PROGRAMME SYLLABUS

Data Science - Master's Programme

120 credits

Programme code: DSCMA

Version number: 10.0
Valid from: Autumn semester 2024
Ratified by: Curriculum Committee for Informatics
Date of approval: 2022-08-15

1. General about the study programme

The study programme is provided by the University of Skövde and is named Data Science - Master's
Programme (Data Science - masterprogram). It comprises 120 credits (credits). The programme is at
second cycle and the main field of study is informatics.

2. Entry requirements
A Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen of 180 credits, and skills equivalent to 7,5
credits in Programming and 7,5 credits in Mathematics or Statistics.
A further requirement is proof of skills in English equivalent of studies at upper secondary level in
Sweden, known as English course 6. This is normally demonstrated by means of an internationally
recognized test, e g IELTS, TOEFL or the equivalent.
The above entry requirements apply for admission to the study programme. For further studies within
the programme, the entry requirements for each course must be complied. These entry requirements are
specified in each separate course syllabus.
3. Study programme content
The study programme provides wide and deep knowledge and understanding of the area of education,
with considerable in depth knowledge within the computer science specialisation of informatics. The
main focus of the study programme is data science, which can be described as the science concerned
with the development and use of information systems for extracting knowledge from big data. The
programme, which contains a large amount of practical assignments, provides a holistic perspective on
data science. This entails the study of different theories, methods and techniques that aim at using all
relevant, most often, complex and heterogeneous, data for the purpose of supporting and providing
insight to a decision maker. The main contents of the programme are within artificial intelligence (AI),
data mining, programming, visual data analysis, business intelligence, and decision support for big data
(large quantities of complex data).
The study programme has a main theme that focuses on basic and wide understanding of informatics,
the main area of education, and on central areas of data science, e.g., programming and AI. This
fundamental knowledge is deepened and applied through different methods for visual data analysis and
data mining and in an individual project in which the students can solve a chosen problem within data
science. Application and synthesis of analysis methods and theories within decision making and analysis
of complex data structures, in particular within the area of business intelligence, constitute a third
theme. The study programme ends with a master degree project where the student is trained in
identifying and approaching a problem within data science from a scientific perspective. The student has
the possibility to extend and elaborate upon a problem encountered in the previous courses or,
alternatively, formulate a new problem based on what has been learned throughout the programme.
The study programme comprises the following courses
Artificial Intelligence A1N, 7.5 credits
Data Mining A1N, 7.5 credits
Introduction to Data Science A1N, 15 hp
Visual Data Analysis A1N, 7.5 credits
Big Data Programming A1F, 7.5 credits
Business Intelligence A1F, 7.5 credits
Data Science Project A1F, 15 credits
Explainable AI A1F, 7,5 hp
Information Fusion A1F, 7.5 credits
Predictive Analytics A1F, 7,5 hp
Master Degree Project in Informatics with Specialization in Data Science A2E, 30 credits
4. General objectives
Objectives for education at second cycle in The Higher Education
Act
Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge,
competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the
requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall:
further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge,
develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or
for research and development work.
5. Study programme objectives
The main area of education is informatics with a specialisation in data science (the science of designing
and utilizing information systems for the extraction of knowledge from large volumes of data (“big
data”)).
Objectives for Master’s Degree according to the Higher Education Ordinance
Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad
knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the
field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.
Competence and skills
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess
and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information,
demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as
well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined
time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this
 work,
demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report
and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in
dialogue with different audiences, and
demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or
autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall
demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant
disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of
research and development work,
demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the
responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility
for his or her ongoing learning
Local Objectives for the Study Programme according to theUniversity of Skövde
After completion of the study programme, the student should be able to show:
wide knowledge and understanding of fundamental theories, methods and techniques within data
science, and various tools for data science including how these tools are utilized in different
domains,
considerable in depth knowledge regarding current research and development within intelligent
data analysis,
considerable in depth knowledge regarding current research and development within
programming and system sciences for data science,
considerable in depth knowledge regarding recent research and development within decision
support for data science, and
insight into the possibilities and limitations of informatics with regard to digitalisation for
sustainable development.
6. Language of tuition
The teaching is conducted in English.
7. Degree
Those who complete the programme’s courses with a pass grade also comply with the requirements for
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Informatics.
Degrees are awarded after application. Information about how to submit an application can be found on
the University’s website.

8. Changes to programme syllabus

The programme syllabus and its courses may be changed, within the framework of the objectives for the
study programme.
9. Student influence
Student influence in the study programme is ensured by programme evaluation. The students are
informed about the result of the evaluation and potential measures that have been made or are planned,
based on the programme evaluation.
10. Other
Further information about the study programme, as well as national and local governing documents for
higher education, is available on the University’s website.