Hi, I am Prof. Stephen Devlin, I want to welcome you to the Data Science major, and help you select your courses. Before you select and register for your classes, you should take the Calculus Placement Test.
You do not need to take this test if you have transferred and passed Calculus I or you have received an AP score of 4 or 5.
A student typically registers for 16-18 credits per semester.  4, four credit courses and perhaps 1 or 2 credits of extracurricular activities.
Most Data Science majors should register for

Math 109, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
AND
CS 110, Introduction to Computer Science
The math classes that you will register for will depend on your test scores or your AP scores.
If your Calculus Placement Test score was 15 or above, you should register for Math 109, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I.
However, if your Calculus Placement Test Score was less than 15, you should take
Math 108, Precalculus,
On the other hand if you received a 4 or 5 on the AB Advanced Placement Test, you should take
Math 110, Calculus and Analytic Geometry II.

If you received a 4 or 5 on the BC Advanced Placement Test, you should take
Math 230, Elementary Linear Algebra.

If you have received AP Computer Science or the equivalent credit, you should take the second CS course, CS 112, Introduction to Computer Science II instead of CS 110. If you need help deciding you can email us.

For your next course, we recommend that you register for a Rhetoric and Composition course. Developing good writing skills is essential to your success in all the classes you will take at USF.  You should know which class to register for. If you do not, please review the tutorial by clicking on the Tab Rhetoric and Composition.

There are several options for your remaining classes:
One good option is BSDS 100; Introduction to Data Science with R. This course serves as both an overview of the field of data science, and as an introduction to the software package R. Itês also a required class in the Data Science Core.

All Data Science majors whose native language is English must take two semesters of a foreign language. You may also take a foreign language placement test to determine your level of competency. If you are placed in the third semester of a language, you have completed your foreign language requirement. It is a good idea to complete this requirement while the language is fresh in your mind. We recommend that you fulfill the foreign language requirement in your first year at USF.


You can also enroll in a first-year seminar or a transfer year seminar.  These seminars serve as a great introduction to the academic environment at USF and will fulfill a Core requirement.
Or, you can choose any other core course such as History, Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Ethics, or Visual and Performing Arts.
There are also many 1-2 credit courses that you may like to consider.
A College success course
A Physical activity course
A Computer Science course
You can get involved in play production
Or you can join a choir or vocal group
Once you have selected your classes, your schedule should resemble something like this.

For freshman:
1.  CS 110 Intro to Computer Science I
2.  RHET 110 Written Communication I
3.  MATH 109 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
4.  BSDS 100 Intro to Data Science with R

Or for transfers: 
1.  CS 112 Intro to Computer Science II
2.  RHET 250 Academic Writing at USF
3.  MATH 110 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
4.  BSDS 100 Intro to Data Science with R

If you are a transfer student, you may have completed some of these courses. It is important for you to review your degree evaluation to determine which courses you need to complete. 

Spend some time navigating the Schedule of Classes to familiarize yourself with the layout of the website.  Look for courses that you would like to register for, including specific sections. Spend some time doing this to find a schedule that works for you.  You should also keep a back up list in case some classes are closed.

If you have any questions, please contact us.
data.science@usfca.edu
415.422.6530

We look forward to meeting you during our Orientation to your Major workshop.  During this workshop we will review the major and you will have the opportunity to meet faculty and fellow students.

Welcome to USF!