B.S.Sc. in Data Science and Policy Studies — CUHK Major Requirements (2026–27)

Faculty: Social Science · Admission code: DSPSN · 72 units · For students admitted in 2026–27

Students are required to complete a minimum of 72 units of courses as follows:

1.Faculty Package9 units

DSPS1001 and any two courses, offered by two different Programmes/Departments/Schools, chosen from the following: ARCH1001, 1002, 1003, COMM1110, 1120, 1150, 1500, ECON1210, 1220, 2011, GLSD1001, GPAD1020, 1076, 1077, GRMD1302, 1401, 1402, PSYC1000, 1630, SOCI1001, 1201, SOSC1001, 1002, 1003, SOWK1001, 1113, 1114, URSP1001

Show 29 courses

Course	Title	T1 Teaching schedule	T2 Teaching schedule	Enrolment information	Also in minor
DSPS 1001	Introduction to Policy Sciences	--LEC: We 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—	—
ARCH 1001	Introduction to Architecture	—	AU01-STD: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM BU01-STD: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM CU01-STD: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM DU01-STD: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	Creative Sustainable Arts Technology
ARCH 1002	Understanding Cities	—	--LEC: We 2:30PM - 5:15PM	Not for students who have taken ARCH2111.	—
ARCH 1003	Visual Studies	—	--LEC: We 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—
COMM 1110	Media and Everyday Life	A-LEC: We 2:30PM - 5:15PM B-LEC: Th 10:30AM - 1:15PM	C-LEC: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM D-LEC: We 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Journalism and Communication
COMM 1120	Development of Media and Communication	A-LEC: Mo 9:30AM - 12:15PM B-LEC: Th 10:30AM - 1:15PM	C-LEC: Mo 10:30AM - 1:15PM	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Journalism and Communication
COMM 1150	Introduction to Media Industries and Practices	A-LEC: Th 2:30PM - 5:15PM	B-LEC: Th 3:30PM - 6:15PM	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Global Communication·Journalism and Communication
COMM 1500	Perspectives in Global Communication	--LEC: Mo 9:30AM - 12:15PM	B-LEC: Th 10:30AM - 1:15PM	—	Global Communication·Journalism and Communication
ECON 1210	Economics and Society	--LEC: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—	—
ECON 1220	Contemporary Economic Thinking	A-LEC: Tu 8:30AM - 10:15AM Th 12:30PM - 1:15PM	B-LEC: We 8:30AM - 11:15AM	—	—
ECON 2011	Basic Microeconomics	A-LEC: Mo 2:30PM - 4:15PM We 1:30PM - 2:15PM B-LEC: Tu 8:30AM - 10:15AM Th 12:30PM - 1:15PM C-LEC: Mo 12:30PM - 1:15PM Th 8:30AM - 10:15AM	D-LEC: Mo 8:30AM - 11:15AM E-LEC: Tu 10:30AM - 1:15PM	-.	Economics
GLSD 1001	Theoretical Perspectives on Globalization	A-LEC: Th 10:30AM - 1:15PM	B-LEC: We 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	Global Studies
GPAD 1020	Fundamentals of Government	B-LEC: Th 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—	Government and Public Administration
GPAD 1076	Thinking Politically	—	—	—	Government and Public Administration
GPAD 1077	Critical Debates in Hong Kong	—	--LEC: Th 11:30AM - 2:15PM	—	Government and Public Administration
GRMD 1302	People, Space and Place	--LEC: Tu 12:30PM - 2:15PM -T01-TUT: TBA	—	—	Geography and Resource Management
GRMD 1401	A World of Diversity	—	--LEC: Th 10:30AM - 12:15PM -T01-TUT: TBA	Not for students who have taken GRMD1404.	Geography and Resource Management
GRMD 1402	Global Change and Environmental Sustainability	—	--LEC: Mo 12:30PM - 2:15PM -T01-TUT: TBA	Not for students who have taken GRMD1023.	Geography and Resource Management
PSYC 1000	General Psychology	A-LEC: Th 2:30PM - 5:15PM B-LEC: Th 2:30PM - 4:15PM BL01-LAB: Th 4:30PM - 5:15PM	C-LEC: Th 2:30PM - 5:15PM	Not for students who have obtained the following grade in Psychology: IB - 5 or above (HL)/GCE-AL - C or above (AL)/Cambridge Pre-U - P2 or above (Principal course)/HKALE - C or above (AL)/AP Exam - 3 or above.Not for students who have taken UGED2581.	Psychology
PSYC 1630	Communication for Healthy Relationship	—	—	—	—
SOCI 1001	Introduction to Sociology	A-LEC: Tu 8:30AM - 10:15AM AT01-TUT: TBA	B-LEC: Mo 2:30PM - 4:15PM BT01-TUT: TBA	Not for students who have taken SOCI1102 or UGEC1823.	Sociology
SOCI 1201	Hong Kong Society: Identities and Boundaries	—	--LEC: Th 10:30AM - 1:15PM	Not for students who have taken UGEC2865/GEJC1020.	—
SOSC 1001	Design Thinking in Social Innovation	--LEC: Tu 2:30PM - 4:15PM -T01-TUT: Tu 4:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—	Applied Diversity Studies·CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Entrepreneurship and Innovation
SOSC 1002	Managing Creativity and Group Dynamics in Innovation Teams	—	--LEC: Th 9:30AM - 11:15AM -T01-TUT: Th 11:30AM - 12:15PM	—	Applied Diversity Studies·CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Entrepreneurship and Innovation
SOSC 1003	Introduction to Art Tech Design and Interactivity	A-LEC: Th 2:30PM - 4:15PM AT01-TUT: Th 4:30PM - 5:15PM	B-LEC: We 2:30PM - 4:15PM BT01-TUT: We 4:30PM - 5:15PM	—	Creative Sustainable Arts Technology·CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving
SOWK 1001	Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare	A-LEC: Tu 1:30PM - 3:15PM AT01-TUT: Tu 3:30PM - 5:15PM AT02-TUT: Tu 3:30PM - 5:15PM AT03-TUT: Th 2:30PM - 4:15PM B-LEC: Th 10:30AM - 1:15PM	C-LEC: Th 2:30PM - 5:15PM D-LEC: Tu 9:30AM - 12:15PM	—	Social Welfare·Urban Studies
SOWK 1113	Self-development in Changing Society	A-LEC: Th 2:30PM - 5:15PM B-LEC: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM	C-LEC: Mo 10:30AM - 1:15PM D-LEC: Mo 8:30AM - 11:15AM	Not for students who have taken SOWK1150, SOWK2110, UGED1600, UGED2591, GESC2117 or PSYC1030.	—
SOWK 1114	From Understanding to Empowering the Socially Disadvantaged	—	--LEC: Mo 2:30PM - 5:15PM	Not for students who have taken SOWK2190 or UGEC2014.	Applied Diversity Studies·Social Policy
URSP 1001	Introduction to Urban Studies	--LEC: Tu 9:30AM - 11:15AM -T01-TUT: Tu 11:30AM - 12:15PM -T02-TUT: Tu 11:30AM - 12:15PM	—	—	Urban Studies

