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Data Science (M.A.S.)

At Illinois Tech, data science isn’t just about data. Surprised? Data science is about applying the scientific method to data analysis in the real world—in other words, sensemaking. 

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Dive deeply into the underlying premises of given problems, learn to reformulate the questions, and determine if the results make sense in the Master of Data Science program. Accomplish this by exploring and improving the structure of the available data, creating and evaluating models, and by constructing and testing hypotheses. Learn how to analyze the data, visualize the results and equally important, how to articulate their discoveries. 

By combining high-level mathematics, statistics, and computer science skills with the ability to communicate results, data scientists make a complicated and dynamic world more comprehensible. 

Illinois Tech’s rigorous data science curriculum provides the knowledge, skills, and experience to expand your career opportunities. Whether in Chicago with its diverse economy and thriving tech community or across the globe, our data science alumni have bright futures in the data science profession.

This program has an online option starting in fall, when it is coursework only and there is no practicum. If Math 563 is needed, that course can be offered in a hybrid format.

Program Overview

At Illinois Tech, make sense of data using high-level mathematics, statistics, and computer science, and become skilled at communicating your insights and results. Learn to think about real problems, not just apply tools. 

Career Opportunities

Wondering what your prospects are as a data scientist? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 12 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.” Indeed.com lists more than 10,000 data science job openings while Glassdoor.com lists more than 25,000 jobs!

Still not convinced? Every industry, non-profit, start-up, government agency, branch of the military, research laboratory, financial institution, and manufacturing facility is acquiring massive quantities of data. As we increase our capacity to collect and store these data, so is the increased demand for data scientists. Whether you are in the business of sports analytics, predictive risk, operations optimization, marketing, manufacturing, food production, transportation, or healthcare, there is a job for you as a data scientist. 

Disclaimer for prospective students, please read.
The information provided is sourced from a third party, Lightcast, and is provided here for informational and educational purposes only. Please be advised that the inclusion of the Lightcast resource on this website does not imply endorsement by Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), nor is it a guarantee of the accuracy of this information. Illinois Tech makes no representation, warranty or guarantee, express or implied, that the information presented herein is reflective of the outcomes you can expect if you enroll in or graduate from an Illinois Tech program. Illinois Tech expressly disclaims any liability regarding Lightcast, or in connection with any actual or potential employment opportunity stemming from information on this site and you hereby irrevocably waive any claim(s) against the Illinois Tech for the same. Your use of this web page is an acknowledgement of your understanding and acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth herein. You are encouraged to conduct your own thorough research into job opportunities and outcomes in your field of study.

A bachelor's degree, although not necessarily in computer science, is required with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0/4.0.

Minimum GRE scores of 304 (quantitative + verbal) and 2.5 (analytic writing) must be submitted.

One letter of recommendation is required, but two are preferred.

Submittal of a professional statement of objectives.

Applicants whose bachelor's degree was earned at an institution where English is not the primary language of instruction must submit TOEFL/PTE/IELTS scores.

Applicants are evaluated on an individual basis, but are expected to have basic knowledge of discrete mathematics, linear algebra, probability, statistics, relational databases, and some programming such as Matlab, C++, Java, Python, or Ruby.

Every applicant who meets the admission deadline is automatically considered for a graduate scholarship. If you receive a funding award, you will be notified of the award in your official admission letter.

Applicants lacking prerequisite coursework but who are otherwise strong candidates (i.e., with relevant work experience) may be admitted, but these applicants would be required to make up any needed coursework. For more information about the prerequisite coursework, visit our prerequisite course page.

For more program information and answers to many of your questions, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Ask a Professor

What do climate change, finance, data science, sports analytics, engineering, and software development all have in common? They all have foundations in mathematics. Discover how a degree in applied mathematics can open doors to these careers, and many more, by speaking with Professor Igor Cialenco, director of graduate studies at Illinois Tech’s Department of Applied Mathematics. These virtual visits occur on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. CST.

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Featured Faculty

Yuhan Ding
Associate Teaching Professor of Applied Mathematics Program Director, Master of Data Science
Ioan Raicu
Associate Professor of Computer Science Associate Program Director Master of Data Science
CS Chair Arganom
Chair, Department of Computer Science Professor of Computer Science
Lulu Kang
Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics
Mustafa Bilgic
Associate Professor of Computer Science Program Director, Master of Artificial Intelligence
Sonja Petrovic
Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics
Gady Agam
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Maggie Cheng
Professor of Applied Mathematics Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Scientific Computation
Matthew Dixon
Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics Program Director, Master of Financial Technology Affiliate Associate Professor, Stuart School of Business
Boris Glavic
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Kai Shu
Gladwin Development Chair Assistant Professor of Computer Science

A data scientist's job is to make sense of a complex and changing world.

Shlomo Argamon, Chair Department of Computer Science

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Data Science is the driving force to advance technology.

Lulu Kang, Associate Professor Applied Mathematics

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