Get a head start on university computer science concepts

The fundamental question this course aims to address is how does one analyze real-world data so as to understand the corresponding phenomenon.  Students will learn critical concepts and skills in computer programming related to statistical inference, in conjunction with hands-on analysis of real-world datasets, including economic data, health data, geographical data, and social networks.   Planned topics include machine learning, data analytics, and statistical modeling classically employed for prediction. The program will be a blend of theoretical and practical instruction, providing a comprehensive, hands-on overview of the Data Science domain. 

Hands-on projects will form the bulk of the work for the class and will seek to teach students the data science lifecycle: data selection and cleaning, feature engineering, model selection, and prediction methodologies. 

Applications are reviewed and admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis starting February 15th. Applying at your earliest convenience, prior to June 13th, is highly recommended.

The program has application requirements for admission. Eligible applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within 3 weeks.

Applicants are required to provide the following during the online registration process:

• An unofficial transcript from grade 9 to present reflecting a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • If your school transcript utilizes a different grading system, please submit your transcript as is. If available, please attach a translation/equivalency guide.
  • INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: If you are an international student, a transcript refers to your complete secondary academic record. To learn more about converting your grades into a US-based GPA, please click here.
    • If your school has a translation/equivalency guide, please also include it with your transcript. If you do not have a translation/equivalency guide, please still submit your most up-to-date transcript as is for staff to review.
• Value statement: At the time of registration, ALL applicants will be prompted to submit a few short sentences reflecting on their pursuit of participation in a UCLA Precollege Summer Institute. Please note that students are strongly discouraged from relying on ChatGpt/AI tools for their application responses and are encouraged to submit original and authentic answers.
• Short essays answering each of the following prompts:
  • Do you have any experience related to data science?
  • What has motivated you to apply to the CSSI intermediate track?
  • What do you expect to learn from the CSSI intermediate track?
  • Are you comfortable with programming in python?
  • Please list any advanced math courses you have taken. Are you comfortable with math concepts such as function, gradient/derivative, vector and matrix, probability, mean, and variance?
  • This is a college-level course and thus very intense and challenging. Our instructor and learning assistants will help you through the whole process. Do you consent to (1) actively participate in classes, discussion sessions, and seminars, (2) communicate timely with our instructor and learning assistants for any questions and difficulties, and (3) befriend and learn from your peers?

The Computer Science Summer Institute – Intermediate Track is a commuter program. UCLA Summer Institutes do NOT provide on-campus housing for commuter programs. However, students who are 17 or older as of June 23, 2025, may independently apply for housing through UCLA Housing. Students interested in exploring this option should review information at UCLA Summer Housing.

Participants of the Computer Science Summer Institute – Intermediate Track must commute to the UCLA campus each day of the program. Specific location information (e.g. classroom) will be provided to enrolled students closer to the start of the program.

Parking
Summer Sessions parking permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students have the option to purchase a summer term permit or a daily permit.

Please review the Transportation and Parking Services web page and read the “Summer Quarter Parking (All Students)” section for more information on all permit types, including cost.

Coursework

Computer Science 97; 4 units

Grading Basis

Students will receive a letter grade upon completion. See University Credit, Grades and Transcripts for more information about academic credit.

In order to successfully complete the program, students must not have more than 2 excused or unexcused absences.

UCLA Summer Sessions Summer Scholars Support

Qualified students attending grades 9th – 11th in Spring 2025 in the state of California may be eligible for Summer Scholars Support, a need- and merit-based scholarship offered by the UCLA Summer Sessions Office. Students must be 15 years old by the first day of Summer Sessions 2025 on June 23rd in order to participate in a Precollege Summer Institute and/or apply for Summer Scholars Support. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to support enrollment in SCIP/eSCIP, one Summer Course, or a Precollege Summer Institute.

Summer 2025 deadline to apply: March 15

Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) Scholarship

The Computer Science Summer Institute Scholarship is designed for students who have shown excellent academic performance and significant contributions to promote diversity and inclusion (female, minority, LQBTQ+, disabled, socioeconomic disadvantaged).

To apply, please provide both a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor from your high school and a response to each of the three prompts below:

1) Describe specific experiences or circumstances in your life that give you a particular appreciation for issues of diversity and inclusion.

2) Describe what you have done to make your school or your community a better place.

3) Describe why receiving the diversity scholarship is important to you. (We will prioritize students with financial needs.)

Please email your essay responses to UCLA_CSSI@googlegroups.com with the subject line “UCLA CSSI Scholarship: Applicant Full Name”. You may ask your teacher or counselor to email their letter of recommendation to the same email address with the subject line “Letter for UCLA CSSI Scholarship: Applicant Full Name”.

Summer 2025 application will open on March 15 and the deadline to apply is May 1st. Students will be notified on May 15th.