2.Required Courses24 units

(a)15 units

DSPS1003, 1004, 3801, 4801 (capstone course), 4802 (capstone course)

Show 5 courses

Course	Title	T1 Teaching schedule	T2 Teaching schedule	Enrolment information	Also in minor
DSPS 1003	Foundation of Data Science	A-LEC: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—	—
DSPS 1004	Statistics for Data Science and Policy Studies	—	--LEC: Mo 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—
DSPS 3801	Internship	-P01-PRA: TBA	-P01-PRA: TBA	—	—
DSPS 4801	Graduation Capstone Project I	-J01-PRJ: TBA	-J01-PRJ: TBA	—	—
DSPS 4802	Graduation Capstone Project II	-J01-PRJ: TBA	-J01-PRJ: TBA	—	—

(b)9 units

Resident Study Overseas: Students are required to study overseas for one academic term in a partner institution and complete at least 9 units of courses related to Data Science and Policy Studies approved by the Programme Director. Students who are unable to obtain the required units from partner institutions must make up the shortfall by completing appropriate courses at CUHK, subject to the approval of the Programme Director.

3.Elective Courses[a]39 units

(a)Methods and Tools21 units

Any seven courses from the following:

COMM3650#, DSPS2102, 2103, 2104, 2201, 2202, 2520, 2730, 2830, 3190, 3202, 3330, 3350, 3790, 3791, 3802, ECON2121#, 3121#, GRMD2105#, SOCI4201#

