MDS Okanagan

Covering all stages of the data science value chain, UBC’s Okanagan campus Master of Data Science program prepares graduates to thrive in one of the world’s most in-demand fields. Over 10 months, you’ll learn how to extract and analyze data in all its forms, how to turn data into knowledge, and how to clearly communicate your recommendations to decision-makers. 

Program Benefits

Highlights Across All MDS Programs:

  • 10-month, full-time, accelerated program offers a short-term commitment for long-term gain
  • Condensed one-credit courses allow for in-depth focus on a limited set of topics at one time
  • Capstone project gives students an opportunity to apply their skills
  • Real-world data sets are integrated in all courses to provide practical experience across a range of domains

Highlights Specific To Okanagan Campus Option:

  • Curriculum is designed by computer science and statistics experts, emphasizing optimization and statistics with a focus on operations research
  • Courses are taught by renowned computer science and statistics faculty, giving students access to experts across a broad skill set
  • With a cohort limited to 60 students, this program offers a collaborative and intimate learning environment with focus on student success
  • The Okanagan campus offers students the opportunity to study at a top 40 university in a smaller setting, situated in a diverse region of natural beauty, and bordering the city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development
  • The Okanagan region hosts 2,000 tech start-ups, providing networking and employment opportunities
  • Fluency with both open source software and commercial software, including Tableau and Microsoft products (Excel, Azure, SQL Server).

Curriculum

The program structure includes 24 one-credit courses offered in four-week segments. Courses are lab-oriented and delivered in-person with some blended online content.

At the end of the six segments, an eight-week, six-credit capstone project is also included, allowing students to apply their newly acquired knowledge, while working alongside other students with real-life data sets.

Fall: September - December

Block 1 (4 weeks, 4 credits)

Block 2 (4 weeks, 4 credits)

Block 3 (4 weeks, 4 credits)

Winter: January - April

Block 4 (4 weeks, 4 credits)

Block 5 (4 weeks + 1 week break, 4 credits)

Block 6 (4 weeks, 4 credits)

Spring: May - June

Capstone Project (8-10 weeks, 6 credits)

Meet Mitchell

What attracted Mitchell to the Master of Data Science program at UBC Okanagan was the capstone project as it gave him experience in each stage of project creation. It allowed Mitchell to take what he learned in the classroom and apply it in the real world.