FROM LEFT: Prof. Chris Monterola, Head, School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Jikyeong Kang, AIM President and Dean, Prof. Erika Legara, Academic Program Director, Master of Science in Data Science. CREDIT: AIM
The Asian Institute of Management officially launched the Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) program today, the first data science graduate degree program in the Philippines.
“Data science is the fastest-growing and most sought-after specialization worldwide, and we at AIM are proud to launch the Master of Science in Data Science program in the Philippines,” said President and Dean Jikyeong Kang.
“This is our most thought-through, most intelligent, and most appropriate response to prepare for the changes and challenges digitalization throws at us,” Kang said.
The 14-month-long MSDS program will include 10 core data science modules, at least four business management modules, two electives, and a capstone project that requires students to work with real-world problems.
The AIM MS in Data Science curriculum, crafted by experienced scientists and international practitioners, guarantees that students will be immersed in the different techniques and technologies used in the field of advanced analytics.
“Data science cuts across industries, and the MSDS program AIM offers is strongly tied to the Institute’s business and management modules,” said Professor Erika Legara, Academic Program Director for MSDS at AIM.
“Harvesting data is a data scientist’s core competency, but also equally important are the abilities to model, visualize, and turn data into actionable insights, and to pose the right questions that matter to the business,” Legara added.
At AIM, data scientists work closely with domain experts familiar with business and management issues. Students will, therefore, learn how to formulate the right questions and identify the correct datasets to address highly diverse business and research problems. More crucially, they will be taught how to properly communicate results and data-driven insights to maximize their impact on business and industry.
Classes for the pioneering MSDS batch begin March 2018.
Aside from the MSDS program, the Institute also launched the School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (SITE), which is positioned to be a catalyst for generating impact, powering innovation, and creating value in the Asian context.
Established in line with AIM’s vision to develop managers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who can deliver meaningful and sustainable growth for Asian business and society, SITE organizes under a single department three of the Institute’s programs: Master in Entrepreneurship, Master of Science in Innovation and Business, and Master of Science in Data Science.
“The programs under the School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship will help our students adapt to today’s ever-changing business landscape,” said Christopher Monterola, Head of SITE at AIM.
“SITE is where innovators, data scientists, and entrepreneurs become future-ready leaders. They will be comfortable with uncertainty, adept at handling multifaceted issues, and confident about executing decisions in a rapidly evolving environment,” Monterola said.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Data Science
To qualify for the MSDS roster, one must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general test, or the AIM Data Science qualifying exam. One must also possess either an undergraduate degree with minimum course requirements and/or work experience. Meanwhile, course requirements for new graduates are the following:
- Basic Calculus
- Linear Algebra
- At least one of the following:
- Computer Programming
- Probability and Statistics
- Econometrics
- Advanced Physics
- Advanced Mathematics
- Any subject that requires advanced quantitative and mathematical rigor
Those with work experience must have at least two years’ experience in any of the following:
- Technical work experience, preferably in data analysis and/or data engineering
- Work experience with SAS, Matlab / Octave, Python C/C++,R, BI tools, and / or other data science/analytics tools
