Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics


William Hahn, Ph.D. Assistant Professor	Hongwei Long, Ph.D. Professor	Francis Motta, Ph.D. Assistant Professor	Vincent Naudot, Ph.D Professor and Associate Chair	Dragan Radulovic, Ph.D. Professor

FAU’s “University of Distinction” plan for applied artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics was officially approved by the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System. The College of Science offers the Master of Science (M.S.) in Data Science and Analytics via the Scientific Inquiry degree program. The concentration is housed in the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Students will emerge from the program with a broad understanding of data challenges and opportunities, along with the research and inquiry skills necessary to conduct independent research and answer questions within their area of specialization. Graduates will be well prepared with rich hands-on experience and data analytics skills to enter the high demand workforce in the era of big data and quantum information processing under exciting roles such as Data Curator, Data Analyst, Statistician, Data Scientist, Market Analyst, Software Engineer, and others.

The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science Machine Perception and Cognitive Robotics Lab will soon be opening the Rubin and Cindy Gruber Sandbox, a 3,400 square foot tech resource center designed to cater to students from across the University where one can directly engage with the fast-advancing field of artificial intelligence. The college's AI effort will be bolstered by its strengths in quantum information science, including the Quantum Lab as well as the FAU's Center for Cryptology and Information Security, designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Research.

M.S. Data Science and Analytics Degree Requirements

Visit the University Catalog to review core requirements for the Data Science via Scientific Inquiry Concentration.

The Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics (MS-DSA) is a multi-college interdisciplinary program, jointly administered by the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the College of Engineering & Computer Science, the College of Business, and the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters. It is designed to provide students with interests in Data Science and Data Analytics a unique and multifaceted educational opportunity within and across each of its areas of concentration. To allow for maximum flexibility in career aspirations, applicants may select from four concentrations: Data Analytics in Business, Data Science and Engineering, Data Science in Society, and Data Science via Scientific Inquiry.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to meeting all of the University and College admission requirements for graduate study, each applicant for the MS-DSA program must:

have obtained a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and possess a minimal background consisting of MAC 2233 (Method of Calculus) or equivalent, STA 2023 (Introductory Statistics) or equivalent, and computer programming COP 2220, MAD 2502, or equivalent. Knowledge of Python and statistical packages, such as R, as well as coursework in linear algebra are recommended.
have a minimum of 3.0 GPA (B or better average) on the last 60 hours of undergraduate credits and establish graduate level proficiency.
provide two letters of recommendation.
have a minimum GRE score of 151 Verbal and 151 Quantitative for GREs taken after August 2014. GRE scores older than 5 years prior to admission will not accepted. The Data Science and Engineering concentration requires the submission of the GRE score (Verbal and Quantitative sections), but no minimum values are imposed.

To Apply

Click here for details on what and where to submit

Contact Us

Lun-Ching Chang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Statistics Advisor
M.S. Data Science and Analytics Faculty Team Liaison
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Science Building (SE-43), Room 222
Boca Raton Campus Map561-297-3340 | changl@fau.edu | Program Sheet