MSc Data Science

New for 2017

An exciting new course delivered in one year full-time or two years part-time at the Jordanstown and Magee campuses of Ulster University.

About this course

Data Science is a rapidly developing field of study with rapidly growing importance to industry and it is also interdisciplinary in nature with a wide application domain. This MSc in Data Science aims to prepare students for a successful career as a data scientist or business analyst working in any profession where large amounts of data is collected, hence there is then a need for skills in data acquisition, information extraction, aggregation and representation, data analysis, knowledge extraction and explanation. These types of skills are typically in high demand in IT business, security and health sectors, intelligent transport, energy efficiency and the creative industries.

Consequently, the MSc in Data Science will provide a firm grounding in the core disciplines of information and computer science and statistics for example and this will be partnered with a broad appreciation of aspects of other disciplines where data science can form natural synergistic relationship. The science of extracting information from data continues to increase in importance in various disciplines in which the large volume and complexity of the data imposes unprecedented challenges to the data analysis approaches traditionally employed in these disciplines.

Content and structure

Within this course you are expected to successfully complete six taught modules for the PgDip and six modules plus a Research Project for the MSc course.

Core Subjects include:

  • Foundations of Data Science
  • Databases and Cloud Computing for Big Data
  • Business Intelligence
  • Data Validation and Understanding
  • Statistical Modelling and Data Mining
  • Machine Learning and Data Modelling

Teaching methods include lectures, directed tutorials, seminars and practical sessions, project preparation and project implementation. The course is assessed through coursework and/or written examinations.

The course will seek accreditation from the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.

Careers

The MSc Data Science has the core aim of training data and business analytics professionals to pursue a career applying leading edge data analytics tools and technologies across a spectrum of application domains that rely on deriving information from data on a daily basis. It aims to equip graduates with the skills to gain competitive advantage based on analytical insight into business, scientfic and other types of data. It also strives to address the skills shortage in this field which was highlighted in a recent McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) (2016), “The age of analytics: Competing in a data- driven world”, which suggests that the range of applications and opportunities has grown rapidly and will continue to expand.

So the proposed MSc in Data Science is essentially preparing the managers and business executives of the future and providing them with unique exposure to current business opportunities, challenges and developments in the area of big data analytics and business intelligence

Further information

Please contact the Course Director, Dr Tom Lunney (tf.lunney@ulster.ac.uk)

Up to date fee information can be accessed via http://www.ulster.ac.uk/finance/fees/