Show 20 courses

Course	Title	T1 Teaching schedule	T2 Teaching schedule	Enrolment information	Also in minor
COMM 3650	Social Media Analytics for Communication Professionals	--LEC: Mo 10:30AM - 1:15PM	—	Pre-requisite(s): ENGG1003.	Global Communication·Journalism and Communication
DSPS 2102	Introduction to Data Science Applications in Public Policy and Political Studies	—	--LEC: Th 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving
DSPS 2103	Intermediate Data Science Applications in Public Policy and Political Studies	—	—	—	—
DSPS 2104	Advanced Programming for Data Science	—	—	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS1003.	—
DSPS 2201	Data Preprocessing for Data Analytics	—	--LEC: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS2102 or (DSPS1003 and DSPS1004).	—
DSPS 2202	Database Systems for Data Science	--LEC: Th 10:30AM - 1:15PM	—	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS1003.	—
DSPS 2520	Data Science Project Management	--LEC: Tu 10:30AM - 1:15PM	—	—	—
DSPS 2730	Linear Algebra for Data Science	—	—	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS1003.	—
DSPS 2830	Calculus for Data Science	—	—	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS1003.	—
DSPS 3190	Big Data Analytics for Public Policy	—	--LEC: We 10:30AM - 1:15PM	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS2202.	Data Analytics and Informatics
DSPS 3202	Machine Learning for Public Policy	--LEC: Mo 2:30PM - 4:15PM -T01-TUT: Mo 4:30PM - 5:15PM	—	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS2201.	Data Analytics and Informatics
DSPS 3330	Extended Reality (XR) for Data Visualization and Policy Narratives	—	—	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS1003.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving
DSPS 3350	Computer Simulation for Policymaking	—	—	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS1003 and DSPS1004.	—
DSPS 3790	Social Network Analysis for Public Policy	—	—	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS2201.	Data Analytics and Informatics
DSPS 3791	Natural Language Processing for Public Policy	—	--LEC: Th 10:30AM - 1:15PM	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS3202.	Data Analytics and Informatics
DSPS 3802	Advanced Data Visualization	--LEC: Mo 10:30AM - 12:15PM -T01-TUT: Mo 12:30PM - 1:15PM	—	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS2201.	—
ECON 2121	Methods of Economic Statistics	A-LEC: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM	B-LEC: Th 2:30PM - 5:15PM	Not for students who have taken, or are currently taking DOTE2010, DOTE2011, DSME2010, DSME2011, SEEM2430, STAT2006 or STAT2101.	Risk Management Science·Statistics
ECON 3121	Introductory Econometrics	A-LEC: Tu 10:30AM - 1:15PM B-LEC: Th 2:30PM - 5:15PM	C-LEC: We 2:30PM - 5:15PM D-LEC: Fr 8:30AM - 11:15AM	—	Economics
GRMD 2105	Introduction to GIS	--LEC: Mo 4:30PM - 6:15PM -L01-LAB: TBA	--LEC: Mo 4:30PM - 6:15PM -L01-LAB: TBA	—	Archaeology·CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Geo-spatial Science for Sustainability·Geography and Resource Management·Urban Studies
SOCI 4201	Quantitative Method: Survey and Unconventional Data Types	—	—	Pre-requisite(s): SOCI2003 and SOCI2004.	Sociology

(b)Policy Applications Any six courses from any of the following areas18 units

(i)Policy Science and Public Governance

DSPS2301, 2320, 2501, 3320, 3501, 3803, 4310, GPAD2065#, 2085#, 2090#, 2095#, 2160#, 2170#

Show 13 courses

Course	Title	T1 Teaching schedule	T2 Teaching schedule	Enrolment information	Also in minor
DSPS 2301	Policy Analysis and Design Thinking	--LEC: Th 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving
DSPS 2320	AI Governance and Public Policy	—	--LEC: We 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—
DSPS 2501	Managing Technology and Policy Innovation	—	--LEC: Tu 10:30AM - 1:15PM	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving
DSPS 3320	Data Science and Regulation	—	—	—	—
DSPS 3501	Policy Leadership and Entrepreneurship Workshop	—	-T01-TUT: Mo 12:30PM - 1:15PM -W01-WKS: Mo 10:30AM - 12:15PM	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving
DSPS 3803	AI for Social Good	--LEC: We 2:30PM - 4:15PM -T01-TUT: We 4:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—	—
DSPS 4310	Data, Evidence and Public Policy	—	—	—	—
GPAD 2065	Values and Public Affairs	—	—	Not for students who have taken UGED2550 or GPAD1090.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Government and Public Administration
GPAD 2085	Public Governance and Civil Service in Hong Kong	—	—	—	Government and Public Administration
GPAD 2090	Governance and Public Policy	—	—	—	Government and Public Administration·Urban Studies
GPAD 2095	Public Policy Workshop	—	—	Prerequisite: GPAD1050.	Government and Public Administration·Urban Studies
GPAD 2160	Public Finance and Budgeting	—	—	—	Government and Public Administration
GPAD 2170	Public Organization and Management	—	—	Prerequisite: GPAD1030 or teacher's consent.	Government and Public Administration·Urban Studies

(ii)Global Relationship

DSPS3310, GLSD2401#, 2501#, SOCI3241#

Show 4 courses

Course	Title	T1 Teaching schedule	T2 Teaching schedule	Enrolment information	Also in minor
DSPS 3310	Collaborative Governance in a Global Context	—	—	—	—
GLSD 2401	Global Sustainability	—	--LEC: Mo 2:30PM - 5:15PM	Not for students who have taken GRMD2401, UGEC2171, 2354 or 2775.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Global Studies
GLSD 2501	World Economic Order	--LEC: Tu 2:30PM - 5:15PM	—	-.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Global Studies
SOCI 3241	Introduction to Global Sociology	--LEC: Th 1:30PM - 4:15PM	—	SOCI3241 is double-coded with UGEC2893.Not for students who have taken SOCI3452 or UGEC3893.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Sociology

