Bachelor of Data Science (BDS)

With a focus on artificial intelligence (ai), computer science and practical statistics, project-based courses and experiential learning, carleton’s new bachelor of data science (bds) will prepare you for a rewarding career. 

Degree Information

• Data Science is at the intersection of three domains: computer science, mathematics and statistics, and application (e.g. business, social science, health).
• The insights of data and analytics influence our everyday lives, from streaming service algorithms to the life altering decisions made by science, industry and government. Data Science combines the practical application of mathematics, statistics, computer science and analytics. It is the study of how to extract value from captured or simulated data to infer knowledge from patterns. Data scientists form questions, design the collection and storage of data, write reliable and fast code for wrangling datasets, utilize inferential statistics, machine learning and AI to analyze the data, and present the translated results in a responsible, reproducible and actionable way.
• In our data-driven world, there is a clear need for individuals from this field who can think analytically, creatively and leverage AI and big data to aid in decision-making. Learn to synthesize and apply statistical and computer science skillsets to ethically extract knowledge and insights from data. The Data Science program has a basis in data wrangling, inferential statistics, analytics, AI, big data and data ethics.

Work Experience

• A Co-op option is available. Co-op is the opportunity to get a head start on a career. Co-op work terms allow for the development of key employability skills, exploration of career options and graduation with tangible, workplace experience.

Strong Professional Network

• Carleton is heavily involved in Ottawa’s tech sector. Our annual Data Day showcases the work of Carleton researchers and data science experts, and discusses the cutting-edge research and current developments in data science. The Institute for Data Science has an industrial advisory committee with members from IFS, Kx Systems, Shopify, IBM, TACTIX, MindBridge AI, Interset, the Ottawa Police Service, the City of Ottawa, and Statistics Canada, as well as corporate members of the Institute such as Cisco Systems, Invest Ottawa, and CANARIE.

Concentrations

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): The concentration in AI allows you to learn more about computer science theory and AI.
• Statistics: For students looking to increase their knowledge of inferential statistics and the theory behind it.

Career Outcomes

• Explore your passions, refine new skills and discover the career that’s right for you.
• Data Science graduates will find careers across various fields such as information technology, retail, real estate, financial services, and media and communications. Graduates could be hired in positions in any field with evidence-based or data-driven decision-making. Some Honours students will go on to the master’s programs: Computer Science; Data Science, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence; or Statistics.

Sample Careers

• AI Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Big Data Analytics
• Business
• Business Intelligence Engineer
• Communications
• Data Analysts
• Data Analytics
• Data Architect
• Data Engineer
• Data Ethics
• Data Scientist
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Media
• Statistics