MS in Data Science adds 4+1 Options
RJ Braun
The University of Delaware Faculty Senate approved changes to the Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) at its last meeting of the academic year on Monday May 13, 2019. There were small changes to the MSDS program to update its documents and procedures. However, there were big additions in the form of combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees which are referred to as 4+1 BS/MS options. We are excited about these 4+1 options and we think they will really benefit UD students. They will give excellent skill for both employability and solving relevant problems in today’s world.
Specifically, the MSDS is now offered in combination with the Bachelor degree options from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Each department has multiple majors at the undergraduate level, and these can be combined to shorten the time to obtain both degrees. The 4+1 options allows the student to use 6 graduate credits toward both the undergraduate and degrees, which reduces the number of total credits needed for both degrees. The student must apply to the 4+1 BS/MS option in the junior year, and upon acceptance can plan to finish both degrees to finish both in five years total. This combined degree option is only open to UD undergraduates.
The Department of Computer and Information Sciences offers the BA and BS in Computer Science and a BS in Information Sciences, and all have Honors options. Any of those options can be combined with the MSDS in a 4+1 option.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers the Bachelors in Computer Engineering and in Electrical Engineering; both have Honors options. Any of those options can be combined with the MSDS in a 4+1 option.
The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers sixteen majors when the Honors options are included (all majors have them). The majors include: BA and BS degrees in Mathematics or Mathematics Education; and the BS in Actuarial Sciences, in Applied Mathematics, in Mathematics and Economics, or in Quantitative Biology. All can be combined with the MSDS as a 4+1 option.
The details of the new options can be found in the Program Policy Statement for the 2019-20 academic year or the curriculum section, both of which can be found on the MSDS website.
We hope to add a number of other undergraduate majors as 4+1 BS/MS options in the coming year.
