Announcing the new major in Data Science

Offering both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) 

An analytical and quantitative foundation for tackling data driven problems in science, industry, and society

B.S. in Data Science

Formerly named Mathematical & Computational Science, a degree program for students who want to master the foundations of data science in mathematics,  statistics, computer science, and optimization, confidently deploying their skills to innovative lines of inquiry.

B.A. in Data Science & Social Systems

A new degree program for students who want to work at the intersection of computer science, statistics, and the social sciences to understand human behavior and tackle social problems.

Directors' Message

Dear Students,

Welcome!  We are thrilled to launch the new undergraduate majors in Data Science (B.S.) and Data Science & Social Systems (B.A.).

It is an exciting time to study data science at Stanford. Work across nearly all domains is becoming more data-driven: this impacts science, industry, and government, affecting both the jobs available and the skills they require. As more data becomes available and the computational capacity increases, our economy, society, and daily life will become even more dependent on our ability to systematically learn from this data.

Across campus, students, faculty, and researchers are using data science to gain new insights into their fields. Construction is underway for the Stanford Data Science & Computation Complex, our future home. This new building is dedicated to fostering collaboration, innovation, and world-class research in data science and its many applications.  Our new majors leverage this collective work and energy, bringing together faculty from across the university to teach courses, advise students, and create exciting opportunities for research and application.  

As a graduate of our program, you will know how and when to use tools from mathematics, computer science, statistics, engineering, and the social sciences. You will appreciate the ethical and moral considerations in the use of data and technology. With the freedom to explore your interests across departments, you will have developed your own passions and shaped an intellectual pathway - ranging from cutting-edge machine learning algorithms to the applications of data science to advance sustainability. As part of your capstone, you will have conducted meaningful research or partnered with government or community organizations to apply data science to important social challenges.  You will be ready to be a next-generation leader in this exciting field. 

Please explore our majors and reach out if you have any questions.  We are glad you are here.  Let's dive in - there's exciting work to do!

All the best,

Professor Guenther Walther, Faculty Director of the B.S. in Data Science

Professor Chiara Sabatti, Associate Director of the B.S. in Data Science

Professor Jeremy Weinstein, Faculty Director of the B.A. in Data Science

Dr. Mallory Nobles, Associate Director of the B.A. in Data Science

 

Events

October
3
Date
Tuesday, October 3, 2023. 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location
Zoom

Join us for an information session on Stanford's new capstone requirement and how it relates to the program. 

RSVP…

October
10
Date
Tuesday, October 10, 2023. 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location
Mackenzie Room
Huang Engineering Center

Please join Stanford Data Science for their Fall Distinguished Lecture on Thursday, October 10, with…

October
12
Date
Thursday, October 12, 2023. 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location
Sequoia Hall Courtyard (behind building, by Sequoia 100)

Please join us for Fall Festivities on Thursday, October 12 at 3pm! This event is open to everyone and a great place for majors, minors and…

News

The Statistics Department is revamping the way it teaches introductory probability.
At the end of the Program in Data Science’s inaugural year, the team has decided to make some small changes to requirements for the 2023-2024 academic year. These changes will go into effect for students who declare the major on or after September 1, 2023.*

Jeremy Weinstein is the faculty director of the BA in Data Science and Social Systems and a professor of political science. Mallory Nobles, right, is the...

The gateway course for the new Data Science & Social Systems major blends a social science approach rooted in understanding causal inference and an engineering approach to algorithmic design.  (Stanford Report)
Dear Data Science and MCS Majors,
We’d like to invite our students to have lunch with one of the members of our leadership team for the Data Science Program (B.S. & B.A.) and MCS!
Both the new design major and the new data science majors were announced during the 2022-2023 academic year. The Stanford Daily spoke with current and prospective students to hear their thoughts.