Hi, I am Prof. Daniel Jerison. I want to welcome you to the Data Science major and help you select your courses.

A student typically registers for 16-18 credits per semester: four 4-credit courses and perhaps 1 or 2 credits of extracurricular activities.

LetÕs talk about which courses to choose for your first semester. As a Data Science major, you should start with one math class and one computer science class.

The math class should be one of these:

Math 108, Precalculus
Math 109, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
Math 110, Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
Math 230, Elementary Linear Algebra

Unless you already have AP or college credit, your first step should be to take the USF Math Diagnostic Test. That test will place you into Math 108, Precalculus, or Math 109, Calculus I. If you have an SAT Math score of at least 500 or an ACT Math score of at least 19, you can skip the Math Diagnostic Test and place directly into Precalculus. But if you want to start with Calculus, you need to take the diagnostic test.

If you took AP Calculus AB and scored a 4 or 5 on the AP test, you should start in Math 110, Calculus II. Likewise if you have transferred and passed Calculus I at your previous college or university.

If you took AP Calculus BC and scored a 4 or 5 on the AP test, you should start in Math 230, Elementary Linear Algebra. Likewise if you have transferred and passed Calculus II at your previous college or university.

For your computer science class, most Data Science majors start with CS 110, Intro to Computer Science. If you have previous programming experience, you can choose to take the USF Computer Science Placement Test. A high enough score on this test will place you into CS 111, Foundations of Program Design, or CS 112, Intro to Computer Science II. Or, if you scored at least 3 on the AP Computer Science A test, you can place directly into CS 111. Transfer students who took computer science courses at your previous institution may place into CS 111, CS 112, or CS 245, Data Structures and Algorithms.

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.  Remember to complete the Directed Self Placement so you know which Rhetoric and Composition course to register for.

That makes three classes so far: math, computer science, rhetoric and composition. There are several options for your last class.

One good option is BSDS 100, Introduction to Data Science. This course serves both as an overview of the field of data science and as an introduction to writing code for analyzing and visualizing data. It is also a required class for the Data Science major.

Another option is a foreign language course. All Data Science majors whose native language is English must demonstrate second semester proficiency in a foreign language. I recommend that you start early to complete this requirement. Alternatively, you may 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.

Or, you can choose any other core course such as Literature, History, Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Ethics, Social Science, or Visual and Performing Arts. One of the great things about college is the wide variety of different subjects you can learn about. Your first year is the perfect time to explore. So, if thereÕs some topic youÕre interested in, go find a class in that subject. And if that class fulfills a core requirement, so much the better.

Once you have selected your classes, your schedule should resemble something like this.

For first year students:
1.  CS 110, Intro to Computer Science
2.  RHET 110, Written Communication I
3.  MATH 109, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
4.  BSDS 100, Intro to Data Science

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

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.

If you have any questions, please contact us.
data.science@usfca.edu
415.422.6747

We look forward to meeting you during Orientation. During Orientation, we will review the major and you will have the opportunity to meet faculty and fellow students.

Welcome to USF!