Data Science, MS

Program Coordinator: Nic Herndon (C-108 Science and Technology Building; 252-328-9696; herndonn19@ecu.edu)

The Data Science, MS is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with practical skills balanced with theoretical knowledge and professional practice. Two pathways are available for completing the data science program requirements: a traditional pathway for students with a degree in computer science and a non-traditional pathway for students in quantitative disciplines.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should follow the admissions requirements and process as stated in the admission and retention section of the graduate catalog and the graduate admissions website. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a minimum score of 30th percentile on the GRE General test are required for regular admission. Those who do not meet the requirement may be admitted by exception. Decisions will be made on a case by case basis. Nonnative speakers must submit an acceptable score on one of the language tests approved by the Graduate School or have evidence of at least 1 year of college/university study in the United States.

Pathways for Entry into the Program

Two pathways are available for completing the data science program requirements. The appropriate pathway depends on the undergraduate major.

Traditional Pathway

The traditional entry pathway is for students whose bachelor’s degrees are in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, information technology, management information systems, or a similar computing discipline. Thirty (30) semester hours are required to earn the degree.

Nontraditional Pathway

The nontraditional entry pathway is for students whose bachelor’s degrees are in engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, or similar analytic and quantitative discipline. Students entering through this pathway are required to complete two specially designed courses during their first semester of study (SENG 5000 and SENG 5005). Thirty-eight (38) hours are required to earn the degree.

Plan of Study

Students are required to complete a Plan of Study Form in consultation with the graduate program director before they begin their graduate study. This is usually done during the week before the first day of classes of first semester.

Traditional Pathway Degree Requirements

Minimum degree requirement is 30 s.h. as follows:

Core - 12 s.h.

Options - 18 s.h.

Choose one of the following three options:

Thesis (6 s.h. of CSCI 7000) and Electives (12 s.h.)

A thesis is required for this option. Students summarize their research in the form of a formal written document and deliver an oral presentation. Thesis research is typically conducted over two semesters. Six (6) s. h. count toward the degree requirements. Twelve (12) s. h. of 6000-level data science (DASC), computer science (CSCI), software engineering (SENG), or other graduate courses approved by the graduate program director are required for this option. The semester hours from SENG courses must not exceed three (3) s. h. The semester hours from graduate courses outside of data science (DASC), computer science (CSCI), and software engineering (SENG) must not exceed nine (9) s.h.

Project (3 s.h. of CSCI 6995) and Electives (15 s.h.)

A research project with a written report is required for this option. Students select topics for their projects in consultation with research advisors prior to the beginning of the last semester of study. The project involves collecting research literature on a topic of interest, critically examining it, and summarizing the research in the form of a formal technical report. This option may also involve developing software systems or proof of concept systems. Students must deliver an oral presentation of their findings. The research project is typically completed during the last semester of study. Fifteen (15) s. h. of 6000-level data science (DASC), computer science (CSCI), software engineering (SENG), or other graduate courses approved by the graduate program director are required for this option. The semester hours from graduate courses outside of data science (DASC), computer science (CSCI), and software engineering (SENG) must not exceed nine (9) s.h.

Electives (18 s.h. of electives only)

Eighteen (18) s.h. of 6000-level data science (DASC), computer science (CSCI), software engineering (SENG), or other graduate courses approved by the graduate program director are required for this option. The semester hours from graduate courses outside of data science (DASC), computer science (CSCI), and software engineering (SENG) must not exceed nine (9) s.h.

Note:

The coursework option requires an e-Portfolio comprehensive assessment. Please contact the program coordinator for more information.

Nontraditional Pathway Degree Requirements

Minimum degree requirements is 38 s.h. as follows:

Bridge courses - 8 s.h.

Core - 12 s.h.

Options - 18 s.h.

Choose one of the following three options:

Thesis (6 s.h. of CSCI 7000) and Electives (12 s.h.)

A thesis is required for this option. Students summarize their research in the form of a formal written document and deliver an oral presentation. Thesis research is typically conducted over two semesters. Six (6) s.h. count toward the degree requirements. Twelve (12) s.h. of 6000-level data science (DASC), computer science (CSCI), software engineering (SENG), or other graduate courses approved by the graduate program director are required for this option. The semester hours from SENG courses must not exceed three (3) s.h. The semester hours from graduate courses outside of data science (DASC), computer science (CSCI), and software engineering (SENG) must not exceed nine (9) s.h.

Project (3 s.h. of CSCI 6995) and Electives (15 s.h.)

A research project with a written report is required for this option. Students select topics for their projects in consultation with research advisors prior to the beginning of the last semester of study. The project involves collecting research literature on a topic of interest, critically examining it, and summarizing the research in the form of a formal technical report. This option may also involve developing software systems or proof of concept systems. Students must deliver an oral presentation of their findings. The research project is typically completed during the last semester of study. Fifteen (15) s.h. of 6000-level data science (DASC), computer science (CSCI), software engineering (SENG), or other graduate courses approved by the graduate program director are required for this option. The semester hours from graduate courses outside of data science (DASC), computer science (CSCI), and software engineering (SENG) must not exceed nine (9) s.h.

Coursework (18 s.h. of electives only)

Note:

The coursework option requires an e-Portfolio comprehensive assessment. Please contact the program coordinator for more information.

Electives

Students will choose three elective courses (at least 9 s.h.) in a focused area of study in consultation with the faculty graduate program director. Faculty advisors affiliated with the interdisciplinary program are available to assist the student and the graduate program director to identify appropriate courses. Areas of focus might include, for example, health informatics, bioinformatics, image analysis, data visualization, analysis of natural languages, geospatial analysis, remote sensing, industrial and organizational psychology, econometrics, and groundwater modeling. Students with interest in other focus areas are encouraged to consult with the graduate program director.

Note:

For both traditional and nontraditional pathway students, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be earned for all graduate courses. No more than 6 s.h. of course work evaluated as a C may be counted toward the degree.