Master’s Degree in Data Science

The Master's Degree in Data Science is a two-year course of the University of Naples Federico II, promoted by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. It trains interdisciplinary professionals able to manage and analyse data to support complex decisions, in a field in which statistical, computing and domain skills must work together. The course is delivered entirely in English and takes place in person in Naples. Data science requires combining statistics, mathematics, computer science and knowledge of the context in which the data are collected. The course offers a foundational first year and a specialisation second year, so as to build skills common to all students and then direct them towards scientific, technological or public administration and economics applications.

The first year is devoted to statistics, mathematics, computer science, machine learning and legal-philosophical aspects, the latter linked to the ethical and regulatory implications of the use of data. In the second year four curricula are available: Fundamental Sciences, Intelligent Systems, Information Technologies and Data Science for Public Administration, Economy and Management. The page mentions internships and interdisciplinary seminars, without detailing them, and does not state the number of credits. The four curricula show the breadth of the field: Fundamental Sciences, Intelligent Systems, Information Technologies and Data Science for Public Administration, Economy and Management. The presence of legal-philosophical aspects in the first year signals attention to ethical questions, such as privacy protection and responsibility for decisions made with algorithms.

The career opportunities indicated are data scientist and data engineer in technology companies, public administration and research centres. The course is aimed at bachelor's graduates in scientific and humanities disciplines, an unusually broad audience, so it is advisable to check the curricular requirements. Since it is in English, it requires a good knowledge of the language, the level of which is not stated. Price, start date, selection, places and scholarships are not given. The course is open to graduates from scientific and humanities areas, and this probably requires catching up on some mathematical and computing basics for those coming from less quantitative backgrounds. The career opportunities include technology companies, public administration and research centres. The admission arrangements must be checked in the official call for applications. Before applying it is advisable to compare this information with that published on the university's official website, which may be more up to date than the page. It is also advisable to contact the department's teaching office to clarify any doubts about attendance, lesson calendar, assessment methods and organisation of the final exam.