University of San Francisco, MS in Data Science

USF’s one-year Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) delivers a rigorous curriculum focused on mathematical and computational techniques in the emerging field of data science. The curriculum emphasizes the careful formulation of business problems, selecting effective analytical techniques to address those problems and communicating solutions in a clear and creative fashion. The 35-unit program features a modern, open-source-focused curriculum for students who seek the technical expertise required to become data scientists and analysts, and the business skills to apply this knowledge effectively and strategically.The program's challenging curriculum features seven-week courses designed specifically for MSDS students; they're not offered in other programs or departments. Students master subjects from computer science, statistics, and management such as regression, web scraping, SQL and NoSQL database management, natural language processing, business communications, machine learning, cluster analysis, application development, and interviewing skills. Students primarily use programming languages like R and Python in their classes and learn how to effectively use distributed computing technology such as MapReduce, Hadoop, and Spark, and become intimately familiar with cloud technology such as Amazon Web Services.The boot camp is an intensive introduction to, and review of, the foundational knowledge and skills required for sophisticated business analysts and data scientists. Students will take two out of three intensive courses in probability and statistics, computation for analytics, and linear algebra. Additionally, all students take a course in exploratory data analysis, which serves as our program’s formal introduction to the R programming language. Its Practicum projects allow students to work an average of 15 hours per week for nine months tackling data science and analytics problems at companies around the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.