By 2025 the global data volume will approach 175 zettabytes. Store that information on DVDs and the stack would reach the moon 23 times over. That sheer volume of data means that professionals are required to make sense of the information.

Sectors like finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecoms use vast amounts of data and present attractive career opportunities. Choosing the best degree for data science can open up new doors for those interested in playing a leading role in the lucrative field of data science.

Understanding Data Science and Its Educational Pathways

Data science has always been important. Businesses have been leveraging the power of data ever since the term was invented, but the data landscape is changing.

Today, data science combines math and statistics, advanced analytics, specialized programming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning to provide actionable strategic insights to organizations.

Aspirant professionals interested in playing a data-centric role in the success of an organization need appropriate, respected, and relevant qualifications, and finding the best degree for data science is the first step on the road to success.

That road offers many routes toward success in the individual’s chosen field.

Some data science career trajectories include:

  • Data scientist
  • Data analyst
  • Business analyst
  • Business intelligence analyst

Mid-Level

  • Data architect
  • Data engineer
  • Senior business analyst

Senior-Level

  • Lead data scientist
  • Director of data science
  • Vice president of data science
  • Chief information officer
  • Chief operations officer

What to Look For in a Data Science Degree

A firm foundation is essential for a rewarding career in data science, and that foundation must include a recognized undergraduate degree. The best degree for data science will be obtained from an accredited and well-respected education institution. It will provide foundational skills in areas such as data analysis, machine learning, big data, and statistical analysis (among others).

However, the structure of the coursework is important. An undergraduate degree in data science should:

  • Provide a solid understanding of principles and theory
  • Offer practical experience based on real-world immersion
  • Give opportunities for specialization

In addition, a world-class program will emphasize teamwork, innovation and effective communication and offer the chance to make industry connections.

Best Degree for Data Science: Which One Should You Choose?

Navigating the sometimes murky waters of higher education can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to choosing the best degree for data science, but here are some well-respected choices.

1. M.S. In Data Analytics – Franklin University

This online qualification will equip the professional with the statistical skills required to conduct descriptive and predictive analytics. It also provides the programming skillset necessary to create and apply computer algorithms and the tools and platforms to visualize and mine big data. Students can expect to complete the coursework in around 19 months.

2. Bachelor of Science in Industrial Systems Data Analytics – Lakeland University

The strength of this qualification from Lakeland is its focus on both programming and data management. The flexibility of the on-campus/online program makes it a very attractive option for those who already hold a 9-5 job. This program provides students with essential skills in programming, statistics, data analysis, and visualization.

3. Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics – Southern New Hampshire University

Although this is an online course, the experience of using advanced analytical tools to solve real-world challenges will provide potential employers with peace of mind. Also on offer is a focus on project management, which is essential given the complexities of data-driven projects. Focus areas include data analytics, computer science, and computer programming. The course should take four years to complete, although online delivery allows students to graduate more quickly

4. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Full Sail University

This program focuses on data structure and system design. The online and on-campus study option means that students can finish the coursework in less than 80 weeks. Focusing on core competencies such as computer science, computer programming, and data science, it is the perfect qualification for those entering the potentially rewarding world of data science.

5. Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics – Lynn University

The 100% online undergraduate qualification in data analytics can be completed in four years or less. Coursework includes business analytics, advanced business techniques, data programming, and data mining. With a focus on real-world solutions, this is a program that will pay dividends in increased employability in a highly competitive environment.

OPIT’s Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs in Data Science

OPIT’s Bachelor’s (BSc) in Modern Computer Science and Master’s Degrees (MSc) in Applied Digital Business and Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence have been designed with input from industry leaders and feature real-world application of the skills gained through study. This approach results in qualifications that are extremely attractive to potential employers.

The BSC in Modern Computer Science

The coursework of the six-term Bachelor’s in Modern Computer Science is delivered entirely using state-of-the-art platforms designed for ease of use and flexibility.

Both potential employers, academics, and industry professionals have had a hand in developing this degree. It aims to provide graduates with theoretical and practical 360-degree foundational skills, including such coursework as programming, software development, database development and functionality. Students will also dive into more complex topics like cloud computing, cybersecurity, data science, and the ever-more important subject of Artificial Intelligence.

