Lower Division Requirements

  1. Foundations: Data C8 or Stat 20*
  2. Programming: Data/CompSci C88C or CompSci 61A or Engin 7
  3. Probability: Data/Stat C88S or CivEng 93 or CompSci 70 or Math 10B or Math 55 (Stat 134, Data/Stat C140 , IndEng 172 or EECS 126 also accepted)

*Stat 20 only if combined with Data/CompSci C88C or CompSci 61A for Programming; may not be combined with Engin 7.

Upper Division Requirements

There are 2 pathways to completing the upper-division requirements in the Data Science minor. Both pathways require the same number of courses.

  • The Data C100 pathway expects background of at least 2 semesters of calculus and 1 semester of linear algebra. In its current implementation, Data 100 uses Python.
  • The Data C131A + Stat 133 pathway expects background of 1 semester of calculus. In its current implementation, Stat 131A and 133 use R.

  1. Gateway: Data C100* (same as CompSci/Stat C100) - Principles and Techniques of Data Science
  2. Human Contexts & Ethics: Choose one from: AmerSt/AfricAm 134 or C134, CyPlan 101, Data C104/History C184D/STS C104, DigHum 100, ESPM C167/PbHlth C160, Info 188, ISF 100J, NwMedia 151AC, Philos 121, PolEcon 159
  3. Electives: Choose one elective from the approved list
  4. Electives: Choose a second elective from the approved list

*The enforced prerequisites for Data C100 are Data C8 and one from CS 61A, Data C88C or Engin 7. The enforced co-requisite is Math 54 or 56 or EECS 16A.

  1. Gateway: Data/Stat C131A (enroll in Stat C131A*)
  2. Gateway: Stat 133
  3. Human Contexts & Ethics: Choose one from: AmerSt/AfricAm 134 or C134, CyPlan 101, Data C104/History C184D/STS C104, DigHum 100, ESPM C167/PbHlth C160, Info 188, ISF 100J, NwMedia 151AC, Philos 121, PolEcon 159
  4. Electives: Choose an elective from the approved list

*Note that Data/Stat C131A may not be offered every semester.

Grading Rules

  1. All courses for the minor must be taken for a letter grade.
  2. Students must earn a C- or better in each course, and have a minimum 2.0 GPA in all courses towards the minor.

The Minor in Data Science at UC Berkeley aims to provide students with practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of data analysis, as well as the ability to think critically about the construction and implications of data analysis and models. The minor will empower students across the wide array of campus disciplines with a working knowledge of statistics, probability, and computation that allow students not just to participate in data science projects, but to design and carry out rigorous computational and inferential analysis for their field of interest. The minor in Data Science has been approved for all undergraduate students (except those pursuing a BA in Data Science).

Learn more about the Data Science minor

This brief video covers the minor requirements, including key differences between the 2 upper-division pathways. 

How to Earn a Minor in Data Science

Eligibility: In order to declare the Data Science Minor, you must have: 

  • Data C8 or Stat 20 completed with a C- or better (final grade posted), and 

  • 2 additional courses toward the minor, either completed or in progress in the current term

Applying: Submit your application

Deadline to declare: You must submit your application to declare the Data Science minor prior to the first day of classes of your Expected Graduation Term. For Summer graduates, the deadline to declare a minor is anytime prior to the first day of classes for Summer Session A. If you have missed the deadline but are enrolled in all required courses to complete the minor, please consult with a Data Science Advisor about your options.

Requirements to earn the minor: All 7 courses completed with a letter grade of C- or better in each, and a 2.0 overall GPA in the minor by the end of your final term

Process to verify completion:

  1. During your final semester, fill out the Data Science Minor Completion [PDF] form and obtain a signature from your Major Advisor to verify any overlapping classes. Students with more than one major should complete one form for each major.
  2. Scan and submit your completed and signed form here [Google form].
  3. Data Science advisors will review your Completion form after final grades are available. If approved, the Data Science minor will appear on your UC Berkeley transcript and diploma.

Deadline to submit Completion form: You must submit your Data Science Minor Completion form by the last day of classes in your Expected Graduation Term in order to ensure processing before degrees are awarded.

