It’s getting harder to do business without harnessing the full power of data. As the value of data soars, so does the importance of having data scientists. The US Bureau of Labour Statistics show that employment in this field is expected to grow 36% from 2021 to 2031, much faster on average compared to other occupations. For companies to make more informed decisions critical to the growth of the business, they need data scientists who can manage, analyse and understand complex data to make strategic decisions. Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University recognises the demand for agile data scientists and offers students an up-to-date Master of Science in Data Science. Whether you’re looking to accelerate your career or to stay relevant in this fast-changing industry, this degree can equip you with both the knowledge and skills to lead the digital frontier upon graduation. Ranked third in the nation for its online programme, this STEM-designated programme is designed to help aspiring data scientists make a name for themselves across a variety of business settings and industries such as in the fields of business analytics, business intelligence, or big data Cutting-edge curriculum is paired with hands-on learning and delivered in line with the college’s mission of promoting intellectual curiosity. Students start by building a strong foundation in core subjects including Statistics for Data Science, Scripting Languages, Database Concepts, Project Management, Big Data Strategy, Business Intelligence, Multivariate Analysis, Time Series Analysis, Simulation and Optimisation, Decision Theory and Business Analytics, Big Data Security, as well as the ever-so-current topic of Machine Learning. The use of advanced technologies and statistical methods to manipulate data and translate findings into actionable organisational strategies are part of the syllabus. Of course, this is only made possible through dedicated faculty members like Dr. Alireza Sheikh-Zadeh, Dr. David Lucus and Dr. Eric Brown. They represent just a sampling of how passionate the MSDS faculty are. All share a common goal of helping students learn effectively to become job-ready graduates. Dr. Sheikh-Zadeh has taught different courses for the MSDS programme over the last five years – statistics for data science, multivariate analysis, and simulation and optimisation. He has also been involved in curriculum improvement and assessment. “As a scholar, I try to create synergy between my research and teaching. Research and teaching in data science help me to stay current with the most recent advancements in the field. I also enjoy helping young talents who seek to develop a career in data science,” he shares. In Dr. Sheikh-Zadeh’s classes, students learn with various simulation and optimisation techniques that expose them to the experience of translating real-world problems into math-based computer models. Similarly, Dr. Brown is constantly looking out for new techniques to see how he as an educator can give students the opportunity to experience everything that is out there. He is hopeful about what the future brings for the data science field and aspires to impart the newest knowledge to tomorrow’s data scientists. “There are a lot of really exciting things happening at the frontier of data science. Techniques like adversarial neural networks and large language models are achieving some amazing results on all types of data and problems,” he shares. “Part of what is attractive about teaching in this programme is getting to do so in a business school. There are a lot of programs out there like MSDS, but what we seek to achieve in this programme is passing along the ability to turn these ideas students learn into business value.” For Dr. Lucas, his focus on helping students carry out their own analysis with the data that’s readily available rather than relying on another source. “I want to help students understand the value of data and appreciate the work that goes into preparing data prior to analysis and help them understand that data is readily available and that the analysis can be done rather than relying on another source, if they can identify and collect the necessary data,” he explains. With the MSDS’s flexible nature, students can tailor their course choices according to their personal needs. The programme can be completed in one year or two — coursework for the one-year option can be completed on campus or online. The two-year programme is available online only. Classes are set in a cohort-based learning environment that encourages enduring connections with peers from varying backgrounds and industries. The Rawls Career Management Centre (CMC) adds another layer of support — that leads to great results, with 92.3% of MSDS graduates employed within 90 days post graduation. This is thanks to CMC’s continuous guidance to students during their recruitment processes by providing expert coaching, workshops and events; reviewing resumes; conducting mock interviews; hosting etiquette dinners; as well as conducting on-campus interviews and career fairs. Each fair brings in over 150 esteemed employers from across the US. The MSDS’s STEM-designation also makes international students eligible to work under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme — for up to three years after receiving their degrees. Don’t miss out on a chance to propel yourself up the career ladder as a data scientist. Click here to apply to Rawls College of Business today. 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