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MSc Data Science is an interdisciplinary degree program which revolves around the major disciplines of Calculus, Descriptive Statistics and C-Programming in order to understand different phenomena with respect to a big set of real world data.
Students who have completed their Bachelors degree in either Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or Engineering can pursue Data Science Courses 2 year research-based program. Admission is mostly done on the basis of merit obtained in the qualifying examination, followed by a written test and/or personal interview.
Data Science is considered to be one of the trendiest courses to pursue in 2023. Many students and professionals are shifting their interest in this domain because of the huge career scope and high demand for skillful and professional data scientists in India as well as Abroad.
There are a number of government and private colleges that offer this course. Check the following table to know the few of the best MSc Data Science Colleges in India:
| College Name | Location | Admission Process | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) | Vellore | Merit+ Counselling | INR 1,61,000 |
| Christ University | Bangalore | Merit+ Skill Assessment and Personal Interview | Under 2,84,000 |
| Annamalai University | Chidambaram | Merit | INR 27,495 |
| Manipal University | Manipal | MET 2023 | INR 3,00,000 |
| Fergusson College | Pune | Merit+ Written Round | INR 17,955 |
The average course fee to pursue this course is around INR 2 Lakhs. But in colleges such as Annamalai University and Fergusson College, the total fee is under INR 30,000.
Common MSc Data Science subjects are Python Programming, R Programming, Multivariate Analysis, Deep Learning, Cloud Computing, and much more. Check BSc Data Science Syllabus for full details.
After the course completion, you can become a Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Database Architect, etc. and easily earn around INR 4-8 LPA. After gaining the right skills and getting ample experience, you can earn more than INR 10 LPA. Check MSc Data Science Jobs & Career to know more.
Considered one of the top courses to pursue in 2023 worldwide, data science domain produces one of the highest paying jobs in the IT industry. Therefore, many students are interested to pursue this sought out course for their career development and to gain financial stability.
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MSc Data Science Admission Process
Admission to this interdisciplinary program is done on the basis of merit (marks obtained at Bachelor’s level).
Different colleges follow different admission process:
- Fergusson College, Christ University, etc. consider merit marks and take Skill Assessment through a Written Test, followed by a Personal Interview.
- Manipal University, GITAM University, etc. accept students through their university-level Common Entrance Tests such as MET, GSAT, etc.
- VIT, Vellore takes admission on the basis of merit marks, followed by Counselling and a Personal Interview.
Hence, the admission process is very college-specific and consider different assessments as their selection process.
MSc Data Science Eligibility
Common eligibility is atleast 50% aggregate marks from any recognized college/university in India or Abroad in one of the following Bachelor programs:
- Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)
- Any Bachelor program in Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics
Students in their final semester are also eligible to apply if they are pursuing any one of the above mentioned courses.
MSc Data Science Entrance Exams
Universities conduct a series of common entrance exams or tests to select students for their UG and PG courses. List of these entrance exams:
| Entrance Exams | Registration | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| CUET PG | April 2023 | June 1 – 10, 2023 |
| BITSAT | February 2023 | June 2023 |
| NEST | February 2023 | June 2023 |
| IIT JAM | September 07 – October 11, 2023 | February 12, 2023 |
| DUET | April 2023 | July 2023 |
| TISS NET | December 14 – January 15, 2023 | January 28 – February 28, 2023 |
How to prepare for MSc Data Science Entrance Exams?
- Time Table: It is always advisable to make a time table so that you figure out how much syllabus you have covered, and how much is left.
- Syllabus: Different colleges have different test syllabus, but the majority of them consist of Logical Reasoning, Communication Skills, Written Skills, Reading Aptitude, General Knowledge and/or Subject Knowledge. You should be aware of the syllabus so that you can prepare accordingly for the exam.
- Study Material: Find out the study material online, or through friends and colleges. Some colleges have given their syllabus given out on their official website.
- Sample Papers and Mock Tests: You should have sample papers with you for practice so that you know the type of questions you will get to face on the exam day. Give as many mock tests you can to get an edge over other students.