(iii)Human Resources

PSYC3360#, SOCI3102#, 3227#

Show 3 courses

Course	Title	T1 Teaching schedule	T2 Teaching schedule	Enrolment information	Also in minor
PSYC 3360	Human Intelligence	—	—	1. Prerequisite: PSYC1000 or UGEC2581 or UGED2581.2. Not for students who have taken UGEB2721.	Psychology
SOCI 3102	Social Networks and Social Capital	--LEC: Tu 2:30PM - 4:15PM -T01-TUT: TBA	—	Not for students who have taken UGEC2013.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Sociology
SOCI 3227	Social Demography	—	--LEC: We 2:30PM - 4:15PM -T01-TUT: TBA	Not for students who have taken UGEC2033.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Sociology

(iv)Social Problems, Deviance, Law and Order

ECON3630#, PSYC3370#, SOCI2216#, 3002#, 3204#

Show 5 courses

Course	Title	T1 Teaching schedule	T2 Teaching schedule	Enrolment information	Also in minor
ECON 3630	Law and Economics	—	--LEC: We 8:30AM - 11:15AM	—	Economics
PSYC 3370	Psychology and Law	—	—	Pre-requisite(s): PSYC1000 or UGED2581.	Psychology
SOCI 2216	Social Problems in China	—	—	Not for students who have taken UGEC2963.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Sociology
SOCI 3002	Social Stratification	--LEC: Tu 10:30AM - 12:15PM -T01-TUT: TBA	—	-.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Sociology·Urban Studies
SOCI 3204	Sociology of Crime and Deviance	—	—	-.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Sociology·Urban Studies

(v)Sustainable Smart Cities

DSPS3340, GRMD2401#, 2403#, 2501#, 3203#, 3404#, 4401#, 4502#, 4503#, URSP3100#, 3300#, 3400#, 3600#

Show 13 courses

Course	Title	T1 Teaching schedule	T2 Teaching schedule	Enrolment information	Also in minor
DSPS 3340	Smart Cities and Internet of Things	—	—	Pre-requisite(s): DSPS1003.	—
GRMD 2401	Sustainable Development	--LEC: Mo 4:30PM - 6:15PM -T01-TUT: TBA	—	GRMD2401 is double-coded with UGEC2171.Not for students who have taken UGEC2171, 2354 or 2775.	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Geo-spatial Science for Sustainability·Geography and Resource Management·Urban Studies
GRMD 2403	Nature Conservation in Hong Kong	—	--LEC: Tu 10:30AM - 12:15PM -F01-FLD: TBA	—	Geography and Resource Management
GRMD 2501	Theory and Practice of Smart Cities	—	--LEC: Mo 2:30PM - 4:15PM -T01-TUT: We 1:30PM - 2:15PM	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Geo-spatial Science for Sustainability·Geography and Resource Management·Urban Studies
GRMD 3203	Urban Environmental Problems	--LEC: We 8:30AM - 10:15AM -L01-LAB: TBA	—	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Geography and Resource Management·Global Studies·Urban Studies
GRMD 3404	Natural Hazards and Human Responses	—	--LEC: Th 10:30AM - 12:15PM -T01-TUT: TBA	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Geography and Resource Management·Global Studies
GRMD 4401	(not found in course_info)
GRMD 4502	Urban Big Data Analysis and Application	—	—	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Geo-spatial Science for Sustainability·Urban Studies
GRMD 4503	Smart City Policies and Governance	--LEC: We 2:30PM - 4:15PM -T01-TUT: TBA	—	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Geography and Resource Management·Urban Studies
URSP 3100	Housing Issues and Policy	—	--LEC: We 2:30PM - 4:15PM -T01-TUT: We 4:30PM - 5:15PM	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Urban Studies
URSP 3300	Sustainable Urban Transport	—	—	—	Global Studies·Urban Studies
URSP 3400	Essentials of the Land Development Process	--LEC: We 2:30PM - 4:15PM -T01-TUT: We 4:30PM - 5:15PM	—	—	Urban Studies
URSP 3600	Designing Smart Cities	--LEC: Mo 9:30AM - 11:15AM -J01-PRJ: Mo 11:30AM - 12:15PM	—	—	CU-ASK: Innovative Problem Solving·Urban Studies

Explanatory Notes

DSPS courses at 2000 and above level as well as those labeled as # will be included in the calculation of Major GPA for honours classification.

Students are responsible for the extra costs incurred in relation to the overseas resident study.

[a]

Among the non-DSPS courses, students can only choose up to three courses under the same subject area.