Master of Science in Data Science: Curriculum

Curriculum Details

30 TOTAL
CREDITS REQUIRED

In this 30-credit-hour program, you'll complete 15 credit hours of data science core before finishing the program with 12 credit hours in an area(s) of your choosing, including four focus areas: Social Science, Cybersecurity, Business Analytics, or Financial Crime. You can also design your own specialization and put the data to work in the field of your choice.

Then, choose between a three-credit capstone or thesis project to demonstrate your new expertise in a hands-on practicum or research project. The program is designed so it can be completed in as few as five continuous semesters of study, or about two years.

The curriculum course abstracts on this page are meant to provide a high-level course overview and subject to change based on term, faculty, and/or institutional requirements. View the official course descriptions as written in the Utica College Academic Catalog and in adherence to regional compliance.

Required Courses

Credit Hours

Core Total Hours:

DSC 501 Introduction to Data ScienceCredit Hours: 3

Explore important data science goals and objectives that inform data collection and analysis techniques. You'll gain an understanding of how appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods, data collection techniques, and software help data scientists interpret and apply research findings to help solve real-world problems using private and proprietary data sources, as well as publicly available ones. You will develop advanced critical thinking in research ethics and social responsibilities, as they relate to management and decision sciences.

DSC 503 Statistical MethodsCredit Hours: 3

Learn advanced statistical models for data analysis. Gain a theoretical understanding and practical application of the principles and techniques of statistical data analysis. 

DSC 607 Data MiningCredit Hours: 3

Develop an understanding of theoretical concepts and methods in the field of data mining. Explore data mining methods used for prediction and knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) by using programming software to analyze real-world data.

DSC 609 Machine LearningCredit Hours: 3

Understand the key machine learning algorithms and their applications to real-world problems. Learn theoretical foundations and empirical applications of machine learning with hands-on programming assignments and projects.

DSC 611 Data VisualizationCredit Hours: 3

Become an effective data storyteller by creating rich visuals to represent and communicate data analysis.

DSC 680 CapstoneCredit Hours: 3

During this on-site, hands-on learning experience, you'll choose a research setting in the private or public sector to collect and analyze data, consider ethical implications of research, and draw empirically grounded conclusions.

DSC 690 ThesisCredit Hours: 3

You'll apply the full research process to complete this thesis project, including selecting a research topic, preparing a literature review, collecting and analyzing data, and completing a discussion.

If you're interested in completing a Ph.D. program, you may benefit from the experience of completing this course.

Social Science Analytics Specialization Total Hours:

SOC 555 Community and Social ChangeCredit Hours: 3

Explore the challenges and opportunities facing American communities by discussing urban growth, structure, segregation, and basic economic and social processes found in cities. You'll analyze census data and examine policy applications for basic Geographic Information System (GIS) and data visualization practices.

SOC 563 Complex OrganizationsCredit Hours: 3

Study complex organizations in modern society and explore how those organizations are influenced by cyber conflict. You'll examine the basic character of bureaucracy, its functional significance for society, its pathological aspects, its internal structure, and the effects of informal relations within formal systems.

SOC 565 DemographyCredit Hours: 3

Study human population size, growth, density, and change while focusing on fertility, mortality, and migration patterns in the United States. You'll gain a comparative perspective to allow for the analysis of various demographic variables.

ECN 575 Behavioral EconomicsCredit Hours: 3

Learn how behavioral economics questions the underlying assumptions of classical economics, and how it incorporates social sciences theories to better understand and predict how people make decisions. You'll explore how these insights—combined with data collected from experiments—can be used to develop strategies to address individual and societal problems.

Prerequisites: DSC 501, DSC 503, DSC 607, DSC 609, or Permission of Instructor

Cybersecurity Specialization Total Hours:

CYB 605 Principles of CybersecurityCredit Hours: 3

Explore the following foundational concepts and processes for information security in cyberspace: incident response, reporting, containment, and restoration of the information infrastructure.

CYB 606 Cyberspace and CybersecurityCredit Hours: 3

Gain an introduction to the disciplines of cyberspace and cybersecurity, including key concepts, terms, and definitions. Examine threats, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures associated with cybersecurity, and explore the topics of cybersecurity policy, risk, and compliance.

CYB 610 Cyber IntelligenceCredit Hours: 3

Explore foundational concepts and processes in the sub-discipline of cyber intelligence.

CYB 615 Cyber CounterintelligenceCredit Hours: 3

Develop a broad understanding of the concepts and processes of counterintelligence in cyberspace. Explore topics including counterintelligence missions, defensive and offensive counterintelligence, and counterespionage.

CYB 671 Open Source Cyber SurveillanceCredit Hours: 3

Learn about open-source cyber surveillance including the responsible, legal, and ethical use of data and information gathered from the use of unmanned, semi-autonomous systems, Web data mining, social networks, and other modern cyber systems.

CYB 674 Cyber Data FusionCredit Hours: 3

Explore data collection, fusion, integration, and analysis problems selected from the following advanced surveillance technologies: acoustic, electromagnetic, sensors, special (magnetic, cryptologic, computer), and human networks.

Business Analytics Specialization Total Hours:

ECN 610 Managerial EconomicsCredit Hours: 3

Explore economic forces and how they relate to a firm's profitability and growth, as well as economic thinking. You'll take a close look at principles of microeconomics and how they apply to managerial decision-making.

FIN 601 Advanced Financial ManagementCredit Hours: 3

Explore corporate financial analysis, working capital management, and capital budgeting issues while learning to use financial models and tools that inform leaders about the long-term viability of a business and to discover financial fraud.

MGT 610 Core Topics in ManagementCredit Hours: 3

Investigate the various functions and ethical impacts of management within an organization. You'll examine strategy, research and development, marketing, operations, and the supply chain.

BUS 621 Financial Fluency ICredit Hours: 1.5

Part I of a course that helps prospective leaders understand how to apply accounting and finance concepts. You'll also explore how to interpret and apply financial data to inform decision-making.

This course is the companion to BUS 622.

View Course Abstract

BUS 622 Financial Fluency IICredit Hours: 1.5

Gain an in-depth understanding of how to apply accounting and finance concepts. Learn how the interpretation and application of financial data can affect decision-making. Part II of a course for prospective leaders.

Prerequisite: BUS 621

View Course Abstract

Financial Crime Specialization Total Hours:

FCM 601 Financial Crime and Compliance ManagementCredit Hours: 3

Study the foundations of financial crime and compliance management. Focus on thematic areas: Management, economic crime, technology, analytics, and research skills.

FCM 626 Financial InvestigationsCredit Hours: 3

You'll study financial crime in the context of business operations, methods of detection, and methods of investigation including the analysis of financial documents, investigative process and techniques, and preparation of investigative case reports.

FCM 642 Advanced Fraud AnalysisCredit Hours: 3

Explore innovative analytic approaches used to perform complex fraud analysis. You'll examine link analysis, data mining, advanced statistical tools, case management systems, and expert system approaches such as neural network early-warning software.

BUS 631 Data-Driven Decision-Making ICredit Hours: 1.5

In Part I of this course, learn how to shape executive decision-making by ensuring the data used to inform decisions is correct.

This is the prerequisite course to BUS 632.

View Course Abstract

BUS 632-Data-Driven Decision-Making IICredit Hours: 1.5

In part II of this course, learn how to shape executive decision-making by ensuring the data you use to inform your decisions is correct.

Prerequisite: BUS 631

View Course Abstract

 
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