- Revision: Syllabus should be covered in such a way that you get time for revision also. Make notes while studying so that you can refer to them later during the revision time.
How to get admission in a good MSc Data Science College?
- It is important to know the course objectives, aim, and syllabus of the college in which you want to take admission in. Check BSc Data Science Syllabus to get the basic idea of what all is included in the syllabus.
- Make sure you apply to the college before their application deadline, as some colleges do not offer admission prior to that.
- Your UG degree marks are considered during admission, which means if you have scored well above the minimum criteria then your chances of getting admission is high as compared to other students. Hence, we advise you to score atleast 70-80% in your Bachelor degree.
- Prepare well for the Written Exam and Personal Interview round as this will decide the final outcome of your admission status.
- Make sure you have all the necessary documents like Aadhaar Card, Birth certificate, etc during the time of admission for a hassle-free process.
- Pay the admission fee on time to secure a place in that college.
MSc Data Science: What is it About?
Data Science:
- It is an interdisciplinary field that includes the domains of computer science, statistics, mathematics, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- MSc Data Science is one of the most favoured masters courses in data science specialization because it includes all the necessary topics and structure which leads to skills required to become a successful data scientist or have a career in data science domain.
Aim of the program:
- The main aim of this course is to provide an opportunity to master the skills specific to the data science field with a practical approach.
- Theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in relevant tools and technologies such as SAS Software, ApacheSpark, MATLAB, Tableau, Jupyter, TensorFlow, Python, Hadoop, etc. is provided in this program.
- Apart from theory subjects, the curriculum includes the learning of basic aspects of data science with the help of practicals, lab training, research models, industry exposure, research projects, seminars, internships, etc.
Program Outcome:
- The main course outcome is that students become skillful enough to apply skills, techniques and knowledge in the real world with respect to different sets of data for solving or enhancing different problems in the field of business, manufacturing, banking, genome analysis, business analytics and many other fields.
- Students will be able to develop abstract thinking and design ability to be able to identify and understand concepts related to data science theories and practice using fundamental principles of mathematics, statistics, computer science and other relevant domains.
- Students will be able to use different programming tools towards problem solving and to derive solutions for them for different domains based on global trends and needs. They will be able to use research-based knowledge for design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions.
MSc Data Science Course Highlights
| Full Form | Master of Science in Data Science |
| Course Level | Postgraduate |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Eligibility | Atleast 50% in Bachelor program in either Computer Science, Statistics or Mathematics |
| Admission Process | Merit + University Entrance Test or Written Assessment Round, followed by Personal Interview or Counselling |
| Course Fees | Around INR 2-4 Lakhs |
| Average Salary | INR 4-8 Lakhs Per Annum |
| Job Positions | Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, Data Architect, Database Administrator, Data Solutions Analyst, Business Analyst, Data Mining Engineer, etc. |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Tredence Inc., Wipro Ltd., Oracle, Cartesian Consulting, TEG Analysis, Deloitte, GlobalAnalytics, IBM, Amazon, MuSigma, etc. |
Why study MSc Data Science?
MSc Data Science is one of the most pursued master degrees in India because of the following reasons:
- Knowledge and Skills:
This course is made to acquire skills and knowledge with respect to different big data science techniques and tools to become efficient in programming, analyzing, machine learning, data visualization, data analyzation, etc. across different world sectors.
Apart from this, you will become good at analyzing the problem and making your way to predicting a relevant solution. You will also become proficient in handling large sets of data on your own.
- Huge Demand:
Data Science is making its way to become one of the highest paying jobs in the IT industry. After managerial roles, these types of jobs will become the most pursued courses in 2023. At this moment, there are more than 2 Lakhs job openings related to this field of study across India.
By estimation, it is said that there will an increase of at least 40-45% each year in job opportunities in this domain. After the United States, India is next into becoming the analytics hub of the world.
- Salary:
According to PayScale, the national average salary of a Data Scientist is around INR 8.1 LPA, and with time, it will go upto INR 20 LPA within 5-10 years of relevant experience.