The MSC in Applied Digital Business and Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

The 12–18 month Master’s Degree (MSc) in Applied Digital Business from OPIT supplies students with the knowledge and skills to tackle real-world challenges in technology, digitalization, and business. Coursework includes strategically orientated subjects such as digital transformation, digital finance, entrepreneurship, and digital product management. Students will also explore real-world applications with a capstone project and dissertation based on a real-world case study.

The 12-18 month Master’s in Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence is at the cutting edge of data science specialization. Online delivery of coursework means that students have incredible flexibility and can complete coursework at their own pace, a boon for busy professionals. Like other OPIT Master’s courses, this program emphasizes foundational principles and courses with content applicable to real-world challenges that can be analyzed using data science and AI. Coursework includes business principles, data science, machine learning, and Artificial Intelligence.

Why Consider OPIT for Your Data Science Education?

OPIT’s affordable, fully accredited, and internationally recognized degrees leverage knowledge from leading academics and industry leaders. This ensures the most relevant course content and resources, all delivered via cutting-edge online platforms. The institute’s flexible scheduling, the blend of theoretical and practical knowledge, and hands-on experience deliver an educational experience unlike any other available today.

The Future of Data Science and the Role of Education

The amount of data that has to be gathered, stored and analyzed by businesses is growing exponentially. This has fueled increasing demand for skilled and qualified data scientists. Employers are looking for the best of the best, and one of the time-proven ways to stand out from the crowd is by obtaining a recognized and respected qualification – the best degree for data science.

Of course, the learning doesn’t stop at one degree. Data science pioneers know the importance of lifelong learning and staying abreast of the latest methodologies, trends, and advancements.

A Data Science Degree – Making the Right Choice

Choosing the best degree for data science can be a challenge, but that challenge becomes manageable when one whittles down the choices. Make sure that the education provider you choose has impeccable credentials and a good reputation. Both of these are based on the delivery of exceptional course content that focuses on both theory and real-world experience.

Employers want graduates who can hit the ground running. Choosing a degree from OPIT means that the employee can start adding real value to organizational strategy from Day 1, and that is what employers want.

Related posts

OPIT Supporting a New Generation of Cybersecurity Leaders
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
Aug 28, 2025 5 min read

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) began enrolling students in 2023 to help bridge the skills gap between traditional university education and the requirements of the modern workplace. OPIT’s MSc courses aim to help professionals make a greater impact on their workplace through technology.

OPIT’s courses have become popular with business leaders hoping to develop a strong technical foundation to understand technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, that are shaping their industry. But OPIT is also attracting professionals with strong technical expertise looking to engage more deeply with the strategic side of digital innovation. This is the story of one such student, Obiora Awogu.

Meet Obiora

Obiora Awogu is a cybersecurity expert from Nigeria with a wealth of credentials and experience from working in the industry for a decade. Working in a lead data security role, he was considering “what’s next” for his career. He was contemplating earning an MSc to add to his list of qualifications he did not yet have, but which could open important doors. He discussed the idea with his mentor, who recommended OPIT, where he himself was already enrolled in an MSc program.

Obiora started looking at the program as a box-checking exercise, but quickly realized that it had so much more to offer. As well as being a fully EU-accredited course that could provide new opportunities with companies around the world, he recognized that the course was designed for people like him, who were ready to go from building to leading.

OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity

OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity launched in 2024 as a fully online and flexible program ideal for busy professionals like Obiora who want to study without taking a career break.

The course integrates technical and leadership expertise, equipping students to not only implement cybersecurity solutions but also lead cybersecurity initiatives. The curriculum combines technical training with real-world applications, emphasizing hands-on experience and soft skills development alongside hard technical know-how.

The course is led by Tom Vazdar, the Area Chair for Cybersecurity at OPIT, as well as the Chief Security Officer at Erste Bank Croatia and an Advisory Board Member for EC3 European Cybercrime Center. He is representative of the type of faculty OPIT recruits, who are both great teachers and active industry professionals dealing with current challenges daily.

