WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. \u2014 Data scientists who can make sense of today\u2019s epic floods of data to generate actionable insights and communicate them to a variety of audiences are in demand in almost any field, from retail business and industry to health care, government, education, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for data scientists will grow 36% by 2031. Nationally, there were nearly 125,000 data scientist jobs added from 2013-2023. Yet many of those jobs \u2014 with many more openings coming \u2014 went unfilled for a lack of trained data scientists. The bottom line: Nearly every industry today requires data scientists, and the number of these positions is expected to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Purdue University\u2019s new 100% online Master of Science in data science degree addresses the need and the high demand for a trained data science workforce that can harness the power of data to drive innovation, efficiency and competitiveness. The interdisciplinary master\u2019s program is designed for working professionals with a technical background but includes a pathway to entry for professionals from nontechnical fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis data science master\u2019s program is specifically designed for online delivery and optimal online learning, making it accessible to professionals around the world,\u201d said Dimitrios Peroulis, Purdue senior vice president for partnerships and online. \u201cThe interdisciplinary curriculum is diverse, customizable to a student\u2019s needs and tailored for practical application immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Purdue\u2019s online master\u2019s in data science features core courses covering foundations of data science, machine learning and data mining, big data technologies and tools, data analysis, and data visualization and communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students do a capstone project pairing them with an industry mentor and a collaborative team to manage a data science project from inception to completion. That includes developing project timelines, allocating resources and adapting strategies based on the project\u2019s evolution. The capstone, modeled after curriculum from The Data Mine<\/a>, Purdue\u2019s award-winning data science learning community, is an opportunity to apply knowledge acquired throughout the master\u2019s program to solve complex, real-world problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The online master\u2019s program also features the opportunity to earn industry-aligned certificates along the way to earning a master\u2019s degree. Options include education, leadership, and policy; smart mobility and smart transportation; data science in finance; spatial data science; geospatial information science; managing information technology projects; IT business analysis; and applied statistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program was developed by an interdisciplinary cohort of expert faculty from Purdue\u2019s flagship campus, including the colleges of Agriculture, Education, Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts, Pharmacy, Science, and Veterinary Medicine, along with the Mitch Daniels School of Business, the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, the Purdue Libraries, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPurdue\u2019s new online MS in data science program leverages the real-world experience of faculty working across several distinct disciplines,\u201d said Timothy Keaton, assistant professor of practice in Purdue\u2019s Department of Statistics, who was involved in developing the new degree. \u201cThis cooperation between experts in the application of data science in diverse fields provides a great opportunity to create engaging and meaningful coursework that incorporates many different potential areas of interest for our students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students will develop expertise in programming languages, gaining the ability to design and implement data-driven solutions; learn to apply advanced technologies, including cloud computing and big data frameworks, to e\ufb00ectively handle and process large-scale datasets; gain a deep understanding of machine learning algorithms and models, applying them to real-world scenarios; and become proficient in collecting, cleaning, and analyzing diverse datasets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The curriculum also is designed to teach learners data visualization and communication methods for creating compelling visual representations of complex data to e\ufb00ectively convey insights, along with the application of storytelling techniques to communicate findings clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences. The program covers adherence to ethical standards in data science, privacy, transparency and fairness as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program draws on Purdue\u2019s expertise in myriad aspects of data science. Known for its emphasis on practical programs with proven value, Purdue has been rated among the Top 10 Most Innovative Schools for six years running by U.S. News & World Report and is the No. 8 public university in the U.S. according to the latest QS World University Rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe breadth and depth of topics that data science encompasses necessitate graduate programs that incorporate expertise from a variety of disciplines and then integrate this into a curriculum to meet the needs of its students,\u201d said John Springer, a Purdue computer and information technology professor who was involved in developing the new degree. \u201cPurdue\u2019s unique approach to the development and delivery of its new online master\u2019s program wholly fulfills these requirements by utilizing a highly interdisciplinary team of Purdue faculty backed by Purdue\u2019s outstanding team of instructional designers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information about Purdue\u2019s 100% online Master of Science in data science degree, visit the program website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Purdue University is a public research institution demonstrating excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two colleges in the top four in the United States, Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, including nearly 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue\u2019s main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap \u2014 including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the\u202fMitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative\u202f\u2014 at https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/president\/strategic-initiatives<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\nAbout Purdue University<\/h2>\n\n\n\n