The undergraduate Data Science Certificate (DSC) program provides students and industry professionals with training in modern computational tools for manipulating, visualizing, and extracting insights from data. This programming-intensive program prepares students to work in the high-demand, lucrative field of data science.
DSC is offered by the Department of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS), in collaboration with the Hawaii Data Science Institute and other data-intensive departments at UH Manoa.
Requirements
Students must complete 18 credits of required and elective courses. Full-time students will typically complete the certificate in one year (two semesters), while part-time students will likely take longer.
Required Courses (12 credits)
- ICS 235: Machine Learning Methods
- ICS 484: Data Visualization
- ICS 434: Data Science Fundamentals
- ICS 435: Machine Learning Fundamentals
These core courses are offered at least once every year. Elective courses may be offered less regularly. To enroll in ICS 434 and 484 without the standard prerequisites, DSC students should request overrides from the instructors of those courses. Students may substitute required courses with additional elective courses if they demonstrate proficiency in the topics covered, at the discretion of the DSC Program Committee.
Electives Courses (6 credits)
- ATMO/CEE/SUST 449 Climate Modeling, Data Analysis & Applications
- ERTH 413 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis
- BIOL 483/MBBE 483 Bioinformatics
- PHYS 305 Computational Physics
- EE 345 Linear Algebra and Machine Learning
- MATH 372 Elementary Probability and Statistics
- MATH 472 Statistical Inference
- ECON 425 Introduction to Econometrics
- ECON 427 Economic Forecasting
- ICS 438 Big Data Analytics
- ICS 422 Network Science Methodology
Additional electives identified by students may be considered through a petitioning process, whose approval can be conducted in collaboration with the affected departments.
Prerequisites and Eligibility
- Applicants must have completed a calculus course that covers limits, derivatives, partial derivatives, and integrals.
- Applicants must have completed a programming course that covers basic data types, program control structure, and functions.
- Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Applicants are ineligible for the certificate if they already have a B.S. in CS or Math with the Data Science specialization. Similarly, students with a certificate in Data Science from UH Hilo are ineligible.
How to Register
This program is open to: (1) unclassified students (professionals), and (2) undergraduate students in any department. Students should declare their intention to pursue the certificate as early as possible by registering here. This will allow us to add you to the program mailing lists for advising, special events, and employment opportunities. It will also help us better adapt class sizes to meet demand.
Students at UH do not need to apply. After taking the required courses, they can request the certificate from the Department of Information & Computer Sciences. They will need to meet with the ICS undergraduate advisor to go over the certificate verification form. It is highly encouraged to meet with the ICS undergraduate advisor at the beginning of your studies to create an academic plan to complete the certificate requirements.
Non-UH-students must apply to UH as an unclassified post-baccalaureate student in order to enroll in courses. The cost as of AY 2022-2023 is $650 per credit for Resident and $1402 per credit for Non-Resident (See Tuition Schedule website). There is a flat rate when students meet full time status (8crs +). The full time status tuition is $7,800 for Resident and $16,824 for Non-Resident. This cost does not include school fees which are about ~$400.
Verification
When students are ready to graduate, they must file a Verification of Minor or Certificate form with the ICS Academic Advisor, Kenny Quibilan (kennydq@hawaii.edu).
Pathways
The following information outlines when the courses are typically taught and example pathways for students to complete the courses depending on their career goals.
Red: Required courses Blue: Elective courses
| Fall | Spring |
| ICS 235 Machine Learning Methods ICS 484 Data Visualization | ICS 434 Data Science Fundamentals ICS 435 Machine Learning Fundamentals |
ICS 438 Big Data Analytics | ATMO/CEE/SUST 449 Climate Modeling, Data Analysis & Applications BIOL483/MBBE483 Bioinformatics PHYS 305 Computational Physics MATH 372 Elementary Probability and Statistics MATH 472 Statistical Inference. (cannot be in combo with MATH 372) ECON 425 Introduction to Econometrics ECON 427 Economic Forecasting ICS 422 Network Science Methodology |
Suggested Pathways
The following information outlines when the courses are typically taught and example pathways for students to complete the courses depending on their career goals.
Industry Data Scientist
| Fall | Spring |
| ICS 235 Machine Learning Methods ICS 484 Data Visualization ICS 438 Big Data Analytics | ICS 434 Data Science Fundamentals ICS 435 Machine Learning Fundamentals MATH 472 Statistical Inference |
Machine Learning Scientist
| Fall | Spring |
| ICS 235 Machine Learning Methods ICS 484 Data Visualization ICS 438 Big Data Analytics | ICS 434 Data Science Fundamentals ICS 435 Machine Learning Fundamentals MATH 472 Statistical Inference |
Bioinformatician
| Fall | Spring |
| ICS 235 Machine Learning Methods ICS 484 Data Visualization MATH 372 Elementary Probability and Statistics | ICS 434 Data Science Fundamentals ICS 435 Machine Learning Fundamentals BIOL 483/MBBE 483 Bioinformatics |
Contact Information
For assistance email us.