The minimum percentage hike for professionals in the data science domain is at least 35-40% and it can go as high as 60-70% in well-reputed and international companies such as Amazon, Deloitte, Publicis Sapient, Cognizant, and others.
Course Comparison
There are many similar courses with respect to MSc Data Science like MSc Health Data Science, MSc Big Data Analytics, MSc Data Analytics, Master of Data Science, MSc Data Science and Spatial Analytics.
As you can figure out from the name, these courses are almost the same with a slight difference in either course subjects, specializations and choice of electives. There might be a difference in course outcomes as well, but career options and job opportunities remain almost the same.
Other than this, many students compare MSc Data Science with MSc Computer Science. In the table below we have given some major differences between the two in terms of course overview, program aim and course curriculum. Have a look:
| Parameters | MSc Data Science | MSc Computer Science |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization | Data Science | Computer Science |
| Course Overview | The main objective of this program is to enable students to learn different aspects and use of statistics, machine learning, programming, deep learning, artificial intelligence with respect to a big set of data in the real world. | The main objective of this program is to develop human resources with the core competencies in various fields of computer science like IT, hardware and software. |
| Course Aim | The aim of this course is to make students proficient in the applicability of different domains of data science to solve problems or to plan strategies for advancement and development. | The aim of this course is to make students proficient in different aspects of software engineering, system development, natural computation, mathematical foundations and artificial intelligence. |
| Major Subjects | Probability And Distribution Theory, Principles of Data Science, Database Technologies, Regression Analysis, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Machine Learning, Web Analytics, Deep Learning etc. | Neural Networks, Cloud Computing, Distributed Computing, Modelling and Simulation, Embedded Systems, Discrete Mathematics, Distributed Systems, Computer Systems Verification, etc. |
| Average Total Fees | INR 2-5 Lakhs | INR 1-3 Lakhs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 4-8 Lakhs | INR 3-6 Lakhs |
MSc Data Science Colleges
Following table shows some of the best MSc Data Science Colleges in India:
| Collegedunia Rating (out of 10) | College Name | Location | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.4 | Loyola College | Chennai | - |
| 8.6 | Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) | Vellore | INR 1.61 Lakhs |
| 8.4 | Fergusson College | Pune | INR 17,955 |
| 7.6 | Annamalai University | Chidambaram | INR 27,495 |
| 7.0 | Manipal University | Manipal | INR 3 Lakhs |
| 6.6 | GITAM University | Visakhapatnam | INR 2 Lakhs |
| 6.0 | Amity University | Gurgaon | INR 2.09 Lakhs |
| 5.9 | Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology | Gandhinagar | INR 7.3 Lakhs |
| 5.9 | Techno India University | Kolkata | - |
| 5.9 | University of Kalyani | Kalyani | INR 1.65 Lakhs |
| 5.4 | Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | INR 1.3 Lakhs |
| Know More: Best MSc Data Science Colleges in India | |||
In 2019, many data science courses were introduced in various universities and colleges of Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and other major cities of India.
The government is doing it’s best to promote various data science courses at UG level, PG level, certificate courses and diploma courses in different colleges and universities for a better future in the IT industry.
Check More:
MSc Data Science Distance Learning
Apart from the above mentioned colleges which offer this data science course through full-time mode, many students and working professionals prefer to pursue this course through online mode or through distance learning.
In India, BITS Pilani offers masters in data science course through distance learning. You can opt for many certification course and shorts programs in this domain to acquire the required data science skills. These courses are specially for working professionals and college professors. They are:
- ERP (External Registration Programme)/ QIP (Quality Improvement Programme) offered at IITs, IISc, University of Hyderabad, etc.
- Certification course offered at NPTEL
There are many platforms which offer various masters in data science and its related courses online. Some of them are mentioned below:
- Coursera
- UpGrad
- SimpliLearn
- Great Lakes
Courses in these platforms are either independent or affiliated with some national or international college or university. They offer globally acclaimed programs and you can choose the right program for you basis the duration, outcomes and skills to be learnt.
