Draft 2025-2026 Catalog 
    
    Nov 08, 2024  
Draft 2025-2026 Catalog

Data Science, Data Engineering Concentration, MS


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The MS in Data Science and Data Engineering concentration is dedicated to fostering the development of highly skilled data scientists, engineers, and MLOps professionals, equipped with a comprehensive theoretical and technical understanding of statistical analysis, machine learning, and systems to deploy and maintain a life cycle of data and models. Our program curriculum is designed to offer a well-rounded education in data science, supplemented by specialized courses in data science, data engineering and MLOps. This also empowers our students to leverage modern data infrastructures and platforms to tackle real-world challenges and achieve success in their professional endeavors.

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will:

  • Possess a theoretical understanding of classical statistical models (e.g., generalized linear models, linear time series models, etc.), as well as the ability to apply those models effectively
  • Possess a theoretical understanding of machine learning techniques (e.g., random forests, neural networks, naive Bayes, k-means, etc.), as well as the ability to apply those techniques effectively to data and maintain its life cycle
  • Effectively use modern programming languages (e.g., R, Python, SQL, etc.), technologies (Cloud Computing, AWS, GCP, etc.), and Distributed Systems (Hive, Spark, Hadoop, Airflow, etc.) to scrape, clean, organize, query, summarize, visualize, and model large volumes and varieties of data
  • Prepared for careers as data scientists and engineers by solving real-world, data-driven business problems with other data scientists and engineers in an ethical and responsible way
  • Develop professional communication skills (e.g., presentations, interviews, email etiquette, etc.), and begin integrating with the Bay Area data science community

Major Requirements (43 units)


Linear Algebra Exam


All students must pass a linear algebra exam by the beginning of the Fall semester in order to demonstrate competency in this subject. Students have two attempts to pass this exam. Students are provided with ten hours of video resources as well as practice questions to aid them in their attempts.

10 Hours of Career Skills


10 hours of required career training to be completed outside of class time. Training provided by the Data Science program may include but are not limited to: workshops, mock interviews, resume editing and guest lecturers.

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