Data science is an exciting and rapidly evolving field that has the potential to make a significant impact on society. It is not correct to consider that the world has started doing data analysis and inference now only. Data interpretation and analysis are critical components of successful business in the 21^st century. Businesses that are able to effectively collect, interpret, and analyse data are better positioned to make informed decisions, improve operations, and gain a competitive advantage.

In today’s data-driven world, businesses collect vast amounts of varied data, which can be used to identify opportunities and optimise processes. However, data alone is not useful unless it can be interpreted and analysed effectively.  Data science is being used with proven benefits in a wide range of fields, beyond just business which include research, social sciences, environmental sciences, crime prevention, and more.

Data science has created a tremendous amount of employment opportunities in recent years. With the increasing amount of data being generated and collected by businesses and organizations, the demand for data scientists and other data-related professionals has grown rapidly. Data scientists, data analysts, data engineers, and machine learning engineers are some of the most in-demand roles in data science. In addition to these specialised roles, data science has also created opportunities for professionals in related fields, such as software engineering, statistics, and mathematics. These professionals can use their skills to work with data and apply machine learning algorithms to develop predictive models and other data-driven solutions.

Getting an MSc in Data Science can be a good use of your time and money for several reasons:

• Data scientists are in great demand because the area is expanding quickly and there is a need for experts who can analyse vast volumes of data and draw valuable conclusions from it. Your ability to operate in this industry will improve with an MSc in Data Science, and it will also increase your appeal to employers.
• An MSc in Data Science gives you a wide range of skills and knowledge that can be used in many different jobs and businesses.
• A master’s degree in data science can help you command a greater salary than someone without this degree because data scientists are highly paid professionals.
• The course will master you in doing data mining and analysis using Python, R, SQL, apply mathematical & statistical knowledge to interpret and find out hidden patterns, apply different algorithms to develop and test predictive model.
• Moreover, the course also trains you to work in an AGILE test-driven environment.
• If you get an MSc in Data Science, you might be able to work on cutting-edge research projects and be on the cutting edge of technological changes. Data science is at the forefront of innovation and technology.
• If you get an MSc in Data Science, you may have the chance to connect with other experts in the field, such as instructors, fellow students, and even potential employers. You can develop worthwhile relationships as a result, which can help you in your work.
• Data scientists don’t have as much experience as people in other IT-related fields because their field is still young.
• A growing number of industries are becoming data hungry to support specialised data scientists who can create goods for customers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2026, 11.5 million new jobs will have been generated.

A master’s degree in data science opens several avenues because it provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and techniques of data science. This knowledge, combined with hands-on experience in analysing real-world data sets, gives students a competitive edge in this field.

The use of AI in enterprises has experienced significant growth (tripled during the past two years) as per Gartner’s report which will create a significant amount of resource requirement. It is a fact that the world is currently facing a serious shortage of data scientists. As more and more organisations seek to leverage the power of data to make informed decisions, there is a growing demand for data scientists who can help collect, analyse, and interpret large and complex data sets.

There is a counterargument that argues why an M.Sc. in data science because there are many engineering specialisation and MBA Programs available. The MBA and engineering courses have a broader scope where students are taught many technologies, STEM subjects and management subjects, whereas the M.Sc. in data science degree is more specifically focused for the developing the experts to work in the field of data.

Data Scientists, let have some glimpse what a data scientist can work upon for example causal analytics  in particular business which are involving the risk analysis for example if you are an insurer you want to predict the life expectancy or if you gives the loan so what is the possibility of fraudulent in the paying or the take the examples of Health care you can analyse and predict the diseased which are based on the lifestyles. In the prescriptive analytics works in the fields of Economics and Health care for example you take the example of price of Fossil fuel price prediction. The economies are governed by the fossil fuel so they would like to know how these prices are going to move in future. In health care sector if someone is diabetic what are the chances of him to get the heart disease in these situations prescriptive analytics can be utilised. For trends identifications Machine learning algorithms are generally used in the financial sector.

If we look what are the element required for the development as data science is generally three subjects’ knowledge are required. Mathematics, Statistics, Computer science. When we say Mathematics, it is not that for working as data scientist you should be knowing all the branches of the mathematics but some of the domain of the Mathematics like Linear algebra, Calculus, optimisation technique is required to be understood. In statistics are descriptive statistics, statistical inference, sampling is required whereas in computer science we need at least one programming language needs to be understood and developed to start working on the projects of data science.

In the last M.Sc. data science is giving a new and dedicated field to its participants to work in the area of Data which has prospects like other professions of doctors, engineers or lawyers.

Dr. Vivek Mishra
Associate Professor
Alliance School of Applied Mathematics