Dual Degree MSDS and Ph.D.

​Master of Science with a major in Data Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mathematics/ Master of Science with a major in Data Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics​

The vibrant field of data science is rapidly growing with increasing demand for well-trained, knowledgeable graduates. Our interdisciplinary Master of Data Science (MSDS) program provides a solid background in math, statistics and computer science. In addition, the Ph.D. in math/applied math is a research degree involving the extended study of a chosen topic in mathematics or applied mathematics. A key requirement is the writing and defense of a dissertation. The dissertation uses and is enhanced by knowledge gained from the MSDS coursework. The admission requirements are the union of those of the Ph.D. and the MSDS. Students may choose to graduate with a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics or Mathematics.​

Contact information for the program: Pak-Wing Fok (pakwing@udel.edu​)​

A. MSDS Degree Requirements

A total of 33 credits is required for the degree as described in the program policy statement for that degree. The student may apply 18 credits of MATH courses (6 credits from the required list and 12 credits of electives) to both the MSDS and the PhD. Another 6 credits selected from the non‐MATH required courses of the MSDS may be used as electives for the PhD. This leaves 9 credits, including the ethics course requirement, that may only be used for the MSDS degree.

B. Ph.D. Degree Requirements

A total of 48 credits of coursework must be completed for the degree, as well as all of the requirements as outlined in the program policy statement for that degree. A total of 18 credits of MATH courses may be applied to the MSDS degree, and two more non‐MATH courses from the required course list of the MSDS may be applied to the Ph.D. degree as electives.

C. Non‐Thesis MSDS

Only the non‐thesis option for the MSDS may be used for this dual degree program​.

 The admission requirements are the union of those of the Ph.D. and the MSDS. This translates to the admissions requirements for the Ph.D. plus sufficient computer science coursework to have completed the equivalent of CISC 220 Data Structures. See the web pages of each of the individual degrees for more information.

The program admission process is as follows. The admissions committees review completed applications consisting of the online application, undergraduate/graduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and the written statement of professional goals and values as described below. A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 is preferred. Applications are evaluated based on a combination of a record of academic achievement, recommendations, and the applicant's statement of professional goals and values.

Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the candidate's academic and/or professional background and capabilities are required. Candidates must also submit a personal statement describing how their academic, professional, and personal background has prepared them to succeed in the MSDS+Ph.D. program and explaining how completing the MSDS+PhD will contribute to their professional goals. In addition, applicants must take the GRE General Test and one GRE Subject Test. It is not required that the GRE Subject Test be in mathematics.

International applicants must submit official proof of English proficiency such as TOEFL or IELTS scores. The successful applicant must meet one of the following criteria:

• Score at least 600 on the paper‐based TOEFL exam.
• Score at least 100 on the TOEFL iBT, with a minimum score of 20 in each section.
• Score at least 7.5 on the IELTS with a minimum score of 6.0 in each subsection.

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A Bachelor's degree from an accredited program is required for admission. A major in any of mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, or computer science with sufficient mathematics coursework is typically a good background for this program. Applicants for the MSDS+Ph.D. dual degree program must complete the background requirements prior to beginning the program (see the next section and section III.A.5 for more information).

Required background for the MSDS, beyond what is required for admission to the Ph.D. program, includes at least two semesters of computer programming (including data structures or CISC220 equivalent).

Additional desirable courses include:

• a first numerical analysis or methods course (MATH 353 or MATH 426 or equivalent),
• an algorithms course (CISC 320 or equivalent),
• a logic and programming course (CISC 304 or equivalent),
• and both probability and statistics courses (MATH 350 and MATH 450, or STAT 470 and STAT 471, or equivalent).

The applicant shall apply directly to the Ph.D. program in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics and specify that the application is for the MSDS+Ph.D. dual degree program. The Graduate Studies Committee of the DMS and the Executive Committee of the MSDS will review the applications jointly; the DMS will make the final admission decision. Upon matriculation, the MSDS program will work with the student and the DMS to find a course advisor for the MSDS degree who shall serve in that capacity until the student selects a Ph.D. dissertation advisor and the student and advisors agree that the MSDS advisor is no longer needed. It is expected that this will occur when the coursework is completed.

Any student enrolled in the math or applied math PhD program on 15 November 2021 may apply to change to the MSDS+Ph.D. dual degree program. After this date, students will not be allowed to transfer into this program subsequent to entering Ph.D. degree programs in mathematics or applied mathematics. Students in combined Bachelor's and MSDS 4+1 degree programs at the University of Delaware are not eligible for this dual degree program.​