MSDS, Data Science

Overview

With data collection and usage expanding exponentially, data science is one of today's fastest growing fields. Texas A&M's interdisciplinary Master of Science in Data Science master's degree -- offered by the Departments of Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mathematics, and Statistics from the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences, and administered jointly with the Texas A&M Institute of Data Science -- harnesses the strengths of multiple departments in two colleges to provides students with a solid foundation in mathematics, statistics, computer science, and machine learning. Graduates will be prepared for exciting careers in data science, consulting, financial services, governmental, healthcare, pharmaceutical, marketing and technology fields. 

Curriculum core courses include Mathematical Foundations for Data Science, Statistical Foundations for Data Science, Data Mining and Analysis, and Databases and Computational Tools Used in Big Data. The Department of Statistics is the curricular home of the program, and Texas A&M Institute of Data Science (TAMIDS) will coordinate the joint governance of the degree by the participating departments. 
 

Course Plan

The student’s advisory committee, in consultation with the student, will develop the proposed degree plan. The degree plan must be completed and filed with the Graduate and Professional School prior to the deadline imposed by the student’s college or interdisciplinary degree program, if applicable, and no later than 90 days prior to the date of the final oral examination or thesis defense. 

A student should submit the degree plan using the online Document Processing Submission System.

A student submitting a proposed degree plan for a Master of Science degree should designate on the official degree plan the appropriate program option.

Additional coursework may be added to the approved degree plan by petition  if it is deemed necessary by the advisory committee to correct deficiencies in the student’s academic preparation. No changes can be made to the degree plan once the student’s Request for Final Examination or Request for Final Examination Exemption is approved by the Graduate and Professional School.
 

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Applicants should submit a statement of purpose to describe the reasons for pursuing graduate study, academic and professional interests and goals, and experiences preparing for graduate study. Submit it in the Program Materials quadrant of GraduateCAS under Documents.
• CV/Resume: The CV/resume should outline the work history, educational background, relevant publications and patents, and research experience, and also include a section about the relevant courses taken and associated grades. Submit it in the Supporting Information quadrant of GraduateCAS under Documents.
• Transcript: Submit a non-official transcript in the Academic History quadrant of GraduateCAS. Official transcripts are required only if you are admitted and intend to enroll. 
• 3 Recommendation Letters: Provide the contact information of your referees in the Program Materials quadrant of GraduateCAS under Recommendations. An email request will automatically be sent to each referee on your behalf.
• GRE (optional): You can self-report GRE scores in the Academic History quadrant of GraduateCAS under Standardized Tests. The GRE requirement is waived for all applicants for Fall 2023 admissions.
• TOEFL and other language requirements: International applicants must have a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or IELTS exams. For the English language proficiency requirement by the university, see International Graduate – Admissions (tamu.edu). You can self-report standardized test scores or report tests planned to take in the Academic History quadrant of GraduateCAS under Standardized Tests. Official scores must be sent directly from the testing service, institution code for Texas A&M University is 6003.
• Other supporting documents (optional): If you have publications or other documents that may show your qualification to the program, you may submit them as additional materials in the Program Materials quadrant of GraduateCAS under Documents.
• Application fee: The application fee is nonrefundable and must be paid at the time of submission.