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School Welcomes New Class of 125 B.S. in Data Science Students
This fall, the University of Virginia School of Data Science welcomed its newest undergraduate class: 125 students pursuing the B.S. in Data Science (BSDS). Launched in 2023 as the first undergraduate degree of its kind at a major research university, the three-year program continues to attract talented, diverse, and ambitious students from across the country and around the globe.
“We wanted to make the undergraduate experience as comprehensive as possible and also allow students space to take those skills and apply them,” said Brian Wright, director of undergraduate programs.
A Diverse and Accomplished Cohort
The incoming BSDS students hail from Virginia and beyond, with non-resident students joining from South Carolina, New York, Rhode Island, California, Vermont, Maryland, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oregon, North Carolina, and Delaware. The cohort also reflects UVA’s growing global reach, with international students from Thailand, India, China, and South Korea.
Each student brings unique experiences and perspectives that enrich the program’s collaborative learning environment. Among them are a licensed private pilot, a children’s picture book author, a cadet in UVA’s Army ROTC program, a former intern on Capitol Hill, a park ranger for the Virginia State Park system, and a performer who has played both Sebastian and King Triton in separate productions of The Little Mermaid.
Exploring What Data Science Means
For many students, the appeal of the BSDS program lies in the opportunity to define data science for themselves. One student, Audrey Stelle, was inspired by the introductory course DS 1001, where the final project asks each class to answer a deceptively simple question: “What is Data Science?” They described being drawn to “a field that cannot be easily defined or put into a box,” seeing data science as the practice of transforming information into a tool that can be applied across domains — from hospitals and museums to laboratories and courtrooms.
Helen Bedsole, another student, reflected on the ethical responsibilities that come with the field. Fascinated by human behavior but wary of unchecked technology, they emphasized the importance of informed consent and protecting personal data. “Technology is not neutral,” the student said. “To me, technology should serve people, not use them.”
A Pathway for the Future
The BSDS degree offers students a comprehensive, three-year curriculum that blends computing, statistics, and mathematics with hands-on research opportunities, internships, and interdisciplinary electives. Students progress as a cohort, beginning with foundational coursework before advancing into specialized data science classes and capstone projects.
As laid out in the “4 + 1 model,” the School of Data Science frames the curriculum around four domains — Systems, Analytics, Design, and Data + Society — which are then applied through a fifth domain: Practice. Core concentrations, study-abroad options, and room for electives in the final year allow students to tailor their studies to their interests.
“From their first semester onward, BSDS students are immersed in the questions that shape the future of the field,” Wright said. “We try and make it very approachable for a wide variety of backgrounds.”
