Curriculum

Cutting-Edge Data Science Meets Real-World Impact

Students in UC San Diego’s Master of Data Science (MDS) program develop deep expertise in gathering, managing, and analyzing complex data sets, applying advanced statistical and machine learning methods, clearly communicating actionable insights, and thoughtfully addressing the ethical and societal impacts of data-driven decisions.

Collect, clean, and curate raw data from diverse sources to prepare it for meaningful analysis.

Effectively manage and analyze large-scale datasets using advanced database and computational tools.

Apply appropriate statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and data visualization techniques to generate insightful analyses and guide strategic decision-making.

Communicate findings clearly and effectively through professional presentations and reports suitable for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Identify and thoughtfully address ethical and societal considerations related to data collection, analysis, and the responsible reporting of results.

To achieve these learning objectives, students will take a combination of ten courses.  Seven of these ten courses are required and provide the core of being a data scientist. The remaining three courses are electives, allowing students to specialize in different topics of their interest.

Foundations

(Take All Three Courses) These courses build your essential knowledge base, providing core analytical and technical skills needed to succeed throughout the program.

Foundations Courses

Core

(Take All Three Courses) Explore the critical pillars of data science, including advanced statistical modeling, machine learning, and data management—equipping you for immediate, practical application in the field.

Core Courses

Electives

(Pick Any Three Courses) Customize your learning path by selecting electives that match your career goals and industry interests, enabling deeper specialization and expertise in key areas of data science.

Elective Courses

Capstone

(One Course) In this hands-on, quarter-long project, you’ll apply your data science skills to solve real-world challenges, collaborating on domain-specific projects spanning fields such as AI, healthcare analytics, financial modeling, natural language processing, environmental data analysis and more.

Capstone Courses