You can also pursue a data science course online directly from esteemed and reputed foreign universities of the US, UK, Australia, etc. by completing your application process on time.
Courses such as MSc Data Science, MSc Machine Learning, Masters in Data Analytics and other similar courses can be pursued in these colleges.
MSc Data Science Syllabus
The syllabus and course curriculum is inclusive of three main parts: Calculus, Descriptive Statistics and C Programming. Latest technologies like ML, DL, Python and Spark are taught thoroughly.
Following table shows the semester wise syllabus of MSc Data Science:
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Mathematics for Spatial Sciences | Spatial Big Data and Storage Analytics |
| Applied Statistics | Data Mining and Algorithms |
| Fundamentals of Data Science | Machine learning |
| Python Programming | Advanced Python Programming for Spatial Analytics |
| Introduction to Geospatial Technology | Image Analytics |
| Programming for Spatial Sciences | Spatial Data Base Management |
| Business Communication | Flexi-Credit Course |
| Cyber Security | |
| Integrated Disaster Management | |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Spatial Modeling | Industry Project |
| Summer Project | Research Work |
| Web Analytics | |
| Artificial Intelligence | |
| Flexi-Credit Course | |
| Predictive Analytics and Development |
Apart from these core courses, there are electives also which you will have to choose to complete your credits.
| MSc Data Science Electives | |
|---|---|
| Deep Learning | System Dynamics Simulation |
| IOT Spatial Analytics | Spatial User Interface Design and Implementation |
| Research Modelling and Implementation | Genomics |
| Exploratory Data Analysis | Multivariate Analysis |
| Stochastic Process | Programming for Data Science in R |
| Hadoop | Image and Video Analytics |
| Internet of Things | Identification and Data Collection |
MSc Data Science Jobs and Career
This course is perfect for students who want to make a career in the big data industry, computer science and IT industry.
As we all know that the latest trends and technologies nowadays all revolve around data science, therefore right now is the best time to pursue this course for a better future in the technology sector.
The common employment areas that hire Data Science postgrads are tech companies, consultancies, market research companies, and energy sectors. If you want to go into teaching or research, you can get employed in research institutes, colleges or universities as well.
There are four major types of Data Science Jobs:
- Data Analyst
- Data Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Data Science Generalist
Apart from these, you also have other options which we have discussed below with the job description and the average salary offered.
Have a look:
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Data Analyst | The main role of a Data Analyst is to translate data into plain English so that big and profitable decisions can be made in business, sales pitch, logistics, market research, manufacturing, etc. | INR 4.11 LPA |
| Data Engineer | A Data Engineer is responsible for various things like developing, constructing, testing and maintaining databases, large scale processing systems and much more. They also recommend and give ideas to improve data reliability and data quality. | INR 8.69 LPA |
| Data Architect | A Data Architect plays a very important role in a company by maintaining all the database and identify different structural and installation solutions. | INR 19.31 LPA |
| Machine Learning Engineer | An ML Engineer is responsible for understanding and transforming different prototypes of data science. They perform research, design and frame machine learning systems for efficiency and problem solving through model tests and experiments. | INR 9.58 LPA |
| Data Scientist | Data Scientists perform statistical analysis and make sense to the data important for company business or for some other analysis. | INR 7.07 LPA |
| Statistical Programmer | A Statistical Programmer develops and uses different analysis plans, validations plans and other related documents required to determine and research SAS software and related system maintenance issues. | INR 5.16 LPA |
| Data Developer | A Data Developer makes sure that the data is gathered before the development of any database. They create management methods and systems in the IT domain. | INR 6.19 LPA |
| Data Science Teacher | A Teacher or Professor of Data Science works in either college, university or institute to teach students different theory and practical subjects of data science and related fields. | As per industry standards |
| Data Mining Engineer | A Data Mining Engineer usually enhances and creates statistical and predictive models and algorithms to analyze large sets of data, and derive valuable information and insights from it. | INR 6.14 LPA |
| Database Administrator | Database Administrators used professional and specialized softwares for data storage and organization as per the need and to improve the quality. | INR 10.23 LPA |
Salary Trend Graph:
Similar Course: MSc Data Analytics
MSc Data Science Scope
Data Science is considered one of the trendiest courses in the world right now. Many students and working professionals are attracted to this course because it leads to the right skills and knowledge required to become a successful Data Analyst and Data Scientist.
