About the course
Course content
The Masters in Data Science provides you with a thorough grounding in the analysis and use of large data sets, together with experience of conducting a development project, preparing you for responsible positions in the Big Data and IT industries. As well as studying a range of taught courses reflecting the state-of-the-art and the expertise of our internationally respected academic staff, you will undertake a significant programming team project, and develop your own skills in conducting a data science project.
Why this programme
- The School of Computing Science is consistently highly ranked achieving 2nd in Scotland and 10th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2017)
- The School is a member of the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance: SICSA. This collaboration of Scottish universities aims to develop Scotland's place as a world leader in Informatics and Computer Science research and education.
- We currently have 15 funded places to offer to home and EU students.
- You will have opportunities to meet employers who come to make recruitment presentations, and often seek to recruit our graduates during the programme.
- You will benefit from having 24-hour access to a computer laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software.
Programme Structure
Modes of delivery of the MSc in Data Science include lectures, seminars and tutorials and allow students the opportunity to take part in lab, project and team work.
Core courses
- Big data
- Data fundamentals
- Information retrieval
- Machine learning
- Research methods and techniques
- Text as data
- Web science
- Masters team project.
Optional courses
- Advanced networking and communications
- Advanced operating systems
- Algorithmics
- Artificial intelligence
- Big data: systems, programming and management
- Computer architecture
- Computer vision methods and applications
- Cryptography and secure development
- Cyber security forensics
- Cyber security fundamentals
- Distributed algorithms and systems
- Enterprise cyber security
- Functional programming
- Human computer interaction
- Human computer interaction: design and evaluation
- Human-centred security
- Information retrieval
- Internet technology
- IT architecture
- Machine learning
- Mobile human computer interaction
- Modelling reactive systems
- Safety critical systems.
- Software project management
- Theory of Computation
Depending on staff availability, the optional courses listed here may change.
If you wish to engage in part-time study, please be aware that dependent upon your optional taught courses, you may still be expected to be on campus on most week days.
Career Prospects
You will be well qualified for responsible software development positions, not only in the IT sector but also in many other sectors such as education, engineering, health services, financial services, government, manufacturing, retail, and transport. Expertise in Data Science & Big Data is particularly prized by employers. You will also be well qualified to proceed to a PhD in computing science.
Graduates of this programme have gone on to positions such as:
Software Engineer at Graham Technology.