Data Science with Applied Research

This course aims to prepare students for a successful career as a data scientist or business analyst, working in any profession where large amounts of data are collected. Learn key skills such as data acquisition, information extraction, aggregation and representation, and data analysis using state-of-the-art machine learning techniques. These skills are typically in high demand in many industries including IT, business, security, health, intelligent transport, energy, and the creative industries.

While the course has a particular focus on the employment needs of the local economy, the skills and abilities developed are easily transferred to a more global stage.

Undertaking an applied research project across two semesters will provide an opportunity to develop the skills necessary to independently plan and organise an extensive piece of research in a selected application area, and to implement a novel solution over a sustained period.

For further course details please see "Course Web Page".

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
• Data Science Foundations
• Big Data Technologies
• Business Intelligence and Analytics
• Data Validation and Visualisation
• Deep Learning and Natural Language Programming
• Statistical Modelling and Machine Learning
• Research Masters Project (Applied Research)

Standard entry conditions
To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.

Entry Requirements
Applicants must:
(a) have gained
(i) a second class honours degree or better from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification;

and the qualification must be in the subject areas of computing, engineering or related discipline

And
(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink").

The degree will normally be completed in four semesters across a two academic years.

Start Dates: September 2024 and January 2025

Career options
The key message from employability and work-related learning initiatives is that enhancing opportunities to develop work-related learning and employability enhances the learning of the subject being studied. We understand the importance of including real industrial and commercial contexts to our student's experience, so this MSc Data Science will pursue opportunities for industrially linked teaching material and student project work. In this regard, we will utilise our business and industry links to facilitate an industrially relevant student project. Such projects create valuable experiences for the student, and additionally, they can also help to build new and ongoing collaborations with departments and companies, with the potential to tap into funding streams designed for industry-academic research and development.

A recent statement from Ulster University’s Careers Office indicates that Data analysts are in high demand across all sectors, such as finance, consulting, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, government and education. Data analysts can work in large companies such as the ‘big four’ consultancies or financial services firms, or consumer retail firms, small and medium sized businesses such as marketing agencies’ or the public sector.