DATA SCIENCE
Certificate of Achievement Computer Science · Cuesta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Data Science Certificate of Achievement provides students with a focused foundation in statistics, programming, and data analysis. This program is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their technical skills for immediate application in the workplace or to build a stepping-stone toward further study in data science and related fields. Students will gain practical experience working with datasets, applying statistical methods, and using modern programming tools to solve real-world problems. This certificate program emphasizes hands-on learning and career-relevant skills. Students will learn to clean, organize, and visualize data, apply statistical techniques, and develop basic predictive and classification models. Coursework integrates the use of widely used programming languages such as Python, R, and/or SQL, preparing students for entry-level roles in data analysis, business intelligence, or related areas. The program is well-suited for those looking to upskill for their current profession, prepare for entry into the data workforce, or lay the groundwork for further academic study in data science, computer science, statistics, or related fields.
Learning Outcome(s):
- Apply data preprocessing, exploratory data analysis, and statistical methods to clean, transform, visualize, and interpret data.
- Apply programming, mathematical foundations, and machine learning techniques to develop models, identify patterns, and generate predictions.
- Assess the limitations and ethical considerations of data science practices and communicate findings using industry-standard tools.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (22 units) | 22 | |
| MATH 265A | CALCULUS I | 5 |
| MATH 265B | CALCULUS II | 5 |
| CS 231 | FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE I | 4 |
| CS 232 | FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE II | 2 |
| CS 233 | FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE III | 2 |
| MATH 248 | FOUNDATIONS OF DATA SCIENCE | 4 |
| Elective Courses (Select at least 8 units from the following) | 8-10 | |
| MATH 283 | CALCULUS III: MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS | 5 |
| MATH 287 | ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS AND LINEAR ALGEBRA | 5 |
| CS 201 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE | 3 |
| CS 240 | MICROCOMPUTER ARCHITECTURE & PROGRAMMING | 3 |
| CS 241 | DISCRETE STRUCTURES | 3 |
| CS 217 | ''C'' PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE | 3 |
| CS 225 | CLOUD DATABASES | 2 |
| ENGR 210 | COMPUTATIONAL METHODS FOR ENGINEERS | 3 |
| PSYC 200 | RESEARCH METHODS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | 3 |
| PHIL 213 | PHILOSOPHICAL CLASSICS IN ETHICS AND SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY | 3 |
| STAT C1000 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS | 4 |
| GEOL 230 | INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS | 3 |
| One of the following | 4 | |
| CIS 210 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER APPLICATIONS | 4 |
| orAGB 210 | INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURAL COMPUTER APPLICATIONS | 4 |
| Total | 30-32 | |