Masters Degree in Data Science

Discover Your Future in Data Science

Big data has revolutionized the way organizations make strategic decisions. Companies, non-profits, and government agencies expect their employees to be able to analyze data and effectively communicate their findings for decision making. As a result, workforce demand for individuals with science data skills is booming.

In response to the growing demand for data-savvy professionals, the University of Memphis is offering a new, STEM-designated MS in Data Science. Throughout this program, students will learn how to use advanced computational and statistical methods and tools to collect, store, retrieve, manipulate, interpret, and visualize data. Importantly, these methods and tools will be offered in the context of particular high-demand business and scientific disciplines, so graduates have the understanding and acumen to translate their findings into actions.

Data Science is one of the most highly sought-after and versatile degrees available. Graduates will be prepared to pursue careers in a wide range of organizations in business, government, biomedical, education, engineering, and applied sciences.

What is Data Science?

"The coming century is surely the century of data" (Donoho, 2000). Data Science is emerging as a new, transformative paradigm in science and technology. With large volumes of data being generated every day from multiple sources (including business data, biomedical data, educational data, science data, engineering data, and personal data), the importance of systematic and rigorous approaches to understanding and putting these large volumes of data to good use is now well recognized. With this explosion of data, there is a significant demand for experts in the industry, government, education, healthcare, etc., that have the requisite skills to collect, process, and analyze data. Indeed, demand for Data Science master's degrees has exploded in the last couple of years as indicated by the fact that the number of master's degrees awarded in this area has quadrupled from around 5,000 to around 20,000 between 2016 and 2018. Furthermore, Data Scientist has been consistently ranked as the most promising job (defined by high salary, high demand, continual growth, and potential for advancement) by major job search websites such as Glassdoor.

Reference: Donoho, D.L. (2000). High-Dimensional Data Analysis: The Curses and Blessings of Dimensionality. Lecture Delivered at the "Mathematical Challenges of the 21st Century" Conference of the American Math. Society, Los Angeles.

About the Program

The Master's degree in Data Science offers interdisciplinary training in the area of Data Science in order to meet booming demand in the job market. Indeed, the importance of systematic and rigorous approaches to understand and take advantage of large and diverse volumes of data is well recognized. Furthermore, Data Scientist has been consistently ranked as the most promising job (defined by high salary, high demand, continual growth, and potential for advancement) by major job search websites such as Glassdoor.

The nature of the program includes core courses in theoretical foundations of Data Science, i.e., Computer Science and Statistics, and elective courses in discipline-specific quantitative analysis methods. The elective courses are clustered in specific disciplines such as Economics or Biomedical. Students attending the program will acquire a wide range of Data Science competencies including (1) basic system administration, programming, and computational data processing, (2) basic mathematical and statistical concepts for data analysis, (3) advanced computational statistical and machine learning skills for big data analysis, (4) ethical aspects, security, reproducibility /provenance aspects of Data Science, and (5) Data Science problem solving conceptual model and process (meta-competencies).

Assistantships

Teaching and research assistantships are available for qualified applicants. These assistantships include a tuition waiver and a monthly living stipend.

Research Opportunities

Research, internship, and job opportunities in Data Science are numerous due to the importance of Data Science in today's world.

For instance, for the third year in a row, Data Scientist topped Glassdoor's list as the best job in America." Data scientist has ruled as one of the hottest jobs for years, proven by its third consecutive No. 1 ranking," according to Glassdoor Chief Economist Dr. Andrew Chamberlain. "This is due to the high demand (4,524 open jobs), the high salary ($110,000 median base salary), and high job satisfaction (4.2/5). Not only are tech companies scrambling to hire data scientists, but industries across the board, from health care to nonprofits to retail, are also searching for this talent."

For the Memphis area, Glassdoor indicates an average salary of $111,782 for Data Scientists.

Indeed, data and Data Science is having a broad impact and has huge potential to further impact products, services, and processes in all areas of our lives including business, government, nonprofits, and spanning all fields such as biomedical, education, science, engineering, and social and personal lives.

The UofM offers research opportunities in Data Science through individual projects as well as through the Data Science Research Cluster which provides leadership for the Data Science Research at the UofM and the local community by creating a vibrant research environment and training future data scientists to build a Data Science community of practice that includes academia, government and industry in West Tennessee, the Mid-South and beyond.

Assistantships

Teaching and research assistantships are available for qualified applicants.

About the University of Memphis

Our city has changed the world in more ways than one. We don't wait for things to happen, we jump in and get our hands dirty. The can-do, will-do spirit that powers Memphis drives the UofM. We're culturally diverse and complex. We push boundaries and discover new ways of thinking. Most of all, we're driven by hard work and getting results.

Located in a vibrant neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee, the UofM is a major research institution. What you learn here builds a sense of intellectual engagement that will empower you to make a difference in life and throughout your career. Founded in 1912, we welcome more than 21,000 students to campus every year. Diversity is one of our strengths. Students and faculty come from all over the world to be a part of the UofM experience.

Vision

The University of Memphis will be recognized as one of America's great metropolitan research universities, noted for its comprehensive, innovative academic programs and for capitalizing on its urban setting and region to address the challenges of our global society.

Mission

The University of Memphis is a learner-centered metropolitan research university providing high-quality educational experiences while pursuing new knowledge through research, artistic expression, and interdisciplinary and engaged scholarship.

Highest Priorities

• Increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates for all students.
• Continue to incorporate innovation and technology into instruction to enhance student success across all domains.
• Increase research and scholarly/creative activity, along with external funding.
• Grow and advance entrepreneurial and commercialization activity.
• Employ appropriate support to enhance the academic experience for students through coaching, mentoring, tutoring and advising.

Values

The University of Memphis, as an engaged learning community, celebrates:

The pursuit of excellence in teaching and research as the highest measures of successful achievement.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration, artistic expression, and research as vehicles for leveraging our resources, solving problems, and multiplying our accomplishments.
• The transfer and dissemination of knowledge with community stakeholders for the intellectual, economic, and social advancement of our community.
• Innovation and creativity in everything we do.
• Respect for diversity and individual worth.
• Integrity and transparency in all our actions.
• Responsible stewardship and conservation of resources.
• Stewardship of wisdom, knowledge, and information created by our predecessors.
• Leadership and involvement in the economic, social, and professional growth of Memphis, the state of Tennessee, and the nation.

Contact The UofM

University of Memphis Memphis, TN 38152 901.678.2000