Master of Data Science
Applicants must have completed the equivalent of the following fundamental undergraduate coursework to begin the Master of Data Science degree program:
Computer Science
Knowledge of any high-level programming language, such as C or Python, as well as object-oriented programming, can be substituted for knowledge of C++ or Java.
Mathematics
- MATH 151 Calculus I
- MATH 152 Calculus II
- MATH 251 Calculus III
- MATH 332 Elementary Linear Algebra
- MATH 474 Probability and Statistics
Making Up Prerequisites
Students with omissions in the required fundamental coursework may be admitted under the condition that they fulfill any omissions by taking the above courses at Illinois Tech, or transfer equivalent courses from another institution. Such courses taken to fulfill coursework omissions must be passed with a grade of B or better.
The CS 201/401 Placement Exam is used to determine whether or not CS 201 must be taken before taking CS 401. Students who feel that their industry experience or previous studies are equivalent to CS 401 must take and pass a CS 401 Proficiency Exam during their first semester at Illinois Tech.
Students who take courses to fulfill omissions at Illinois Tech must complete the courses in the same number of semesters or fewer: A one-course requirement must be finished in one semester, a two-course requirement must be finished in two semesters, and so on. Students who do not comply are removed from the graduate program.
Calculus and Linear Algebra Prerequisites
Because of the time required to make up the calculus and linear algebra requirements, new students missing these prerequisites must make them up before beginning their studies in the Master of Data Science program. Such students will be admitted upon demonstration to the program that these prerequisites have been satisfactorily covered. The specific topics required are:
Calculus:
- Analytic geometry
- Functions and their graphs
- Limits and continuity
- Derivatives of algebraic, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions
- Anti-derivatives, definite and indefinite integrals, Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
- Integration techniques
- Indeterminate forms and improper integrals
- Analytic geometry in three-dimensional space
- Partial derivatives
- Multiple integrals
- Vector analysis
Linear Algebra:
- Systems of linear equations
- Matrix algebra
- Inverses and determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization
- Vector spaces, basis, dimension, rank and nullity
- Inner product spaces, orthonormal bases
- Quadratic forms
This material can be completed through college coursework elsewhere or through online coursework. Those doing so via online coursework will need to pass a proficiency exam upon starting studies at Illinois Tech. Therefore, there is no grade requirement for them.
For reference, the following online courses collectively cover the required materials as of May 2019:
Single Variable Calculus:
Multiple Variable Calculus:
Linear Algebra:
or