OPIT Program Deep Dive: MSc in Applied Data Science and AI

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly advances and becomes increasingly important in many industries, students are eager to learn all they can about this exciting, emerging technology. The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) can help facilitate that process, providing a range of AI-oriented bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, such as the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI.

Introducing the OPIT MSc in Applied Data Science and AI

The OPIT MSc in Applied Data Science and AI is a master’s degree program aimed at graduate students seeking careers in management and tech departments of large or growing businesses. It empowers students with practical skills and knowledge related to its two titular concepts: data science and artificial intelligence technologies.

As with other OPIT courses, this MSc is delivered entirely online, making it a flexible and accessible choice for students from around the world. It can appeal to recent bachelor’s degree graduates or seasoned professionals looking to upskill, broaden their knowledge, or even pursue a possible career transition into a new field.

Once students complete the course, which culminates with a capstone project, they will find a wide range of high-demand, high-salary professional opportunities open up to them. Potential careers utilizing this knowledge include data and AI management, strategic consultancy, and product management. Entrepreneurial students may even elect to start their own companies post-graduation.

Here are the key facts that interested applicants may want to know about this course:

• Duration: Either three or four terms, typically over the course of one year.
• Content: Professional-level instruction on subjects related to the fields of data science and AI, including applied machine learning, big data, and the ethics and regulations of artificial intelligence.
• Focus: Equipping graduates with practical skills and hands-on knowledge to thrive at the intersection of management and tech departments within organizations.
• Format: Online, with a mix of pre-recorded content that students can access on demand, along with a schedule of live lectures.
• Assessment: Progressive assessment, which measures students’ understanding as they proceed through the course, rather than relying solely on tests or final exams. Students will also complete a capstone project.

What You’ll Learn

Students of the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI will begin in the first term by studying foundational applicable courses related to data science and AI. Core topics covered include Python programming for data science, applied artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing infrastructure. Students will also gain core project management skills, which may prove vital for their future careers.

In the second term, students will deepen their knowledge with an array of mandatory and elective courses. Mandatory topics covered include business communication skills, research methods, and the ethics and regulation of artificial intelligence. When it comes to electives, students will be able to look into how AI and data science can be used in specific industries, like healthcare, fintech, and public policy.

In the final term, students will put the knowledge they have gained to the test. They will complete their MSc thesis, including a capstone project and dissertation. They’ll work alongside an OPIT supervisor to develop and realize a project proposal, demonstrating their mastery of the topics covered in the preceding terms.

Who It’s For

The MSc in Applied Data Science and AI program can appeal to recent graduates, seasoned professionals considering a career change, or anyone else with a passion for technology or a specific interest in AI and data science. It’s an ideal choice for those who seek to gain a broad level of knowledge of both data and emerging AI technologies, rather than specializing in either one field or the other.

Those who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field will have the best chance of success in this course. As such, it’s well-suited to those who have just graduated from courses like OPIT’s BSc in Digital Business or BSc in Computer Science. Graduates will be able to take their pick from an array of excellent career roles, like Business Intelligence Manager or Chief Data Officer.

The Value of the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI Course at OPIT

Many colleges and universities are starting to offer an increasing variety of degrees and master’s programs related to AI and data science. But OPIT offers a truly unique learning experience that students can’t find anywhere else. Some of the benefits of enrolling in this course include:

• Convenient Online Instruction: The OPIT MSc in Applied Data Science and AI is provided entirely online, which means that students don’t need to worry about traveling to a specific location and the costs and complications that come with that. They can simply access their learning materials on-demand, from the comfort of home. It’s one of the most flexible, efficient ways to learn.
• Valuable, Practical Instruction: Students have long complained about conventional educational systems that demand too much time and focus on knowledge that may have academic value but little practical usage. OPIT takes a different view. Its courses – including the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI – include a strong emphasis on skills and knowledge you can truly use for years to come.
• Leading Lecturers and Strong Support: At OPIT, students have the chance to study and learn from some of the world’s best researchers and tech professionals. Some of the leading lecturers on this course include AI entrepreneur Moez Ali and former parliamentary innovation officer Pierluigi Casale. Students can contact lecturers when they feel the need and participate in communal groups to help and learn from one another, too.

Entry Requirements and Fees

OPIT aims to make high-level technological education as accessible and affordable as possible, inviting students from different backgrounds and walks of life to enroll and take part. The entry requirements are relatively relaxed. Applicants should have a passion for technology and a strong eagerness to learn about data science and the applications of AI, along with:

• A BSc degree, ideally in STEM, but not necessary
• An English language proficiency certificate at level B2

With OPIT’s credit transfer system, you may be able to skip some of the subjects or even an entire term of the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI program, depending on your prior experiences and existing qualifications.

With regard to cost, the full price for this MSc program is €6,750, or €2,250 per term. You can make one payment or pay on a installment basis, and OPIT offers a variety of financing plans and even scholarships to help you manage your payments or potentially reduce the total cost.