The graduate certificate in machine learning is delivered online to provide access to working professionals and students located around the world. It is a credential that demonstrates that the recipient has focused expertise in data science.
Course instruction focuses first on fundamental data science skills such as data ingestion, wrangling, and engineering before moving on to the theoretical and applied study of statistical and machine learning models. Courses are taught in both R and Python and emphasize communication and storytelling to clients, technical audiences, and the C-suite.
All courses can be applied toward the Master of Science in data science (M.S.D.S.) degree. The website www.datascience.smu.edu has additional information.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the graduate certificate in data science must hold a bachelor’s degree in statistics, applied mathematics, computer science, engineering or other quantitative discipline. An application fee is required. Additional requirements are as follows:
- A basic understanding of a programming language (R, JAVA, C++, Python or similar programming language).
- Calculus I and II. Business calculus does not meet this requirement.
- A completed online application, with the following:
- One letter of recommendation.
- A statement of purpose.
- All official academic transcripts.
- An official GRE graduate school admission test score, which may be waived if a prospective student has five or more years of industry-related experience or has earned a master’s degree in a related field.
4. A satisfactory TOEFL English language proficiency test score (minimum 90) is required for an applicant whose native language is not English.
The graduate certificate in data science follows the M.S.D.S. Academic Calendar, which can be found here.
Certificate Requirements
Students entering the graduate certificate in data science must have either proficiency in Python or have taken the Bridge to R and Python course offered by the M.S.D.S program. The bridge course is free to those who have registered for the program and is designed to be completed in one week.