This rapid boom in the data science field will not slow down anytime soon. The future and scope of data science will expand in the coming years because big data plays an important role in the day-to-day commerce and digital industry. This means that the need for skillful professionals to meet the challenges of data science, data analytics, and similar roles will not be going to stop.
To fulfill the demand of experts in this field, the government is planning to introduce this course in all the reputed and big colleges in India in major cities like Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, etc.
After the US, India is expected to become a specialized market for Data Science experts across the globe. According to Glassdoor, the National Average Salary for Data Scientist is around INR11,48,252 and International Average Salary is around USD 113,436, meaning you can easily find financial stability and career growth in this domain across the world.
Apart from earning, you get to interact and work with top IT Engineers and Data Scientists helping you to gain the required skills and knowledge. Other than this, you get to work on cutting edge technologies and exploiting it to solve different challenges and issues of the top companies.
Apart from diverse career options available and huge earning potential, below we have discussed what you can do after completing your MSc Data Science course.
Higher Education: To become an expert and to be eligible to teach in colleges and universities, you can go for a PhD course in a similar domain, or you can go for an MBA if you want to be in the managerial role.
MSc Data Science FAQs
Ques. What is MSc Data Science?
Ans. MSc Data Science is a 2 year master degree course in the field of data science, which includes different aspects of computer science, machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence, statistics and mathematics.
This is one of the highly pursued master degree courses of data science in India, and offered by universities such as Annamalai University, Fergusson College, VIT Vellore, Chandigarh University, etc. Check MSc Data Science to know everything about this course, from admission, eligibility, colleges, syllabus, jobs and future scope.
Ques. Which is better MCA or MSc in Data Science?
Ans. Master of Computer Applications or MCA is a master degree course which specialized mainly on different aspects of computer application subjects such as computational theory, mobile technologies, electronics, mathematics, probability, statistics, latest programming languages and tools, algorithm design and optimization, network and database management, etc.
MSc Data Science mainly focuses on different technologies and techniques involved and used with respect to big data analysis of real-world data.
Both these courses will lead to growing your career in the IT industry, but MCA will lead you to a more programming specific job, and MSc Data Science will lead you to become a Data Scientist and Data Analyst.
Ques. Which university is best for MSc Data Science in India?
Ans. Christ University, MAKAUT and University of Madras are considered a few of the top universities to consider pursuing MSc Data Science. Check MSc Data Science Colleges in India to know more.
Ques. Which country is best for data science?
Ans. developed nations like the US, Germany, Canada, Australia and UK. The course is offered part-time and full time as well there. In India, most of the courses are offered full time only in colleges like Christ University, Fergusson College, Annamalai University, etc.
Ques. How do I get a job in data analysis?
Ans. To get a job in the data analysis field, it is important that you have a background or you have studied subjects such as mathematics, statistics, computer science or computer programming. If you are not from any of these backgrounds, then you should do some self-study have basic knowledge of the subjects. After this, you can either enroll for some degree program in data science or there are several online platforms as well like Coursera, SimpliLearn, GreatLakes, UpGrad, etc. where you can learn modules and become an expert in the data science field.
You may not get a high paying job right after these courses, as a successful career in data science is all about experience and the right skills, which you can gain through paid internships or training. After that, you may get a high paying job in the computer science or IT industry.
Ques, Is Data Scientist a good career?
Ans. Yes, data Scientist is considered to be a good career option if you are looking to take up some challenges and learn the different aspects of data science in the analysis world. The National Average Salary for Data Scientist is around INR11,48,252 and International Average Salary is around USD 113,436 according to Glassdoor, which means you can easily satisfy your need for career growth and stability as a data scientist.
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