
have some experience programming in Python and want to move forward, go for CDS DS110
Transfer students -- schedule an appointment with a CDS academic advisor to determine what your first semester may look like

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CDS DS 100 - Data Speak Louder Than Words: This course introduces students to three perspectives that are fundamental to their ability to reason with data: critical thinking, inferential thinking, and computational thinking. Through data modeling and visualization, students will construct and communicate arguments that are rooted in data. The course teaches critical concepts and skills in computer (Python) programming, linear regression, and statistical inference, and delves into dilemmas surrounding data analysis such as balancing individual privacy and social utility. 4 cr.

CDS DS 110 - Introduction to Data Science with Python: CDS DS 110 is the first in a two-course sequence (leading to CDS DS 210) that builds students’ competence in computing techniques central to data science. Students will use Python to explore fundamental CS concepts and processes used in data science with a focus on descriptive data analysis, including data structures, development of functions and more advanced recursion, object- oriented programming, data processing and data visualization. Numpy, pandas, and matplotlib will be used to analyze real-world data. Prior experience with Python is not required. 4 cr.

Class 2: CAS WR 111, 112, or 120

All students must plan on taking a CAS WR course during their first semester at BU. Each section is a different topic, so there are many to choose from. However, if there are no seats available, please keep checking as seats may be added.
- AP/IB English credits will not equate to this writing course.
If you a required to take the Writing Placement Test, you will receive your results immediately after completing it. Afterward, enroll in the course you have placed into.
- Those who are required to take the Placement Test received a message regarding this on Monday, May 20.
If you did not receive a message from CDS Advising instructing you to take the Writing Placement Test, enroll in CAS WR120
Looking for the topics each section will cover? Click here to review your options!

Class 3: CDS DS 120 or CAS MA 123

While CAS MA123, Calculus I, is not a requirement for the Data Science major, our mathematics sequence is fast-paced and takes important concepts to the field from the areas of Calculus II, Linear Algebra, Logic/Discrete, Statistics, and Probability. It is heavily recommended for MA123 to be taken if you have little-to-no experience in calculus.
**AP credit will not waive the required DS120 course. Students who choose to take MA123 in their first semester will need to take DS120 in their second semester.
Course scheduling may require you to find a course that is not a required course within the Data Science degree. This is OKAY! We suggest that you try a course in an area that you are interested in outside of Data Science. Your course of interest could end up being a minor.

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CDS DS 120 - Foundations of Data Science: Corequisites: CDS DS100 OR CDS DS110 OR equivalent. The first in a 3-course sequence (with CDS DS 121 and CDS DS 122) that introduces students to theoretical foundations of Data Science. Introduction to key concepts from Calculus (differentiation and integration), Probability (discrete and continuous random variables) and Linear Algebra (vector spaces, matrices, and linear systems). The course links mathematics and computational thinking through problem sets requiring students to answer mathematically- posed questions using computation.

CAS MA 123 - Calculus I: Students may receive credit for not more than one of the following courses: CAS MA 121 or CAS MA 123. Limits; derivatives; differentiation of algebraic and transcendental functions. Applications to maxima, minima, and convexity of functions. The definite integral; the fundamental theorem of integral calculus

Class 4: Hub Class

Choose a class that has Hub units in an area that your major will not cover in your time at BU.

Incoming CDS Freshmen should aim to find a Hub unit course in:

Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings – PLM
Aesthetic Exploration – AEX
Historical Consciousness – HCO
Scientific Inquiry I – SI1
Social Inquiry I – SO1
Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy – GCI

Many introductory courses for minor exploration will satisfy these Hub units! A course of interest is a course that offers exploration of a subject you’ve enjoyed studying in the past, or a subject that sparks your curiosity (see below for search options). This may help you select an area for a potential minor -- the pursuit of which is encouraged for DS majors and is more easily possible by the length of the program!

Class 5: CDS DS109

Each first year student must enroll in a section of CDS DS109 to complete their mandatory advising requirement.

CDS DS109 (1cr) is a one-credit class that serves as a semester-long introduction to BU and college life. Each section is taught in combination by a CDS advisor and a student peer mentor. Low stress and high reward.

Through activities and discussions, DS109 is designed as an introduction to academic and personal success at BU as a Data Science Major. Topics includes advising, curriculum planning, time management, personal finance, wellness and safety, building academic pathways, and understanding available resources. Additionally, the seminar's purpose for you to reduce your stress, meet other DS majors, and relax while learning more about what is available to you as a BU and CDS student.

How do I find courses of interest or Hub classes?

There are helpful resources and tools for you to use to find a course of interest. A good way to explore courses by specific Hub units or by topic is the BU Hub Course List page and is a great place to start your search. To learn more about the Hub, refer to www.bu.edu/hub.

Looking for a video how-to guide on how to use the Class Search? Click here for a brief 4:30-minute tutorial.

Unfortunately, incoming students will start enrolling much later than continuing BU students. See something you are interested in taking, but it conflicts with another course or is full? Make note of what those are so we can work them into future semesters~

Optional, but highly recommended classes

PDP course (1cr) Physical Education courses are a fun way to find groups of friends and to keep moving during a long semester! Options are varied, and include a variety of classes including dance, rock climbing, ice skating, and general sports classes.