2020-21 Catalogs

Certificate of Graduate Study in Data Science

The graduate certificate in data science is designed for candidates who are interested in attaining a working knowledge of methodologies in data science. Currently enrolled graduate students can apply for this certificate before they graduate from the degree program.

The certificate program addresses the growing demand for data scientists in the region. It equips students with the right blend of technical and analytical skills to meet the challenge of big data analytics. The program emphasizes technical proficiency and practical experience, and it provides students with advanced skills in data mining, statistics, machine learning, and database processing.

Students who have completed the certificate in data science will be able to conduct quality data science projects from research hypothesis formulation, data collection and management to analytical modeling and visualization, technical writing, as well as data product deployment.

Minimum number of credits required for the certificate: 15

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required in these courses, and they must be completed within six years of enrollment, which is defined as the date when the application for admission to the graduate certificate is accepted by the Graduate Committee. Courses taken for the certificate may also be used toward the master's degree in statistics, as long as they are completed within six years of enrollment in the graduate program (Master of Science in Statistics).

Required foundation courses:
STA 574 Statistical Programming
STA 585 Linear Models and Forecasting 

Choose at least two core methodology courses from the following:
STA 586 Predictive Modeling with Big Data
STA 588 Introduction to Statistical Data Mining
STA 596 Practical Data Science

Choose one elective from the following (if necessary):
STA/OPR 561 Deterministic Models in Operations Research
COS 575 Machine Learning
MBA 677 Information Visualization
MPH 675 Health Information Management