Data Science M.S.
Program Rationale:
This program is designed for the person who loves data and wants to learn how to uncover actionable results from large data sets using a data scientific framework. Starting with the first course, students will learn data science by applying it on real-world, large data sets, gaining expertise in state-of-the-art data modeling methodologies, so as to prepare them for information-age careers in data science, analytics, data mining, statistics, and actuarial science.
There are five tracks in this program. Four of these provide specialized skills, and the fifth allows a student to sample a variety of data science and computational techniques.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Students in the program will be expected to:
· Apply data science using a systematic process, by implementing an adaptive, iterative, and phased framework to the process, including the research understanding phase, the data understanding phase, the exploratory data analysis phase, the modeling phase, the evaluation phase, and the deployment phase;
. Evaluate the true consequences of making false positive or false negative decisions.
· Demonstrate proficiency with leading open-source analytics coding software such as R and Python, as well as commercial platforms;
· Understand and apply a wide range of clustering, estimation, prediction, and classification algorithms including k-means clustering, classification and regression trees, logistic regression, k-nearest neighbor, multiple regression, and neural networks; and
· Learn more specialized techniques in bioinformatics, text analytics, algorithms, and other current issues.
Program Prerequisites:
Applicants to the Masters of Science in Data Science program are expected to have completed one semester of statistics ( such as STAT 104, STAT 200, or STAT 215) with grade of B or better, or permission of the Data Science Program Coordinator. First-semester courses in statistics are regularly offered by CCSU both online and in classroom.
Admission Requirements:
Students must hold a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The undergraduate record must demonstrate clear evidence of ability to undertake and pursue studies successfully in a graduate field.
A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale (where A is 4.00), or its equivalent, and good standing (3.00 GPA) in all post-baccalaureate course work is required. Conditional admission may be granted to candidates with undergraduate GPAs as low as 2.40.
In addition to the materials required by the School of Graduate Studies, the following is required by the program:
A formal application essay of 500-1000 words that focuses on (a) academic and work history, and (b) reasons for pursuing the Master of Science in Data Science, and (c) where and how the applicant has completed the program prerequisite. The essay will also be used to demonstrate a command of the English language.
One letter of recommendation either from the academic or work environment.
The application to the Data Science program is filled out online. All transcripts should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. Instructions for uploading the essay and submitting the recommendation letters will be found within the graduate online application.
Instructions for uploading the essay and submitting the recommendation letters will be found within the graduate online application.
Course and Capstone Requirements
Core Courses
The following five courses are required of all students.
| DATA 511 | Introduction to Data Science | 4 |
| DATA 512 | Predictive Analytics: Estimation and Clustering | 4 |
| DATA 513 | Predictive Analytics: Classification | 4 |
| DATA 514 | Multivariate Analytics | 4 |
| DATA 599 | Special Project (Plan C) | 3 |
Bioinformatics Track
For students selecting the bioinformatics track, the following three classes are required.
Other appropriate graduate courses, with permission of advisor.
Text Analytics Track
For students selecting the text analytics track, there are two required classes and one elective. The latter can be any non-core, 500-level DATA course.
| DATA 531 | Text Analytics with Information Retrieval | 4 |
| DATA 532 | Text Analytics with Natural Language Processing | 4 |
Other appropriate graduate courses, with the permission of the advisor.
Advanced Methods Track
For students selecting the advanced methods track, the following three classes are required.
Other appropriate graduate courses, with the permission of the advisor.
Computational Track
| CS 508 | Distributed Computing | 3 |
| CS 570 | Topics in Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CS 580 | Topics in Database Systems and Applications | 3 |
| | and either | |
| CS 463 | Algorithms | 3 |
| | or | |
| CS 525 | Advanced Algorithms | 3 |
Other appropriate CS graduate courses, with the permission of the advisor.
General Data Science Track
Excluding the common core, a total of at least twelve credits of courses from the other tracks and/or electives.
Elective Courses
Total Credit Hours: 31