The Klingler College of Arts and Sciences today announced it is accepting applications for a new Master of Science in Data Science degree program beginning in fall 2021. The program includes an accelerated degree option for Marquette undergraduate students.
The degree program is designed to be completed in just two years, with classes offered both in-person and online. Marquette undergraduate students are able to complete the master’s program with their undergraduate degree in just five years.
“Marquette is uniquely positioned to meet a growing demand for data science grads across the country, but especially here in the Midwest,” said Dr. Praveen Madiraju, associate professor of computer science and director of graduate studies. “We are not just training data analysts, but data stewards who pay attention to societal implications of data, which is central to Marquette’s guiding mission of cura personalis.”
“The core strength of this program is the balance of theory and applied principals, with a strong ethical foundation rooted in real-world applications and the implications of data.” added Dr. Michael Zimmer, associate professor of computer science and co-director of MS in Data Science.
The program offers two specializations—big data and machine learning—and builds upon the certificate program already offered by the university.
“This is an exciting program for us to launch, as our data science and data analytics program offerings continue to grow to meet the need of a growing industry,” said Dr. Heidi Bostic, dean of the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences. “This new master’s program benefits from the strengths of our existing certificate programs. Data science is a priority area for Marquette and it meets the needs of students planning to pursue a variety of personal and professional trajectories. Like all of our programs, the MS in Data Science reflects our values as a Catholic, Jesuit university.”
All courses are taught by Marquette faculty and the program will benefit from the university’s partnerships and role in the data science field throughout the region. Marquette is a partner in the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute and has been central to the discussion of the ethical issues surrounding data by hosting the Ethics of Big Data Symposium for the past five years.