The Course

About MDS

The Masters in Data Science is organized in 4 semesters and provides an interdisciplinary education in various aspects of Data Science with a strong background in Computer Science and Statistics.

In the first semester, the program includes three levelling courses that allow students with a background in Statistics to obtain complementary knowledge of Computer Science, and vice-versa.

The remaining courses of the 1st semester are elective for all students. The rest of the program has a common structure. It includes 4 compulsory courses  (3 during the 2nd semester and 1 on the 3rd), that provide fundamental skills in Computer Science, Statistics and Management. In the 2nd semester, there are two further elective courses and another one during the 3rd semester (second year). The thesis dissertation makes the rest of year 2.

The goal of this Masters degree is to foster in students in a highly interdisciplinary spirit, along with the ability and skills to work and learn autonomously in the crossing areas of Computer Science and Statistics, usually applied to Big Data.

Students that complete the first year of the program will be awarded the title of Specialist in Data Science (which is not a formal degree).

Please consult the Faculty Information System.

Objectives

The main objective of the Masters is to train highly qualified professionals in Data Science, particularly in the analysis of large volumes of data. The course was designed to provide solid knowledge in the areas of statistical analysis and computer science. Data Science lies in the crossing of these two domains of knowledge that must be mastered by Data Science experts. It is this virtuous combination of skills in these two areas that distinguishes this cycle of studies from other the existing offers that tends to be focused mainly on one of the areas in question. In addition to solid theoretical knowledge on these subjects, the masters conveys practical and applied knowledge in Data Science, through lab classes, practical assignments and projects in collaboration with companies that have real problems that require Data Science methods.

 Up-to-date knowledge of the main principles and methodologies of the scientific area ofData Science.

 The ability to recognize opportunities of applying Data Science in multiple areas of human activity.

 The ability to integrate knowledge, deal with complex issues, develop solutions or make judgments in situations of limited or incomplete information, including reflections on the implications and ethical and social responsibilities.

 Ease at communicating results and the knowledge and reasoning underlying such findings, to both experts and non-experts, in a clear and correct manner.

 Skills that enable independent lifelong learning.

Outcomes

Core skills to be acquired by the students:

  • Up-to-date knowledge of the main principles and methodologies of the scientific area of Data Science;
  • The ability to recognize opportunities of applying Data Science in multiple areas of human activity;
  • The ability to integrate knowledge, deal with complex issues, develop solutions or make judgments in situations of limited or incomplete information, including reflections on the implications and ethical and social responsibilities that result from such solutions and judgments or condition them;
  • Ease at communicating results and the knowledge and reasoning underlying such findings, to  both experts and non-experts, in a clear and correct manner;
  • skills that enable independent lifelong learning.

 Mission

Numerous market studies have alerted to the growing need for professionals capable of analyzing the volume of data that our society has been producing exponentially. Several technological advances have contributed to this growth in the volume of available data. The reduction of the cost of sensors, the advance of the "computerization" of the great majority of human activities, the phenomenon known as Internet of Things (IoT), among other factors, are at the origin of this growth. Increasingly, the vast majority of human activities are in some way recorded in computer media.

This huge amount of data "hides" useful information about organizations and their activities. Being able to discover this information from these numerous datasets is therefore a competitive advantage that most organizations have already identified as the key to success. For this to be possible, taking into account the volume of data, it becomes vital to have  computational tools as well as professionals who are able to develop and use them efficiently. The MSc in Data Science aims to train this type of professionals and thus help fill the recognized gaps at this level in the labor force currently available in the market, as alerted by various studies and business entities.

 The University of Porto

The University of Porto is an institution with a national impact in almost all areas of knowledge, with the Faculty of Sciences playing a major role in the different areas of the Exact and Natural Sciences. The University and its Faculty of Sciences have as a fundamental aspect of their educational, scientific and cultural mission the promotion of communication and interaction between teachers, students and researchers from different cultures and fields of knowledge. This close interaction promotes the sharing of distinct professional experiences and creates a multicultural and multidisciplinary atmosphere that favors scientific research and high quality training. FCUP has been enhancing the quality of research and teaching, the growth of technology transfer, improved relations with the outside community and the way these different aspects are reflected in its international competitiveness. The Master in Data Science will contribute to all these dimensions of the University of Porto's mission.