Experts such as Matthew Jelavic, the CEO at CIM Chartered Manager Canada and President of Strategy One Consulting; Mahynour Ahmed, Senior Cloud Security Engineer at Grant Thornton LLP; and Sylvester Kaczmarek, former Chief Scientific Officer at We Space Technologies, join him.

Course content includes:

  • Cybersecurity fundamentals and governance
  • Network security and intrusion detection
  • Legal aspects and compliance
  • Cryptography and secure communications
  • Data analytics and risk management
  • Generative AI cybersecurity
  • Business resilience and response strategies
  • Behavioral cybersecurity
  • Cloud and IoT security
  • Secure software development
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Leadership and communication in cybersecurity
  • AI-driven forensic analysis in cybersecurity

As with all OPIT’s MSc courses, it wraps up with a capstone project and dissertation, which sees students apply their skills in the real world, either with their existing company or through apprenticeship programs. This not only gives students hands-on experience, but also helps them demonstrate their added value when seeking new opportunities.

Obiora’s Experience

Speaking of his experience with OPIT, Obiora said that it went above and beyond what he expected. He was not surprised by the technical content, in which he was already well-versed, but rather the change in perspective that the course gave him. It helped him move from seeing himself as someone who implements cybersecurity solutions to someone who could shape strategy at the highest levels of an organization.

OPIT’s MSc has given Obiora the skills to speak to boards, connect risk with business priorities, and build organizations that don’t just defend against cyber risks but adapt to a changing digital world. He commented that studying at OPIT did not give him answers; instead, it gave him better questions and the tools to lead. Of course, it also ticks the MSc box, and while that might not be the main reason for studying at OPIT, it is certainly a clear benefit.

Obiora has now moved into a leading Chief Information Security Officer Role at MoMo, Payment Service Bank for MTN. There, he is building cyber-resilient financial systems, contributing to public-private partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity experts.

Leading Cybersecurity in Africa

As well as having a significant impact within his own organization, studying at OPIT has helped Obiora develop the skills and confidence needed to become a leader in the cybersecurity industry across Africa.

In March 2025, Obiora was featured on the cover of CIO Africa Magazine and was then a panelist on the “Future of Cybersecurity Careers in the Age of Generative AI” for Comercio Ltd. The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry also invited him to speak on Cybersecurity in Africa.

Obiora recently presented the keynote speech at the Hackers Secret Conference 2025 on “Code in the Shadows: Harnessing the Human-AI Partnership in Cybersecurity.” In the talk, he explored how AI is revolutionizing incident response, enhancing its speed, precision, and proactivity, and improving on human-AI collaboration.

An OPIT Success Story

Talking about Obiora’s success, the OPIT Area Chair for Cybersecurity said:

“Obiora is a perfect example of what this program was designed for – experienced professionals ready to scale their impact beyond operations. It’s been inspiring to watch him transform technical excellence into strategic leadership. Africa’s cybersecurity landscape is stronger with people like him at the helm. Bravo, Obiora!”

Learn more about OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity and how it can support the next steps of your career.

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How Regenerative Business Models Are Redefining Innovation and Sustainability
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology
Aug 18, 2025 6 min read

Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) masterclasses bring students face-to-face with real-world business challenges. In OPIT’s July masterclass, OPIT Professor Francesco Derchi and Ph.D. candidate Robert Mario de Stefano explained the principles of regenerative businesses and how regeneration goes hand in hand with growth.

Regenerative Business Models

Professor Derchi began by explaining what exactly is meant by regenerative business models, clearly differentiating them from sustainable or circular models.

Many companies pursue sustainable business models in which they offset their negative impact by investing elsewhere. For example, businesses that are big carbon consumers will support nature regeneration projects. Circular business models are similar but are more focused on their own product chain, aiming to minimize waste by keeping products in use as long as possible through recycling. Both models essentially aim to have a “net-zero” negative impact on the environment.

Regenerative models are different because they actively aim to have a “net-positive” impact on the environment, not just offsetting their own use but actively regenerating the planet.

Massive Transformative Purpose

While regenerative business models are often associated with philanthropic endeavors, Professor Derchi explained that they do not have to be, and that investment in regeneration can be a driver of growth.

