Master of Science - Data Science with Placement

University of Hertfordshire

Data is the currency of all but the most theoretically-based scientific research, and it also underpins the modern world, from the flow of data across international banking networks and the spread of memes across social networks, to the complex models of weather forecasting. The constant generation of data from the digital society feeds into everyday lives, affecting how people receive healthcare to influencing their shopping habits. In order to handle, make sense of, and exploit large volumes of available data requires highly skilled human insight, analysis and visualization.

The professionals working in this field are called ‘data scientists’, who blend advanced mathematical and statistical skills with programming, database design, machine learning, modelling, simulation and innovative data visualisation. These professionals are in high demand in both public and private sectors in the UK and worldwide.

This MSc Data Science programme aims and learning outcomes are built around two guiding principles:

• To provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental mathematical and statistical concepts underlying data science, and how they are implemented in algorithms and machine learning techniques to solve a variety of data processing and analysis problems.
• To provide training in the practical skills relevant to data science, central of which is the ability to write clean and efficient code in industry-recognised languages (in particular, Python and R), but also includes data handling, manipulation, mining and visualisation techniques.

Students on this Master's course will benefit from the expertise of astrophysicists, physicists, mathematicians and computer scientists with international research profiles. Their day-to-day research involves application of, and in some cases the development of new, data science skills, from fundamental statistical analyses, the use of distributed high-performance computing, and research into novel artificial intelligence algorithms. 

Learners have an option to take a one-year paid industry placement in a highly professional and stimulating environment. Previous students have had placements with organizations including NatWest, Sparta Global and Sky. They can also benefit from the University's strong links with the computing industry and employers such as Microsoft and Hewlett Packard. There are a wide range of research-focused seminars to excite and spark students' intellectual curiosity. 

Upon completion of the MSc Data Science with Placement Year programme, graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of a wide range of theoretical and practical skills enabling them to enter a variety of disciplines and industries.