Data Science

University of Waterloo

Computing and Software: blue ink subject illustration

Optional co-op · six scheduled work terms
Work experience
Optional co-op · six scheduled work terms
Waterloo Data Science · direct entry, courses and outcomes
~Individual selection from the mid-80s
Entering average
Published approximate guidance: Individual selection from the mid-80s. Fall 2027 application guidance. Ontario direct application to Data Science. Waterloo uses a different range for Computer Science.
Waterloo Data Science direct entry · Ontario admissions

Deadlines

November 2026

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Next deadlineThursday, November 19, 2026

OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades
2027 entry
School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.
Official deadline

Other deadline details

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
No single OUAC deadline
University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply

Full source wording

Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.

SourceChecked Aug 14, 2026

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

MHF4UAdvanced Functions
MCV4UCalculus and Vectors
ENG4U / EAE4UAny Grade 12 U English

Complete a secondary school diploma and six Grade 12 U or M courses. Include another Grade 12 U course in addition to the three named prerequisites.

Application steps

Entry terms · Fall 2027

September 2027 direct Data Science applicants

Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
Waterloo Data Science direct entry · Ontario admissionsWaterloo Data Science direct entry · Ontario admissions
Step 2Apply through OUAC
- Create your application and select this program.
OUACOUAC
Step 3Declaration of Academic Experience (DAE)
- Complete the DAE in the Waterloo applicant portal. It updates your checklist with any required documents.
Waterloo required documentsWaterloo required documents
Step 4Select Data Science directly in OUAC.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Waterloo Data Science direct entry · Ontario admissionsWaterloo Data Science direct entry · Ontario admissions
Step 5Complete the Declaration of Academic Experience.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Waterloo Data Science direct entry · Ontario admissionsWaterloo Data Science direct entry · Ontario admissions
Step 6Submit the AIF, Faculty of Mathematics supplementary form and any requested documents.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Waterloo Data Science direct entry · Ontario admissionsWaterloo Data Science direct entry · Ontario admissions

AIF and Faculty of Mathematics supplementary form.

Applicant pathways

Later entry from Mathematics

Current Faculty of Mathematics students

Apply after successfully completing at least ten courses and CS 136.
The department lists at least 65% in math courses, 70% in Computer Science and 60% overall. Admission is competitive.

BCS Data Science

Later choice for Computer Science students

Apply to Computer Science for first-year entry. BCS Data Science has its own plan admission and course rules.

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements

Complete at least 20.0 units overall, including at least 14.25 math units and at least 5.0 non-math units.
Complete the BMath degree requirements and the full Data Science academic plan. A single course cannot satisfy multiple requirements in the plan.

References

Program facts

Entering average~Individual selection from the mid-80s

Ontario direct application to Data Science. Waterloo uses a different range for Computer Science.

Co-opOptional co-op · six scheduled work terms

Check work experience options

Courses

1A · Fall example3 listed

Also take one communication course and one elective. Advanced courses may be available.

MATH 135Algebra for Honours Mathematics0.5 units
Develop proof techniques and apply them to integers, complex numbers and polynomials.
Waterloo calendar · MATH135
MATH 137Calculus 1 for Honours Mathematics0.5 units
Study limits, derivatives, integrals and applications of single-variable calculus.
Waterloo calendar · MATH137
CS 135Designing Functional Programs0.5 units
Design, test and document functional programs using structured data and recursion.
Waterloo calendar · CS135

1B · Winter example5 listed

Take one elective or STAT 230 plus one elective. The sample course schedule can vary.

MATH 136Linear Algebra 1 for Honours Mathematics0.5 units
Use vectors, matrices and linear transformations to solve linear algebra problems.
Waterloo calendar · MATH136
MATH 138Calculus 2 for Honours Mathematics0.5 units
Extend single-variable calculus through integration, series and related applications.
Waterloo calendar · MATH138
CS 136Elementary Algorithm Design and Data Abstraction0.5 units
Design algorithms and work with data abstraction, efficiency, memory and imperative programming.
Waterloo calendar · CS136
CS 136LTools and Techniques for Software Development0.25 units
Practice command-line tools, version control, testing and debugging.
Waterloo calendar · CS136L
STAT 230Probability0.5 units
Use probability models and distributions to analyze uncertainty.
Waterloo calendar · STAT230

Upper years · Required plan courses11 listed

These are required across the degree. Use the calendar for alternatives and the full plan.

CS 230Introduction to Computers and Computer Systems0.5 units
Study how computers represent data, execute instructions and organize their hardware and system software.
Waterloo calendar · CS230
CS 231Algorithmic Problem Solving0.5 units
Analyze algorithmic problem-solving techniques and evaluate their efficiency.
Waterloo calendar · CS231
CS 234Data Types and Structures0.5 units
Choose and implement data types and structures for efficient computation.
Waterloo calendar · CS234
CS 338Computer Applications in Business: Databases0.5 units
Work with relational databases and queries in business applications.
Waterloo calendar · CS338
CS 431Data-Intensive Distributed Analytics0.5 units
Study techniques for processing and analyzing large datasets across distributed systems.
Waterloo calendar · CS431
DATSC 401Capstone in Data Science0.5 units
Apply statistical and computational tools to a data science project.
Waterloo calendar · DATSC401
ENGL 378Professional Communications in Statistics and Actuarial Science0.5 units
Communicate statistical and actuarial results in professional written and oral forms.
Waterloo calendar · ENGL378
PHIL 228Ethics and Artificial Intelligence0.5 units
Consider ethical issues raised by artificial intelligence and its use.
Waterloo calendar · PHIL228
STAT 331Applied Linear Models0.5 units
Fit and assess linear models, including regression models.
Waterloo calendar · STAT331
STAT 341Computational Statistics and Data Analysis0.5 units
Use statistical computing to explore, model and analyze data.
Waterloo calendar · STAT341
STAT 442Data Visualization0.5 units
Build and evaluate visual representations of data.
Waterloo calendar · STAT442

Elective choices

Choose eligible options in differential equations, optimization, upper-year statistics and machine learning as set out in the Data Science calendar.

Study routes

Apply directly to Honours BMath Data Science. Waterloo also publishes later entry from Mathematics and a separate BCS Data Science plan for Computer Science students.