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Location: Science A Building, Room 229
Email address: prograd.science@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL:

The ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ offers the following programs in Data Science and Analytics:

• Master of Data Science and Analytics
• Graduate Certificate in Fundamental Data Science and Analytics
• Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics

Specializations offered under the Master of Data Science and Analytics and Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics:

• Health Data Science and Biostatistics
• Data Science
• Business Analytics

Master of Data Science and Analytics

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies admission requirements, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A four-year baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution;
• A minimum admission grade point average of 3.00 on a four-point scale or equivalent;
• The successful completion of the following undergraduate courses:
  • one course in computer programming or computer science or equivalent;
  • one course in statistics or equivalent, and
  • one course in either calculus or linear algebra or equivalent.

Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher will meet the minimum admission requirements for the Master of Data Science and Analytics.

Graduate Certificate in Data Science and Analytics and Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies admission requirements, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A four-year baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution;
• A minimum admission grade point average of 3.00 on a four-point scale or equivalent;
• The successful completion of the following undergraduate courses:
  • one course in computer programming (such as Computer Science 217, Computer Science 231, Data Science 211, or equivalent)
  • one course in statistics (such as Statistics 205, Statistics 217, Statistics 321, Statistics 327, or equivalent), and
  • one course in either calculus or linear algebra (such as Mathematics 249, 265, 275, or equivalent).

Students who successfully completed the Graduate Certificate in Fundamental Data Science and Analytics with a GPA of 3.00 or higher will meet the minimum admission requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics.

Note: In exceptional circumstances, individuals who do not meet formal academic requirements but who have significant life achievement may be considered for admission to this program (see Qualifications). The candidate must provide the Data Science Program Director with evidence demonstrating the potential to successfully undertake this certificate program. Such candidates may also be required to participate in an in-person interview with the Program Director.

The deadline for completed applications is available on the Future Students website:

Master of Data Science and Analytics:

Graduate certificate:

Graduate diploma:

Students who wish to use the graduate certificate as a pathway to "ladder" into the graduate diploma program must apply to the graduate diploma program by the stated deadline.

Students who wish to ladder from the diploma program into the master’s degree must apply to the master’s degree program by the stated deadline.

Master of Data Science and Analytics

Advanced credit may be given for a maximum of four 3-unit courses. See Advanced Credit.

Graduate Certificate in Fundamental Data Science and Analytics

Normally, advanced credit or advanced standing is not awarded.

Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics

Advanced Credit may be given for a maximum of two 3-unit courses. See Advanced Credit.

Advanced Standing may be considered for students with extensive preparation at the senior undergraduate or graduate level, in mathematics, statistics, and computer science. Students may be given advanced standing in a maximum of two 3-unit courses. Advanced standing exempts students from taking specific courses, but they are still required to complete the total of 24 units required for the Diploma. The applicant must make advanced standing and advanced credit requests as part of the admission process.

Graduate Certificate in Fundamental Data Science and Analytics

The Certificate requires 12 units of coursework consisting of:

• Data Science 601
• Data Science 602
• Data Science 603
• Data Science 604

Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics

The Diploma requires 24 units of course work consisting of:

a) 12 units of required courses:

• Data Science 601
• Data Science 602
• Data Science 603
• Data Science 604

b) 12 units of coursework in one specialization area:

Business Analytics Specialization

• Data Science 611
• Data Science 612
• Data Science 613
• Data Science 614

Health Data Science and Biostatistics Specialization

• Data Science 621
• Data Science 622
• Data Science 623
• Data Science 624

Data Science Specialization

• Data Science 605
• Data Science 606
• Data Science 607
• Data Science 608

Master of Data Science and Analytics

The Master of Data Science and Analytics requires 36 units of course work consisting of:

a) 12 units of required courses:

• Data Science 601
• Data Science 602
• Data Science 603
• Data Science 604

b) 12 units of coursework in one specialization area:

Business Analytics Specialization

• Data Science 611
• Data Science 612
• Data Science 613
• Data Science 614

Health Data Science and Biostatistics Specialization

• Data Science 621
• Data Science 622
• Data Science 623
• Data Science 624

Data Science Specialization

• Data Science 605
• Data Science 606
• Data Science 607
• Data Science 608

c) 12 units of:

• Data Science 691 and
• Data Science 693 or
• Data Science 695

*Note: Normally, students will be required to complete DATA 693. However, with the permission of the Data Science and Analytics Program Director, students may enroll in DATA 695.

Laddering from the Graduate Certificate to the Diploma, and from the Graduate Diploma to the Master of Data Science and Analytics

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Fundamental Data Science and Analytics may receive credit for the 12 units of coursework completed in the certificate program if they are subsequently accepted to the Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics program within five years of completing the certificate. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics may receive credit for the 24 units of coursework completed in the diploma program if they are subsequently accepted to the Master of Data Science and Analytics within five years of beginning the first credential in the laddering process.

Students may also choose to ladder from the Graduate Certificate in Fundamental Data Science and Analytics into the Master of Data Science and Analytics. Upon admission to the master's degree program, student may receive credit for the 12 units of coursework completed in the certificate program.

The expected completion time for the Master of Data Science and Analytics is 16 months. Students may accelerate their program and complete the Master of Data Science and Analytics in 12 months.

The maximum completion time for the Master of Data Science and Analytics is six years.

For students laddering from the certificate and/or the diploma program into the master’s, the maximum completion time for all laddered credentials is six years from the beginning of the first credential in the laddering process.

The expected completion time for the Graduate Certificate in Fundamental Data Science and Analytics is four months. The maximum completion time for the Certificate is three years from the start of the program.

The expected completion time for the Graduate Diploma in Data Science and Analytics is 8 months (direct entry, full-time), and 4 months or 8 months (part-time) for students laddering from the certificate program, depending on the schedule set for that cohort/specialization. The maximum completion time for the Diploma is three years from the start of the program.

An Academic Coordinator is assigned to each cohort in the master’s, certificate, and diploma programs.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section.