MS Data Science

The Data science is a concept to unify statistics, data analysis, data mining, machine learning and their related techniques and theories to extract meaningful insight from various data sources to forecast the future. This information can then be used to optimize the processes to increase the overall efficiency of a business or system. The M.S. in Data Science provides students with technical expertise in computational modeling, data collection and integration, data storage and retrieval, data processing, modeling and analytics, and visualization.

Why Master Degree in Data Science?

The job opportunities in the field of data science and data analytics are rapidly growing. International Data Corp. (IDC) expects worldwide revenue for big data and business analytics (BDA) solutions to reach $260 billion in 2022. As a result, there is a strong need of data scientists who are skilled in organizing and analyzing massive amounts of data and data scientists are among the most sought-after positions in these days and nearly 40% of advanced data and business analyst positions require a master’s degree or Ph.D.

Why Choose the Data Science Graduate Degree at Marshall University?

With exponentially increasing amounts of data accumulating in real-time, every business and entrepreneur in today’s society needs data scientist with the ability to turn data into a competitive advantage to augment their competitive position relative to others in the field. The elite data scientist must master essential skills: programming, quantitative skills, technologies, domain knowledge, and critical thinking. Data scientists should know how to program and have mathematical knowledge to include probability and statistics in order to conduct numerical and statistical analysis. They should also be familiar with a wide range of technologies to include analytical tools, platforms, hardware, and software. All data scientists need to have a strong understanding of the business and domain knowledge they operate in, which enables data scientists to have insight and communicate effectively with different stakeholders. The M.S. in Data Science degree program at Marshall University provides curriculum to build those critical skills and knowledge through courses in computer science, statistics and domain knowledge to prepares graduates to succeed in professional careers in a rapidly growing data science field.

What Careers in the Data Science?

Common data science jobs include Business Intelligence (BI) Developer, Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Data Architect, Enterprise Architect, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Data Officer, Director of IT, Human Resources Manager, Financial Manager and Marketing Manager in various industries including government, health industries, IT, bank, engineering, education, etc.

Minimum admission requirement for full admission includes completion of a four-year bachelor's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related program with GPA of 2. 75 or higher on 4.0 scale. Applicants with a baccalaureate degree in a major other than computer science or related program may be admitted to the program and must successfully complete the following three additional bridge courses with a grade of B or above in the first two semesters of the program: 

Whether an applicant meets the above requirements will be based on the information provided in the admission application and transcripts. International students must meet MU English proficiency standards and all other admission criteria prior to registering for the first semester of courses. 

The MSDS degree requires 30 credit hours (CR) of graduate work. The 30 CR is comprised of the following components:

Thesis Option in Domain Emphasis

Student may choose a thesis option replacing two courses from in the Domain Emphasis.

The thesis option (Thesis 1 and 2) offers students an opportunity for in-depth understanding and investigation into an area of interest. Students must summarize their thesis work in the form of a formal written document and deliver an oral presentation. Thesis work is typically conducted over two semesters. The thesis option can be taken after the completion of 12 credit hours. The 6 CR of the thesis option cannot be combined in a semester. If a student in the thesis option wishes to switch to the non-thesis option, the credit hours for the thesis will not count toward fulfilling the graduation requirement.

Plan of Study

Below is a typical two-year study plan for full-time (9 credit hours a semester) students:

Note: All required core courses will be offered every semester. However, some elective courses may only be offered one semester a year. Students should work closely with advisors in developing a study plan.