Forms will not be accepted earlier than the term in which you expect to graduate, regardless of when you complete the requirements for the minor.

The Data Science Minor has DIFFERENT Overlap Rules from Other Minors

  • Students may overlap up to 1 course in the upper division requirements for the Data Science minor with each of their majors
  • For example, a Computer Science major may count DATA/COMPSCI/STAT C100 toward both their major and the Data Science minor.

  • A maximum of one course offered by or cross-listed with the student’s major department(s) may count toward the data science minor upper-division requirements, including any overlapping course. Please pay attention to any course which may be cross-listed (e.g. Data C100 is cross-listed with CS and Stat).
  • For example, if a Computer Science major takes DATA/COMPSCI/STAT C100 toward the Data Science minor, this is the only COMPSCI, ELENG, or EECS course which may count toward the upper-division requirements for the minor.

*Please also be sure to check with your home College about any overlap rules that may apply to minors. If your College has a different policy, the most restrictive policy applies.

  • An upper-division course used to fulfill a lower-division requirement (for example, Stat 134 to fulfill the probability requirement) will not be counted toward the maximum 1 course allowed to overlap with the major, nor will it fulfill one of the four upper division course requirements.
  • There is no restriction on overlap with another minor.
  • Students may not earn both a BA in Data Science and a minor in Data Science. 

Exceptions and Appeals

  • Based on changes authorized by L&S policy, courses completed at UC Berkeley with a grade of Pass in FALL 2022 will count toward Data Science major requirements, including prerequisites to declare the major. See the L&S Fall 2022 Late Grading Option Change Modification for more information. 
  • Based on changes authorized by L&S policy, courses completed at UC Berkeley with a grade of Pass in SPRING 2020, FALL 2020, SPRING 2021 and SUMMER 2021 will count toward Data Science major requirements, including prerequisites to declare the major. Please see the L&S P/NP policy modifications for more information.

If you have missed the deadline to declare but are enrolled in all required courses to complete the minor, please consult with a Data Science Advisor about your options.

FAQs

How do I determine which pathway is right for me?

While both pathways entail taking the same number of upper-division courses, Data C100 has a Linear Algebra corequisite (typically Math 54 or Math 56 if taken at UC Berkeley). Therefore, Data C100 does require a year of Calculus (Math 51 and Math 52) and Linear Algebra, whereas STAT C131A has a Math 51 prerequisite.

Data C100 is taught using Python, while Stat C131A and 133 are taught using R in their current iteration. Python and R are powerful programming languages that have evolved to serve different purposes and are used across many industries and sectors. Depending on your goals and the skills you wish to develop, you may find that one is a better fit over the other. 

To help you decide, consider:

Your math background and comfort level - Are you prepared for the additional math requirements in the Data C100 pathway? Do you have time to fit these prerequisites in?
Your career interests - Do you seek to learn more about a general-purpose language that can handle many types of projects (Python), or a specialized tool designed specifically for statistical computing (R)?
Talk to professionals - Connect with people working in fields that interest you to learn which tools they use most.

 

The overlap rules allow a maximum of 1 course offered by or cross-listed with the department of your major to count toward the upper-division requirements, regardless of whether the course is meeting any requirements in your major. Because Data Science is very interdisciplinary and spans many subject areas, our faculty feel that you will benefit most from the minor if you expand your knowledge and skill set beyond the area(s) in which you are already pursuing a major.

Linear algebra is an enforced requisite to enroll in Data C100 but is not required for the Data Science minor, so a letter grade is not required.

  • While the requirements for the Data Science minor appear on the Academic Progress Report, it may not accurately reflect the minor overlap policies. Please check with a Data Science advisor if you have questions or are not sure which classes you can overlap with your major(s).

  • Once declared, the Data Science minor will appear on your CalCentral dashboard and your Academic Progress Report. Please note that courses listed on the Academic Progress Report may not accurately reflect the minor overlap policies. 
  • Once completed and verified, the Data Science minor will appear on your UC Berkeley transcript and diploma.