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The Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) at the University of Chicago is an intensive, career-oriented graduate program that blends foundational data science theory with cutting-edge applications. Offered through the Committee on Data Science (CODAS), the program prepares students to tackle complex data challenges in business, healthcare, government, and research sectors using advanced computational, statistical, and analytical tools.
Students are trained in the full data lifecycle: from acquisition and wrangling to modeling, visualization, interpretation, and ethical deployment—making them valuable contributors in data-driven organizations.
Program Format & Duration
Full-time (12 months) or Part-time (up to 4 years)
Evening/weekend courses to accommodate working professionals
Optional pre-orientation Python bootcamp for non-technical backgrounds
Core Curriculum Components
The MSDS curriculum consists of 12 graduate-level courses covering:
Foundational Courses
DSCI 30111: Statistical Analysis
DSCI 30121: Linear Algebra and Optimization
DSCI 30131: Machine Learning Fundamentals
DSCI 30141: Data Engineering Platforms
Advanced & Applied Courses
DSCI 30151: Advanced Machine Learning
DSCI 30161: Natural Language Processing
DSCI 30171: Time Series Analysis or Deep Learning
DSCI 30181: Ethics, Fairness, and Responsibility in Data Science
Electives
Electives allow specialization in fields such as:
Finance & econometrics
Computational biology
Artificial intelligence
Human-centered design & communication
Cloud computing & big data systems
Students may also take select courses from UChicago’s Booth School of Business, Computer Science, or Public Policy departments with advisor approval.
The UChicago MSDS program strongly emphasizes real-world learning through applied projects, industry exposure, and interdisciplinary research.
Capstone Project
A cornerstone of the program, the Capstone Project involves a team-based, industry-sponsored data challenge. Students work with actual clients—ranging from Fortune 500 companies to research labs—on problems such as:
Fraud detection
Recommendation systems
Predictive maintenance
Public health modeling
NLP for customer feedback analysis
Each project includes:
Data exploration and wrangling
Statistical and ML modeling
Cloud-based deployment
Executive-level presentation
Research & Labs
Students may collaborate with:
Center for Data and Computing (CDAC)
UChicago Urban Labs
Polsky Center for Innovation
Argonne National Laboratory or Fermilab
Research areas include:
Computational social science
Health analytics
Climate modeling
Computational economics
Professional Development
UChicago provides robust support through:
Technical interview prep and case studies
Data science career workshops and panels
Recruiting fairs and alumni networking events
Git, Docker, and cloud computing training
Students gain hands-on experience in:
Python, R, SQL
Hadoop, Spark, AWS, GCP
TensorFlow, PyTorch
Tableau, D3.js, Power BI
Graduates of UChicago’s MS in Data Science program are highly sought after for their quantitative depth, technical agility, and ethical mindset. The program’s strong academic rigor and practical orientation equip students for leadership in both established companies and startups.
Career Outcomes
Students pursue roles such as:
Hiring Industries
Graduate Study Options
While this is a terminal master’s program, strong performers occasionally pursue:
Salary Overview-
Top Employers-
Geographic Placement-
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What This Means for You-
Transcripts: Upload official transcripts from all previous institutions; certified English translations required if not in English.Candidate Statement: Submit a statement describing your academic background, career goals, research experience, and why you are pursuing this degree.Resume/CV: Provide a current resume detailing relevant academic, professional, and technical experience.Letters of Recommendation: Submit three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.English Proficiency: TOEFL (minimum 104) or IELTS (minimum 7.0) required unless you qualify for a waiver.GRE Scores: Optional; may be submitted if taken within the last five years.Application Fee: A non-refundable $90 application fee is required.Three Year Degrees: The University of Chicago’s graduate programs accept three-year bachelor’s degrees as valid undergraduate qualifications. They acknowledge that in many countries—such as the UK—a three-year degree (e.g., BSc, BTech) is the standard format for undergraduate education.WES: Not mandatory for international students, submit only if asked.Data AnalystData ScientistBusiness AnalystStatisticianStatistical ProgrammerSAS ProgrammerMachine Learning EngineerDeep Learning EngineerAI ResearcherData EngineerBI DeveloperData ArchitectAnalytics ConsultantAdvisory ConsultantQuantitative AnalystRisk AnalystOperations AnalystMarketing AnalystResearch ScientistInsights AnalystForecasting AnalystHealthcare Data AnalystFinancial Data AnalystProduct Analyst
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