He discussed the importance of corporate purpose in the modern business space. Having a strong and clearly stated corporate purpose is considered essential to drive business decision-making, encourage employee buy-in, and promote customer loyalty.

But today, simple corporate missions, such as “make good shoes,” don’t go far enough. People are looking for a Massive Transformational Purpose (MTP) that can take the business to the next level.

Take, for example, Ben & Jerry’s. The business’s initial corporate purpose may have been to make great ice cream and serve it up in a way that people will enjoy. But the business really began to grow when they embraced an MTP. As they announced in their mission statement, “We believe that ice cream can change the world.” Their business activities also have the aim of advancing human rights and dignity, supporting social and economic justice, and protecting and restoring the Earth’s natural systems. While these aims are philanthropic, they have also helped the business grow.

RePlanet

Professor Derchi next talked about RePlanet, a business he recently worked to develop their MTP. Founded in 2015, RePlanet designs and implements customized renewable energy solutions for businesses and projects. The company already operates in the renewable energy field and ranked as the 21st fastest-growing business in Italy in 2023. So while they were already enjoying great success, Derchi worked with them to see if actively embracing a regenerative business model could unlock additional growth.

Working together, RePlanet moved towards an MTP of building a greener future based on today’s choices, ensuring a cleaner world for generations. Meeting this goal started with the energy products that RePlanet sells, such as energy systems that recover heat from dairy farms. But as the business’s MTP, it goes beyond that. RePlanet doesn’t just engage suppliers; it chooses partners that share its specific values. It also influences the projects they choose to work on – they prioritize high-impact social projects, such as recently installing photovoltaic energy systems at a local hospital in Nigeria – and how RePlanet treats its talent, acknowledging that people are the true energy of the company.

Regenerative Business Strategies

Based on work with RePlanet and other businesses, Derchi has identified six archetypal regenerative business strategies for businesses that want to have both a regenerative impact and drive growth:

  • Regenerative Leadership – Laying the foundation for regeneration in a broader sense throughout the company
  • Nature Regeneration – Strategies to improve the health of the natural world
  • Social Regeneration – Regenerating human ecosystems through things such as fair-trade practices
  • Responsible Sourcing – Empowering and strengthening suppliers and their communities
  • Health & Well-being – Creating products and services that have a positive effect on customers
  • Employee Focus – Improve work conditions, lives, and well-being of employees.

Case Studies

Building on the concept of regenerative business models, Roberto Mario de Stefano shared other case studies of businesses that are having a positive impact and enjoying growth thanks to regenerative business models and strategies.

Biorfarm

Biorfarm is a digital platform that supports small-scale agriculture by creating a direct link between small farmers and consumers. Cutting out the middleman in modern supply chains means that farmers earn about 50% more for their produce. They set consumers up as “digital farmers” who actively support and learn about farming activities to promote more conscious food consumption.

Their vision is to create a food economy in which those who produce food and those who consume it are connected. This moves consumers from passive cash cows for large corporations that prioritize profits over the well-being of farmers to actively supporting natural production and a more sustainable system.

Rifo Lab

Rifo Lab is a circular clothing brand with the vision of addressing the problem of overproduction in the clothing industry. Established in Prato, Italy, a traditional textile-producing area, the company produces clothes made from textile waste and biodegradable materials. There are no physical stores, and all orders must be placed online; everything is made to order, reducing excess production.

With an eye on social regeneration, all production takes place within 30 kilometers of their offices, allowing the business to support ethical and local production. They also work with companies that actively integrate migrants into the local community, sharing their local artisan crafts with future generations.

Ogyre

Ogyre is a digital platform that allows you to pay fishermen to fish for waste. When fishermen are out conducting their livelihood, they also collect a significant amount of waste from the ocean, especially plastic waste. Ogyre arranges for fishermen to get paid for collecting that waste, which in turn supports the local fishing communities, and then transforms the waste collected into new sustainable products.

Moving Towards a Regenerative Future

The masterclass concluded with a Q&A session, where it explained that working in regenerative businesses requires the same skills as any other business. But it also requires you to embrace a mindset where value comes from giving and that growth is about working together for a better future, and not just competition.

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