Data Science | Master

The interdisciplinary field of data science deals with methods for using data to automatically produce knowledge, insights, and models for prognosis, risk, and action. The master's degree program, which is taught in English, connects machine learning, statistical data analysis, natural scientific methods of data assimilation, and business analytics. The program offers broad and interdisciplinarily structured training in methods and is characterized by a strong emphasis on practice and research.

The interdisciplinarily structured master's degree in data science combines content from computer science, mathematics, information systems, and the natural sciences. Core courses provide you with an overarching understanding of machine learning and deep learning, statistical data analysis, data assimilation, business analytics, and big data infrastructures. More specialized courses help you engage with the current state of research for the areas of your choosing.

In seminars, you will work through complex topics, and in the module of applied data science, you will apply, in practice, the competences you have acquired. In the research module, you will be connected to a research project at the University of Potsdam or one of Potsdam's many research institutions. An industry internship is also possible as an option. Berlin/Potsdam's lively start-up scene and many big data companies offer ample opportunities for internships.

Data scientists are in equally strong demand in many areas of the economy and in research. Career paths exist in areas where large quantities of big data are created that can serve as the basis for decision-making, prognoses, and intelligent action. These include, for example, online commerce; search machines; the finance sector; the automobile, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries; meteorolgy; and climate research.

The master's degree offers you an accordingly large number of possible career paths. The degree prepares you for a career as a manager or highly qualified expert in a company, for founding a company of your own, or for completing a PhD and pursuing a research career in computer science, mathematics, or the natural sciences.

Applying for a master's degree generally requires you to hold an undergraduate degree, such as a bachelor's degree. A first degree in either computer science or mathematics qualifies you in any case for this master's degree. We strongly recommend that your prior studies included preliminary courses in probability and statistics. A degree in information systems or natural sciences qualifies you if your first degree strongly emphasized content from the areas of computer science or mathematics. Depending on your background, bridge modules can complete gaps in the other respective discipline. The program additionally requires proof of good English-language skills corresponding at least to the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

You can find the exact prerequisites for admission in the subject-specific Admission Regulations for the master's degree program in data science.

In the four-semester master's program, you earn a total of 120 credit points, consisting of the following modules and your master's thesis: for additional information, please consult the subject-specific Degree Regulations or the Departmental Advisory Office.

This description is based in part on information from the subject-specific regulations for a master’s degree in Data Science at the University of Potsdam dated December 17, 2018 (AmBek No. 03/2018, p. 138).