DEPARTMENT of MATHEMATICS and STATISTICS
Data Science Major
Big data, cloud infrastructure and machine learning are transforming how we understand and navigate our world. In this interdisciplinary program, you learn to analyze complex data, uncover patterns and turn raw numbers into powerful insights.
Gain hands-on experience in mathematics, statistics, computer science and business strategy and use that experience to drive smarter decision-making and real-world change.
What to expect
You start with the fundamentals—computer science, math, statistics and business—building a strong foundation for data analysis. As you progress through the program, you tackle more advanced topics, like machine learning, optimization and statistical modeling. Once you master programming languages, such as Python, SQL and R, and key statistical techniques, you are ready to take on big data challenges.
Learning by doing is a key part of this major. Through a capstone course, community-based projects and research assignments, you apply theory to practice. You manage every stage of a project, from formulating problems and collecting data, to analyzing and interpreting results. In an optional, work-integrated learning course, you get hands-on experience in the field as an intern with a local business. Supported by a faculty mentor and an industry supervisor, you work on a specific project—and may even land summer employment with the same company.
Your future
The Data Science major prepares you to enter the workforce in fields such as medical and educational research, public administration, resource management, telecommunications, finance, manufacturing and more.
In this major, you learn to:
- collect, organize and interpret data
- use programming languages effectively (e.g., Python and R)
- build machine learning models for data-driven prediction and decision-making
- analyze data to find patterns and insights
- communicate data insights through reports, presentations and storytelling
- understand the ethical and business impacts of data science
The Data Sciences major prepares you to enter the workforce with plenty of hands-on experience. You can apply for jobs as a(n):
- data scientist
- database analyst
- data administrator
- information technology specialist
- data processing specialist
- machine learning specialist
We recommend these resources to learn more about working in the data sciences field:
- Careers and Experience: Career counselling and support from MacEwan career development specialists
- The Data Science Network for the Federal Public Service: a collaborative community that enhances data science capacity and method sharing across the Government of Canada to improve automation and data utilization.
The Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) has detailed occupational profiles, salary survey data, trend reports and assessment tools to help you choose and plan a career that matches your skills and interests.
Courses and requirements
This major is open to students in the Bachelor of Science. Courses for your major are only one component of the degree requirements to graduate. To see all courses required for the major, check the program of study in the academic calendar.
Requirements can change from year to year. You follow the program of study outlined in MacEwan University’s academic calendar for the year you declare your major/minor or the year you are accepted into an honours program.
Academic advisors in the Faculty of Arts and Science have prepared resources to help you understand how your major/minor fits within overall degree coursework. Consult the academic planning information to choose and enrol in courses and complete the major/minor declaration process.