Data Science and Applied Artificial Intelligence MS
Data science and AI are advancing virtually every aspect of our world. Data science degree programs at UW-Milwaukee prepare graduates to drive new data-centric advancements with the potential to improve daily life for everyone. Our master’s in Data Science and Applied Artificial Intelligence paves the way to the future you’re dreaming about.
A master’s in Data Science and Applied Artificial Intelligence from UW-Milwaukee opens doors to amazing jobs just waiting to be filled. Data science and AI jobs are projected to grow by 35% (much faster than the average for all occupations) by 2032.1 And nationwide, close to a quarter of U.S. job postings require data science and AI skills.2 Additionally, recent research reveals that 30% of employers seek data scientists with a master’s degree.3 With a master’s in Data Science and Applied Artificial Intelligence from UW-Milwaukee, you may just find yourself with a choice of dream jobs.
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
2Burning Glass Institute and ExcelinEd 2024
3“The Data Scientist Job Market in 2024 [Research on 1,000 Job Postings],” 365datascience.com/career-advice/data-scientist-job-market/, Aug. 6, 2024.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
On Campus, Online
Master’s in Data Science and Applied Artificial Intelligence at UW-Milwaukee
A unique degree built on your needs, preferences and chosen field
- Start the program with ANY academic background, take courses in a wide variety of disciplines/fields (business, computer science, engineering, etc.), pursue graduate-level data science and AI courses and choose your own path to success.
- Enroll in the data science and applied artificial intelligence master’s with a bachelor’s in the field you’re passionate about and become a data scientist in that field.
- Complete the program with dual credentials that set you apart from your peers and help enhance your professional and personal achievements.
If you’re currently a working professional, you can enroll in UWM’s data science and applied artificial intelligence master’s program to stack additional credentials and help advance your career.
In the Data Science master’s program at UW-Milwaukee, you’ll learn skills and insights to help you land an in-demand, data-centric role in your chosen field.
Explore current program requirements and courses, access the official program application and discover more great reasons to choose a data science master’s and UWM in our academic catalog.
Core areas of study
- Developing insights from data, for applications
- Organizing and maintaining large data sets
- Learning methods like AI and machine learning to extract insight from data
- Building knowledge and skills for using probabilistic methods to analyze uncertainty in data and develop insights
- Using advanced programming for data collection and data science
- Understanding the importance of, and skills for, the ethical use of data
Student Learning Outcomes and Program Objectives
The core objective of the M.S. in Data Science is to prepare students to pursue a data science oriented career path in the discipline that they are passionate about. The program is designed to allow students to progress through the areas mentioned above. Graduates of the M.S. in Data Science will be prepared to apply the concepts of data science inter-disciplinarily to problems in a variety of fields and industries and appreciate and abide by ethical uses of data and insights from the use of data science. Students will:
- Develop insights from data, for applications,
- Learn how to work with large data sets,
- Gain experience in advanced computer programming for data science
- Become skilled in specific areas of data science such as artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Understand how to deal with uncertainty which is an inherent characteristic of data science and
Recognize and internalize the importance of ethical use of data and data science.
Program Requirements and Curriculum
Explore the MS in Data Science and Applied Artificial Intelligence at UW-Milwaukee, an interdisciplinary program that prepares you to analyze complex data, apply artificial intelligence and machine learning, and develop data-driven solutions across a variety of fields. Review admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, degree requirements and curriculum details in the UWM Graduate Catalog to plan your path toward a degree.
Optional: Internship / Thesis / Capstone
Of the required 12 elective credits, up to three credits may be awarded for a thesis or internship. Students who choose this option must complete a relevant thesis or internship that is approved by the program director. Students who choose to complete a thesis must work with a thesis advisor and have the thesis approved by the advisor and the program director. Students who choose to pursue an internship must also obtain approval from the program director. Students may select from courses such as those listed below or enroll for thesis/internship credits with their thesis advisor (in the advisor’s department).
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| INFOST 790 | Project Design, Implementation, and Evaluation |
| GEOG 798 | GIS/Cartography Internship |
| URBPLAN 793 | Applied Projects in Urban Geographic Information Systems |
| URBPLAN 991 | Legislative/Administrative Agency Internship |
| MATH 790 | Master’s Thesis |
| COMPSCI 990 | Master’s Thesis |
| COMPSCI 995 | Master’s Capstone Project |
Qualifying Exam
Students who do not choose to pursue the optional capstone course/thesis/internship option are required to pass a qualifying exam. During this exam, students are given a data set and a research problem to be addressed with the data, using data science techniques. Students must submit a final report in which they use the provided data set to address the research question and demonstrate that they have developed a sufficient level of expertise to work as a data scientist. This is a take-home exam and students will have seven days to complete it.
The program requires completion of 30 credits. A full-time student would typically complete the requirements in two years or four semesters. A part-time student enrolling in one course per semester would require 10 semesters to complete the program.
Partnership with the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute
UW-Milwaukee is a founding partner of the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute (NMDSI), a $75 million initiative created to develop degree programs that graduate professionals skilled in data science and AI.
This unique partnership means that as a UWM Data Science master’s program student, you’ll:
- Benefit from NMDSI mentoring opportunities, research support and student funding opportunities to enhance your academic and professional achievements.
- Collaborate with expert faculty leaders in programs/fields including computer science, statistics, marketing, health, public health and education.
- Work directly with employers to solve real-world problems via data science and AI.