Machine Learning (BS)
Machine Learning is the fundamental technology that enables computer programs to mimic the ability of humans to learn and reason. This technology powers things like self-driving cars, facial recognition, algorithms to identify what is in a photo, fraud detection for credit card companies, systems that identify which traffic entering a network might be malicious, programs that decide whether a medical image indicates a sign of a significant disease, and chat bots.
About the Major
Scientists and engineers who use machine learning face a wide range of challenges, from data wrangling to visualization to sophisticated mathematical modeling, and often must synthesize solutions by drawing on knowledge from a wide variety of sources.
The Machine Learning major combines courses from computer science, math, and statistics to provide students with a combination of theory and practical skills needed to succeed in this field. Broadly speaking, these courses include:
- Computer Science fundamentals
- Mathematics fundamentals
- Statistics fundamentals
- Specialized courses in computer science, math, and statistics that focus on machine learning in depth
- The machine learning capstone or undergraduate research
Topics include conventional machine learning algorithms, databases, deep learning, regression, probability, statistics, natural language processing, calculus, and optimization.
All students in this major complete a capstone experience working with a small team on an industry-sponsored project. This offers students an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency as software engineers on a significant project, while also being able to receive mentoring from an industry professional.
See this page for details on the machine learning capstone.
For more information about machine learning, data science, and opportunities in related fields, visit the Data Science website.
Careers in Machine Learning
The BYU Machine Learning major prepares students for competitive positions in many of the world’s best companies. The major also serves as excellent preparation for graduate work in machine learning and the broader field of artificial intelligence. Graduates of this program will be able to curate and maintain data, build models to effectively analyze this data, and understand the principles of modeling and the basis of the models themselves in order to draw accurate conclusions from these analyses. Graduates will be able to provide insight into how machine learning can be used in a variety of applications and will be able to follow ethical and responsible practices when designing applications.
Salary
Estimating salary for a job with a Machine Learning degree is difficult because the degree provides a foundation for a vast range of career paths, each with its own unique economic landscape. A graduate's potential earnings are heavily skewed by industry choice, geographic location, and specific technical expertise. Ultimately, the salary is best viewed as a broad spectrum rather than a single predictable data point because computer science now serves as the essential backbone for nearly every modern industry.
Requirements
Requirements can change from year to year. When you declare a major, you follow the requirements that were in force that year. You can see those requirements on your MyMap. You can see an academic advisor to switch to the current requirements if desired.
Current Requirements
Flow Chart
Historical Data Science/Machine Learning Emphasis Requirements
The department previously offered a Data Science emphasis, but this was renamed to the Machine Learning emphasis in Fall 2023, which was subsequently converted to a bachelor's degree in Fall 2025. See an academic advisor if you would like to switch from the Data Science or Machine Learning emphasis to the Machine Learning major.
Declaring or Changing Your Major
To learn how to declare or change your major to Machine Learning, click here: