Bachelor’s programme in Data Science
"Due to digitization and the increasing importance of data, more and more experts are being sought to generate added value from data. You learn the necessary skills at the ZHAW."
Silvan Buff, Data Science graduate and Data Engineer at Feller AG
Reasons to enrol for a BSc in Data Science
With a Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, you can
- apply methods of machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyse complex data sets and make well-founded predictions.
- actively help shape the information age and the digital future.
- develop data-driven products that provide sustainable benefits for society, the economy and research.
Film about the Bachelor’s programme in Data Science (in german)
At a glance
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Data Science UAS Zurich
Workload: 180 ECTS credits
Duration: 6 semesters (full-time), 8 semesters (part-time)
Study models: Full-time and part-time studies, practice-integrated Bachelor’s programme, international profile
Modules in English: Fall semester (PDF 690 kB), Spring semester (PDF 489 kB) (for more information please visit International Office)
Start of programme: Autumn
Application deadline: 30 April
Location: Winterthur
Language of instruction: German
Semester fee: CHF 720 per semester plus additional study costs
Consecutive degree programmes: Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
Admission: Admission Requirements
How good is AI at setting and grading open exam questions? In their bachelor’s thesis, two ZHAW graduates show where artificial intelligence is already convincing in automatic grading – and where humans still clearly have the edge.
Curriculum content, Bachelor’s programme in Data Science
The Data Science programme covers all aspects from data acquisition, data editing and data analysis to data-based machine learning, to the visualisation and implementation of data products. Advanced aspects such as the responsible handling of data are also part of the curriculum. In the final study year, a wealth of elective modules allows for the application of these fundamentals in the context of various specialised fields and sectors.
You will acquire both expert skills in basic disciplines such as computer science, statistics and mathematics, and the broad and interdisciplinary domain knowledge to develop innovative data products.
With the help of artificial intelligence, data science student Olga Voll is teaching robots how to learn – her goal: machines that can independently master complex tasks instead of having to be reprogrammed for every single step.
Study models
In this Bachelor’s programme, you can choose to study full time and graduate after three years, or part time, with a minimum of four years until graduation. If you choose a work-study track, we recommend your employment does not exceed three days a week during the semesters.
For students with an academic baccalaureate, we also offer the practice-integrated Bachelor’s programme which combines work experience with a four-year study model.
The Data Science programme is also available as an international profile. Among other things, it includes attending English-taught specialised modules and an extensive stay abroad. Irrespective of this scheme, you will have the opportunity to attend an exchange semester at one of our partner universities during the Bachelor’s programme.
Practical relevance
The Bachelor’s degree programme in Data Science guarantees a strong practical focus. From the very first semester, you apply what you learn directly in hands-on projects. In the project and Bachelor’s thesis at the end of your studies, you independently work on current topics and real-world problems, often in cooperation with a company.
The lecturers in the Data Science programme are also active in research and development. The results of these projects, which usually take place in collaboration with industry partners, are continuously integrated into teaching.
With a digital consulting tool and data-based analysis, two ZHAW students show how industrial companies can increase their energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions – a successful example of interdisciplinary collaboration between data science and energy and environmental engineering.
Student for a Day
Would you like to get a feel for student life and learn more about the Bachelor's degree programme in Data Science? Have you already given your future study path a lot of thought but would still like more first-hand information to make your final decision? The “Student for a Day” programme offers you the opportunity to join a ZHAW student for half a day and attend lectures or observe an internship, get to know the campus and ask questions about the study programme.