MA Statistics

Program Overview

The MA Statistics is a 16-month, full-time program that trains students to become data scientists. It provides a comprehensive education in statistics and machine learning, and includes modules on official statistics and a research module involving an internship. Graduates are highly sought after in various industries, including pharmaceutical companies, banking and finance, government departments, risk management, and the IT sector.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA Statistics is a 16-month, full-time program designed to train the next generation of data scientists. It provides a comprehensive education in statistics and machine learning, equipping students with the skills necessary for a successful career in data science. The program is equivalent to the MSc Statistical Data Science, but it is longer and includes several fundamental statistics modules in its core structure. These modules cover the basics of statistics and data science, preparing students for more advanced modules. This makes the MA Statistics ideal for students interested in pursuing a career in official statistics, both in Ireland and abroad. The MA Statistics is also suitable for students seeking data science careers in industry, business, government, and those interested in pursuing a subsequent PhD in statistics or other data science-related fields.

Outline:

The MA Statistics program consists of 120 credits spread over four semesters. Students must take all Core modules in addition to the dissertation to complete the program.

Core Modules:

• Fundamentals of Statistics: This module covers the fundamentals of statistics, including probability, statistical inference, and data analysis.
• Statistical Modelling: This module introduces students to statistical modeling techniques, including linear regression, logistic regression, and generalized linear models.
• Data Mining and Machine Learning: This module explores data mining and machine learning techniques, including classification, clustering, and prediction.
• Statistical Computing: This module focuses on statistical computing using R and other programming languages.
• Research Methods in Statistics: This module provides students with the skills necessary to conduct independent research in statistics.

Assessment:

The MA Statistics program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Presentations: Presentations are used to assess students' ability to communicate their findings effectively.
• Dissertation: The dissertation is a major assessment component, requiring students to conduct independent research and write a comprehensive report.

Teaching:

The MA Statistics program is taught by experienced faculty members who are experts in their fields. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Lectures are used to introduce students to the key concepts of the course.
• Tutorials: Tutorials are used to provide students with the opportunity to practice their skills and ask questions.
• Workshops: Workshops are used to provide students with hands-on experience with statistical software and techniques.
• Seminars: Seminars are used to expose students to current research in statistics.

Careers:

Graduates of the MA Statistics program are highly sought after by employers in a variety of industries, including:

• Pharmaceutical companies: Statistical analysis is essential for drug development and clinical trials.
• Banking and finance: Statistical models are used to assess risk, manage investments, and predict market trends.
• Government departments: Statistical data is used to inform policy decisions and monitor the effectiveness of government programs.
• Risk management: Statistical methods are used to identify and assess risks in a variety of industries.
• IT sector: Data scientists are in high demand in the IT sector, where they are used to analyze large datasets and develop new applications.

Other:

The MA Statistics program is ranked in the top 200 in the world in the QS World University Ranking. It is the only statistics group in Ireland to appear in this ranking.

MA Statistics (F043) Full Time EU fee per year - € 12500 nonEU fee per year - € 22530 MA Statistics (F044) Part Time EU fee per year - € 4280 Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme.