What is data science? Data science is an eclectic discipline that draws from several other academic traditions. Data science relies on mathematics, statistics, and computer science. It is a practical, applied science, more in tune with engineering than physics, more in the style of business than economics. Most recently, driven by the pace of technology, data science has become identified with machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).

Trust in data and science. Data scientists affirm faith in the scientific method, providing real, meaningful solutions to challenging problems. Data scientists value rational decision-making guided by science, reliable and valid measures, relevant data, and trustworthy models.

Data science and public policy. Data scientists play an important role in society, ensuring rational discourse and well-informed public policy. Data scientists demand data integrity, data and research methods transparency, and data privacy to protect individual rights. Data science takes on added significance in volatile periods due to public health and climate threats, amidst ethnic, social, and political divides.

Keeping pace with technology. Courses in the MSDS program are updated each term to keep pace with information technology, including current developments in database systems, large language models, generative artificial intelligence, and software agents.

Extensive information about the MSDS program is available at Northwestern’s School of Professional Studies website, including faculty biographies.

Information sessions are designed for prospective graduate students. They cover the Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) program and associated certificate programs. See slides from a data science information session.

Northwestern’s MSDS program is multilingual, offering training in Python, R, Go, and structured query language (SQL), as described under Languages for Data Science. Interested in learning more about Go, check out the companion website Learning Go for Data Science.

Use the MENU at the top right to navigate this site.