Course summary

Course details From personalised medicine to smart cities and sustainable solutions, data science is building a better world. At the same time, developments in technology have made the field of data science more accessible than ever, creating new opportunities to gain insight into the interactions between people and their social environment. With companies and organisations of all types harnessing this technology to advance knowledge and aid policy and business decisions, there has been a significant increase in demand for skilled data scientists. Drawing on this, we have created the Master of Data Science (Social Analytics), a conversion course that opens up a future in data science even if your first degree is in a non-quantitative subject (including the social sciences, the arts and humanities). The course equips you with the skills to process and analyse data, communicate your findings to a wide audience whilst applying this knowledge to practical situations. The MDS provides training in contemporary data science, learning from practicing researchers who are making a difference across a range of industries. Why Durham University? Durham University is home to the specialist Institute for Data Science, which acts as a hub for new ideas and works to realise its vision to help transform nature, society and culture. The Institute has many years of supporting taught degrees from Departments across the University. Our Masters of Data Science programmes deliver the expertise to capture and analyse the huge amounts of data being generated across the world. The suite of interdisciplinary degrees unlocks key information that will ultimately result in more informed decisions being made in all areas of life. The Masters of Data Science programmes develop expertise on the capture and processing information derived from the vast volumes of complex data being generated across the globe that affects all our lives. A wide range of groups such as businesses, researchers, governments, communities, families and individuals can all use that data to make more informed decisions and therefore increase the chances of better outcomes for society, in fields such as health, environmental sciences, and social analytics. Facilities Data Science is a conversion course that incorporates content from many Departments across the University. This provides access to a selection of related state-of-the-art facilities from across the University, in particular Computer Science and Mathematics. Facilities will depend on the subject specialism but include laboratories, libraries, project spaces, lecture theatres, study and networking spaces as well as shared social spaces. Most departments are close to the historic centre of Durham which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Career Opportunities The skills and knowledge that constitute a Masters qualification in Data Science are widely sought by employers around the globe. In today’s data-driven society, the ability to capture, analyse and communicate information and trends from the data generated by business, governments and their agencies, communities and organisations is highly prized. It follows that Data Science is a rapidly expanding career sector with opportunities for stimulating and rewarding work in many sectors including the areas of science, humanities, health, environmental and social where understanding and expertise in data is leading to transformations in the way people live and work.