Masters Degree (MS) in Data Science and Analytics in Canada
Best Universities in Canada for Data Science & Analytics Courses
Data is probably the most omnipresent virtual quantity, of the 21st century, with astronomically high quantity of data being generated, every minute, almost as a score card of all the events, and non-events occurring around.
But this data is useless unless its vast resource can be tapped for further use. That is easier said than even attempted. When it comes to large quantities of data, traditional database extraction tools provide very limited access to this formidable quantity of Big data.
To make the best of the seemingly untappable resource, a new field of data extraction, visualization, management and manipulation has come about – Data Analytics or Data Science (For the interested, here are some advanced insights on data science and related fields of Artificial Intelligence Vs Machine Learning Vs Data Science Vs Deep learning).
People who indulge in this data mining and analysis are called Data Scientists. And the 20,000 data scientists worldwide are adept in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Programming.
Most of them don’t have formal training in the field, and usually gel in as interdisciplinary geniuses who have some form of self, or on the job, training in data engineering, machine learning and statistics.
Over time, and with the foreseeable increase in Data Analysis experts in the future, Data Science is emerging as a formal degree. Though there might be the need to catch up to a more universal curriculum, of sorts, quite a few universities are coming up with MS or Professional Certificates in Data Science/Analytics.
Canada, being one of the top countries for higher education, has now begun their bid to get into the data race. In this article, we will list some of the known universities, across all the Canadian provinces, that offer a formal training in handling big data. The list is in no particular ranking order. It can be referred to as the first step towards looking for degree programs for the data chaser. For a more exhaustive picture, you would be well advised to take the research into the pages of individual universities that you might be interested in.
Free online courses
Before you sign up for an expensive, full-time masters program, check out these free online courses from top universities. They have the option of getting a (paid) certificate if you want to show it off on your resume.
Canadian Universities with graduate degrees in Data Analytics/Science
McGill offers many MS programs with courses focusing on data science skills. Here are some examples.
MS in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Information Studies, Mathematics and Statistics, Bioinformatics, etc.
Their courses align with topics like Database Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology Methods, Distributed Systems, Probabilistic Reasoning and AI, Applied Machine Learning, Data Mining, Optimization, Information Retrieval, and more.
Tuition: Upwards of $10,000 USD depending on the required credits for graduation.
Application Requirements: GRE/TOEFL
2) University of British Columbia
Master of Data Science (MDS)
Duration: 10 month accelerated learning
Courses listed here
Tuition: ~ $37,000
Application Requirement: TOEFL/IELTS. Any Undergraduate with a recommended Self Assessment
Professional Master’s Program in Big Data/ Computing Science MSc in Big Data
Courses listed here
Tuition: ~$34,000
Application Requirement: TOEFL/IELTS. Expected prior training in languages like Java, Python,C++
Specialization in Data Science by participating Masters Programs
Application Fee ~ $100
Tuition ranges from $12,000 to $18,000/year
Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MDSAI)
Duration: 16 to 20 months
Tuition: $4,000 per course for internationals
Master’s of Mathematics in Data Science
Duration: 4 to 6 terms
Tuition: $5,700 per term for internationals
M.Sc. In Computing & Data Analytics
Courses listed here
Application Requirements: TOEFL. Bachelors in Computing Science or equivalent. Minimum 70% on Computing Test administered by Saint Mary’s University. Complete a technical interview with the Program Director.
Tuition: ~$29,000
M.Sc in Data Science and Analytics
Duration: 1 year Full Time and 2 year Part Time
Courses listed here
Application Requirements: TOEFL. Bachelors in engineering, science, business and economics. Prerequisite courses in Statistics, data structures and algorithms, databases and R software packages.
Tuition: ~$16,000 per year
8) University of Western Ontario
Master of Data Analytics
Duration: 1 year
Application Requirements: TOEFL. Background in Mathematics and Computer Science, introductory Statistics, calculus, linear algebra and computer programming
Tuition: ~$19,500
Master of Science in Information Systems
Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 years
Courses listed here
Tuition ~ $18,000
Other universities that offer courses in Data science / analytics
Here are a few more Universities that dabble in Data.
There might be many more programs, in other Universities, catering to the data demands of the current times. If you are interested, you will need to invest the requisite time to gather your intel. Given the trend, and the massive awareness for the need of data specialists, the inclusion of this new field is simply inevitable.
Good luck data mining!
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