The Master of Science in Data Science
The Master of Science in Data Science at Rockford University is designed to equip students with the skills and support needed to excel in the ever-evolving field. With a strong focus on career advancement, we provide mentorship opportunities, tailored resume workshops, and interview preparation specifically for data science roles. Our comprehensive approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared to succeed in a myriad of different fields and careers.
A Unique Approach
Our approach to teaching data science at the Master’s level creates a dynamic learning environment that emphasizes collaboration in a practical setting. Students will benefit from a strong focus on real-world examples, allowing them to apply techniques effectively and analyze case studies. Throughout the program, students will have opportunities to demonstrate the skills they acquire, culminating in a final project that showcases their expertise.
Cultivate Critical Skills
Developing the skills necessary for an exciting career involves mastering key areas such as data analysis, machine learning, visualization, programming, and math for data science. These competencies are highly valuable across various industries, including finance, policy, business, and many others, opening doors to a wide range of career opportunities.
Courses
Required Courses:
- DATA 501 Introduction to Data Science
- DATA 502 Introduction to Data Science Programming
- DATA 503 Mathematics for Data Science
- DATA 519 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- DATA 540 Data Mining & Visualization
- DATA 554 Database Management Systems
- DATA 555 Advanced Database Management Systems
- DATA 557 Introduction to Big Data Analytics
- DATA 560 Text Mining and Language Processing
- DATA 580 Principles of Cybersecurity
- DATA 595 Data Science Capstone
For a full list of courses, including prerequisities, visit the academic catalog.
Career Paths and Opportunities
Look forward to a career that works for you.
Data Science is a growing field with graduates in great demand. Industries seeking data professional include banking, fintech, consulting, travel and transport, utilities, healthcare, retail, and many more.
You could work as a:
- Data Scientist
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Data Analyst
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Data Engineer
- Statistician
- Quantitative Analyst
Work for companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Facebook, DataRobot, Intuit, Johnson & Johnson, Tesla, JPMorganChase, Deloitte, Bank of America, Grammarly, and Spring Health.
Industry reports project a 36% growth in demand for Data Scientists by 2031, making it one of the fastest-growing careers. Forbes highlights a key trend for empowering entire workforces to effectively use analytics. This includes leveraging AI, Cloud technology, Data-as-a-Service, Real-Time Data, and adhering to Data Governance and Regulations. Gaining expertise in data across various fields of science will open doors to rewarding career opportunities.
Data Science Program
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-4050Mehmet Dik, Ph.D.
Professor of Mathematics; Chair, Department of Mathematics, Computer Science & Physics
MDik@rockford.edu
Phone: 815-226-4135
Office of Admission
Johnson Center
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-4050
Fax: 815-226-2822
Email: Admissions@rockford.eduHours
Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Please call to reserve an appointment on Saturdays.Meet Our Admissions Team!
