Master in Data Science

The Master in Data Science aims to train specialists in analyzing, interpreting and developing scalable and efficient software based on mathematical and statistical models. In this sense, they will be professionals with robust multidisciplinary knowledge to extract information from data (structured and unstructured), assisting companies in decision making contributing to their competitiveness in the market. These Data Science specialists will have essential skills and competencies to contribute to the development of organizations. They will know how to respond to business needs using technology and rigorous knowledge of specific methodologies and tools. They will be professionals with profiles of both engineers and scientists. There will be a balance between researching and detecting valuable content in data with the reproduction of results through the production of quality code. They will be data scientists with innovation, creativity and interpersonal communication skills.

Publication in Diário da República, 2nd series – N.º 239 – 12 December 2019 – Announcement n.º 202/2019

We live in an era of a massive data explosion and increasing computational capacity with enormous challenges and global competition between businesses. Data Science encompasses the right mechanisms to extract crucial knowledge and give some fundamental understanding of a large amount of data. Analytical actions, personalised approaches, detection of relevant patterns, robust trend generation, automation of knowledge creation, and structural organisation help to improve critical business strategies.
Considering this issue, McKinsey Global Institute has predicted a gap in offer versus searching data scientists. These professionals have specific skills devoted to discovering relevant knowledge using a large amount of data.
University Portucalense (UPT) offers a new cycle of studies with an interdisciplinary program. This program aims to contribute to society and organisational development. It is intrinsically interlinked with economic development, enhancing employability in the computer science area. Data Science is widely recognised as contributing to sustained growth in the 21st century.
This MSc in Data Science comprises highly qualified teaching staff (academic and business professionals). These people’s expertise covers the areas of intervention in this cycle of studies, aiming to strengthen higher education and research capacities. The proposed cycle offers an innovative curriculum with transversal competencies, privileges group work using the SCRUM methodology, and training opportunities at the national level in companies and with researchers.

The Data Science Graduate aims to create experts in:

1. knowing how to extract, process and explore data and;
2. create descriptive and predictive models by applying statistical methods or using emerging techniques of Deep Learning and Machine Learning.

Data Scientists are highly sought after and valued in the national and international markets, and with this course, students will acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to pursue this career. Some examples include healthcare, public administration, e-commerce and marketing, finance, energy, telecommunications, media, and media.

• Select and use technologies and programming language appropriate for data analysis;
• To organize and use large, structured and unstructured data volumes efficiently and securely;
• To design algorithms to improve the analysis and visualization of data;
• To identify, use and implement statistical techniques, automatic learning, deep learning and image and text analysis;
• To design and implement explanatory models of the problem under analysis;
• To understand what types of problems can be solved with data science (DS);
• To structure hypotheses, identify metrics and analyze errors;
• To communicate conclusions and reasoning clearly;
• To issue judgments in situations of limited or incomplete information, in the DS theme;
• Experiencing research in the field of DS;
• To work collaboratively recognizing group interests;
• To apply research methods autonomously (dissertation);
• To use project management methods autonomously (project or internship).

This diploma leads to the Master’s degree in Data Science (120 ECTS) or, with the completion of the 1st year, the Specialization in Data Science (60 ECTS).