Program Overview – Data Science and Analytics Thrust

General Information

Introduction

Leaning Outcome

Program of Study

Award Title

Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Big Data Technology

Mode of Study

Full-time

Teaching Language

English

Duration

4 years

Tuition Fee

RMB 50,000-100,000 per academic year

Fees and Scholarships

View

Offering Unit

Data Science and Analytics Thrust, Information Hub

Program Director

Xiaowen CHU, Professor of Data Science and Analytics Thrust

Program Coordinator

Jia LI, Assistant Professor of Data Science and Analytics Thrust

The Data Science and Big Data Technology undergraduate program is a core offering within the Data Science and Analytics thrust at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). It was established in response to national strategic priorities and global technological advancements. As an interdisciplinary field integrating computer science, statistics, and mathematics, the program focuses on the fundamental theories and innovative applications of big data. It aims to address critical challenges across the entire data lifecycle, including acquisition, storage, analysis, mining, and security.

Leveraging the strategic advantages of the Greater Bay Area and its extensive industrial resources, DSA thrust integrates world-class research platforms, including the Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Integrated Communication, Sensing and computation for Ubiquitous loT and the Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Big Data Intelligence, making significant breakthroughs in areas such as data-driven machine learning, high-performance data analytics systems, graph databases, and medical data intelligence.

The program boasts a distinguished international faculty team, including five national high-level talents, one ACM Fellow, four IEEE Fellows, and eight scholars ranked among Stanford’s top 2% of global scientists. Over the past year, the faculty has published more than 150 papers in top-tier journals and conferences and secured over 110 patents, providing students with strong academic support and innovative guidance.

With the rapid growth of the digital economy and the increasing demand for intelligent solutions across industries, professionals specializing in data science and big data technology have become an essential global resource. Graduates of this program will have diverse career pathways, including:

Industry Leaders: Driving digital transformation in technology, finance, healthcare, logistics, and other sectors as data scientists, algorithm engineers, and business intelligence analysts.
Research Innovators: Pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees at top global universities and research institutions, making contributions to cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, IoT, and the metaverse.
Policy and Strategy Experts: Applying data-driven insights in government think tanks, smart city development, and sustainability initiatives, shaping policies and driving innovation.
Technology Transfer Specialists: Serving as a vital link between academia and industry, facilitating technological commercialization and industrial advancements through industry-academia collaboration.

Backed by HUKST and HKUST(GZ)’s global reputation, the industrial ecosystem of the Greater Bay Area, and strong partnerships with leading enterprises, this program offers exceptional opportunities for internships, employment, and entrepreneurship. Graduates will be well-positioned to lead in an era driven by data and innovation.

This program is designed to cultivate a new generation of interdisciplinary data science professionals with a global perspective and a strong sense of social responsibility. Students will develop expertise in data modeling, algorithm design, machine learning, statistical inference, and large-scale data processing, equipping them with interdisciplinary analytical skills to tackle complex challenges in domains such as smart cities, intelligent manufacturing, financial technology, and artificial intelligence. Through coursework and research practice, students will gain hands-on experience by participating in collaborative projects with leading enterprises such as Huawei, Tencent, and Alibaba. These real-world applications will enhance their ability to address practical problems.

Upon completing the program, students will be able to:

Explain data problems arising in different areas of science, technology, and the society. (Knowledge)
Model the problem with learned mathematics theories and models (Execution)
Apply different mathematical tools to model data problems in application areas. (Execution)
Design and implement efficient algorithms to model the data and solve the problem. (Execution)
Evaluate information and make independent judgements through constructing and inferencing with appropriate data models. (Judgement)
Communicate effectively about data science to both laymen and experts. (Communication)
Demonstrate self-direction in tackling and solving problems and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks. (Autonomy)
Use a global perspective in conjunction with data analytic techniques to address issues of importance in science, technology, and the society. (International outlook)

120 credits are required for BSc in Data Science and Big Data Technology:

30 credits for University Common Core Courses
85 credits for Major Requirements, including:
- 31 credits for Fundamental Courses
- 30 credits for Major Required Courses
- 24 credits for Major Electives
Free Elective Courses can be used to fill in any shortfall in total credits