Data Science Methodology Program

The digital revolution brings an explosion of data with significant value for businesses, science, and society. As data becomes larger and more complex, extracting useful quantitative insights becomes more challenging.

The BSE Master’s Program in Data Science Methodology aims to train future leaders in the field with a deeper understanding of the underlying methods, along with the ability to develop techniques for new and/or non-standard problems.

The Master’s prepares graduates to design and build data-driven systems in the private, public and research sectors. The curriculum guides students from modeling and theory to computational practice and cutting edge tools, teaching skills that are in growing global demand.

Data Science Methodology students will gain a solid knowledge of Statistics, Machine Learning theory and methods such as Reinforcement Learning and Deep Learning, Optimization and Computing. The program also prepares students to critically assess the validity and performance of existing methods, and to address potential limitations by developing new ones.This is designed to provide students with a key competitive advantage relative to the semi-automated application of data analysis methods. Students will learn how to apply classroom examples using real data and answering concrete questions from the perspectives of different sectors. Through an independent master’s project or an industrial practicum conducted with local businesses or research teams, students have the opportunity to solve actual analytics problems hands-on.

Study with leading researchers and practitioners

A distinguishing factor of the program is the faculty team, with a strong international research and applied reputation spanning multiple fields: Statistics, Operations Research, and Artificial Intelligence. Our professors routinely publish in top research journals in these disciplines and received prestigious awards and research funding from agencies and the industry. These include the main funding agencies in Spain, the European Research Council, the USA, and the UK, leading technological companies such as Google and Accenture, and banks such as BBVA and CaixaBank. The program also invites guest speakers and entrepreneurs working at the frontiers of Data Science Methods and applications.

The new program director,  David Rossell (UPF and BSE), is a leading researcher in statistical methodology who has been involved in a number of highly cited applied projects ranging from Biomedicine, Economics to Biochemistry. He held research appointments in Spain, the USA and the UK, and has led teams of applied data scientists at several institutions.

Is “Data Science Methodology” the right program for you?

We welcome students from different disciplines. The ideal candidates have graduated in programs with a solid mathematical basis, e.g. statistics, economics, mathematics, computer science, physics, or engineering. However, we also welcome candidates from other disciplines having excellent academic records, who wish to develop their data analysis abilities.

Our distinguishing feature is a focus on going beyond the application of data science methods (which is also an important component of the program), to actually provide students with a deeper understanding of their inner workings. The goal is that students learn the skills necessary to develop their own solutions for new problems, as is necessary in a constantly developing work and research environment. The program includes brushup courses in Statistics, Linear Algebra and Programming, to ensure all students have a sufficient technical background.

PhD studies and BSE Data Science Center Scholarships

For students interested in furthering their theoretical and/or methodological studies, the Master’s in Data Science Methodology presents an opportunity to continue on with PhD studies in Data Science in a dynamic, active research environment at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (program organized jointly with BSE).

Students who are interested in pursuing a PhD in Data Science should specify that in the statement of purpose they submit when applying to the BSE Master’s program. The selected students will receive tuition waivers for their Master’s studies and further funding support upon enrolling in the PhD program after completing the Master’s. 

Opportunities may also arise where partial Data Science scholarships are available to students who engage in research activities related to Data Science theory or methodology, while pursuing their Master’s studies at BSE. Such opportunities typically arise through a collaboration with one of our Data Science faculty.