M.S. in Criminal Justice
The M.S. in Criminal Justice at UTC is structured to provide students with advanced kno...
M.S. in Computer Science: Data Science
Chattanooga, Tennessee
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Computer Science: Data Science concentration at UTC provides a robust blend of theoretical foundations and practical application. It focuses on the entire data science lifecycle, from data collection and management to analysis, modeling, visualization, and interpretation. Students can choose between a thesis option (33 semester hours) or a project option (36 semester hours), allowing them to pursue in-depth research or a more applied, hands-on development experience. The program is typically a 1.5 to 2-year full-time endeavor, emphasizing hands-on learning and preparing graduates for diverse roles in data-driven fields.
STEM-Designated: Yes, the M.S. in Computer Science, including the Data Science concentration at UTC, is a STEM-designated program. This is a significant advantage, particularly for international students, as it makes them eligible for the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension. This allows international graduates to work in the U.S. for up to 36 months after graduation, providing extended opportunities for practical experience and potential long-term career paths. The STEM designation highlights the program's rigorous quantitative, technical, and scientific nature, aligning it with national priorities in technology and data-driven innovation.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the M.S. in Computer Science: Data Science is comprehensive, covering core computer science principles alongside specialized data science methodologies. Students typically complete 15 semester hours of core computer science courses, which may include advanced topics in programming languages, algorithm analysis, and computer networks. The data science concentration then dives into specialized areas such as big data analytics, machine learning, data visualization, statistical foundations for data science, and data-centered programming (often in Python). The curriculum is designed to ensure students gain proficiency in data manipulation, interpretation, and presentation, utilizing modern tools and techniques. For students who may need foundational computer science knowledge, bridging courses might be required.
Research Focus: The UTC M.S. in Computer Science: Data Science places a strong emphasis on applied research and the development of innovative data solutions. Students electing the thesis option undertake original research, contributing to advancements in data science methodologies or applications. Faculty members within the Computer Science and Engineering department have diverse research interests highly relevant to data science, including machine learning and artificial intelligence (with applications in healthcare, computer vision, and natural language processing), data analytics, bioinformatics, and quantum data processing. This environment provides students with opportunities to work on cutting-edge problems, apply advanced algorithms, and analyze real-world datasets, fostering both theoretical understanding and practical problem-solving abilities.
Industry Engagement: The program is deeply committed to preparing students for successful careers in the data-driven economy. It focuses on practical, experiential learning, ensuring graduates possess skills highly valued by employers. Through project-based coursework and potential internship or co-op opportunities, students gain valuable real-world experience, applying their knowledge to solve actual industry problems. The department maintains connections with a variety of companies across different sectors, and its graduates find employment in Fortune 500 companies, as well as government and private organizations. The curriculum is continuously updated to reflect current industry trends and emerging technologies in data science, enhancing graduates' competitiveness in the job market.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Computer Science: Data Science program at UTC inherently fosters a global perspective, as data science is a universally applicable discipline with global implications. Data is collected, analyzed, and leveraged across borders in multinational corporations, international research collaborations, and global initiatives. The program's rigorous training in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization provides a universal skill set. By engaging with diverse datasets and real-world problems that often have international dimensions, students develop a broader understanding of how data science can address challenges and create opportunities on a global scale. The diverse composition of the student body and faculty also enriches the learning environment with varied cultural and technological viewpoints.
Location
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 26852
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $40
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students pursuing their education in the United States. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership qualities, and contributions to the campus community, helping to make higher education more affordable and accessible for students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UTC provides merit-based scholarships that international students can apply for, typically based on their academic achievements, standardized test scores, and overall potential. These scholarships often cover partial to full tuition and are renewable based on maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are available exclusively for international students, helping offset tuition fees and living expenses. These awards may vary annually and are competitive, encouraging students to demonstrate strong academic records and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UTC offer scholarships targeted at students within specific fields of study. International students enrolled in areas such as Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, or Arts and Sciences can explore scholarship options through their respective colleges or departments.
Graduates with an M.S. in Computer Science with a Data Science concentration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) are highly competitive in the booming data-driven economy. Their advanced skills in programming, statistics, machine learning, and data visualization make them invaluable across virtually all industries. This specialization prepares them for roles that involve extracting meaningful insights from complex datasets and building intelligent systems.
Data Scientist: This is the most direct career path, involving the full lifecycle of data, from collection and cleaning to building predictive models, developing algorithms, and communicating insights to drive business decisions. Data scientists work in diverse sectors like tech, finance, healthcare, and retail.
Machine Learning Engineer: Graduates in this role focus on designing, building, and deploying machine learning models and artificial intelligence systems. They implement algorithms, optimize model performance, and integrate AI solutions into various applications and products.
Data Engineer: These professionals build and maintain the infrastructure for large-scale data processing. They are responsible for designing, constructing, installing, and managing data pipelines and data warehouses, ensuring data is accessible, reliable, and optimized for analysis.
Business Intelligence (BI) Developer/Analyst: Graduates can translate complex data into understandable insights for business decision-makers. They create dashboards, reports, and data visualizations, helping organizations monitor performance, identify trends, and make informed strategic choices.
Quantitative Analyst (Quant): Particularly in finance, quants use advanced mathematical, statistical, and computational methods to develop models for financial markets, risk management, and algorithmic trading strategies. This role requires strong analytical and programming skills.
Research Scientist (Applied/Computational): In corporate R&D labs, government agencies, or academic settings, graduates can conduct research to develop new data science methodologies, algorithms, or applications. This often involves exploring novel ways to extract value from data or solve complex scientific problems.
Data Analyst (Senior/Lead): While "Data Analyst" can be an entry-level role, an M.S. degree allows graduates to step into more senior positions, leading analytical projects, mentoring junior analysts, and contributing to more complex data interpretations and strategic recommendations.
Database Architect/Developer: Graduates can design and manage robust database systems, ensuring data integrity, security, and efficient storage and retrieval. This is a foundational role crucial for any organization dealing with large volumes of data.
AI Research Engineer: These roles focus on the research and development of cutting-edge AI technologies, including natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. Graduates contribute to advancing the capabilities of intelligent systems.
Product Analyst (Data-focused): In tech companies, product analysts use data to understand user behavior, evaluate product features, and inform product development strategies. They leverage A/B testing, user analytics, and statistical analysis to drive product improvements.
