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Why this programme?

Data Science for Decision Making

Data Science for Decision Making will familiarise you with methods, techniques and algorithms that can be used to address major issues in mathematical modelling and decision making. You will also get hands-on experience in applying this knowledge through computer classes, group research projects and the thesis research. The unique blend of courses will equip you with all the knowledge and skills you’ll need to have a successful career.

Widespread applications

Data Science for Decision Making links data science with making informed decisions. It has widespread applications in business and engineering, such as scheduling customer service agents, optimising supply chains, discovering patterns in time series and data, controlling dynamical systems, modelling biological processes, finding optimal strategies in negotiation and extracting meaningful components from brain signals. This means you'll be able to pursue a career in many different industries after you graduate.

Programme topics

Data Science for Decision Making covers the following topics:

  • production planning, scheduling and supply chain optimisation
  • modelling and decision making under randomness, for instance in queuing theory and simulation
  • signal and image processing with emphasis on wavelet analysis and applications in biology
  • algorithms for big data
  • estimation and identification of mathematical models, and fitting models to data
  • dynamic game theory, non-cooperative games and strategic decision making with applications in evolutionary game theory and biology
  • feedback control design and optimal control, for stabilisation and for tracking a desired behaviour
  • symbolic computation and exact numerical computation, with attention to speed, efficiency and memory usage
  • optimisation of continuous functions and of problems of a combinatorial nature
Biobased Materials

Examples of projects offered at the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences are:

  • developing climate models
  • analysing heart signals
  • intelligent search engines
  • vision recognition systems
  • interactive mathematics

What our students think 

Find out why our student Jurriaan chose the master's Data Science for Decision Making and what he likes most about the programme in the video.

Meet our students

Our students are happy to answer all your questions about the programme and about (student) life in Maastricht.

Request a personal Skype call
Download information bundle 
 

Why I chose to study MSc Data Science for Decision Making @ Maastricht University - Student Jurriaan

Project-Centred Learning

Our programme is designed around the Project-Centred Learning (PCL) teaching method. You work in small groups on complex and challenging projects, where you immediately apply what you have learned to real-life problems. This enables you to develop a variety of skills such as project management, writing, presenting and working in a team. We offer skill workshops to further develop these competences, which are also important for your future career.

Project examples
Projects are based on recent research, or mirror real-life situations like those in companies and organisations, for example in healthcare, IT and logistics. At the end of each project you deliver a functional product and present your findings to your fellow students and the teachers.

Browse through examples of student projects

BA_DKE_CoursesCurriculum.jpg

Vakken en curriculum

Student research and master’s projects:  

Did you know that around 30% of our master's students publishes their work in academic journals and at top-tier research conferences? Project work, theses, internships and honours projects often find their way into scientific literature, and our students frequently travel to present their work.

Here are a few recent examples:

  • In 2019, five students of the Data Science for Decision Making master's programme built a chatbot to assist survivors of sexual harassment. The sci & tech blog The Register wrote about the chatbot. The project went all the way to the Dutch government, where the chatbot became the subject of questions to the parliament. Academically, the chatbot was a hit too: the publication received the Best Paper Award at the 4th Workshop on Data Science for Social Good.
  • Five master’s students of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science for Decision Making programmes tackled AI models and looked into ways of making them interpretable. You can read the write-up of their problem statement and results in this blog.
  • Do you want to know more about project-centred learning? The student projects blog collects a selection of layman's write-ups, which is one of the tasks you're asked to complete for the projects. It features bachelor’s theses and master's projects.

Specialisation in Quantum Computing

Researcher working on a quantum computer

Quantum computing is a real buzz in computing science and beyond. Although quantum computing hardware is still in its infancy, scientists, companies and governments want to be ready for the real thing.

If you want to prepare for the advantages quantum computers may offer in computing, and specifically in the fields of data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, then Maastricht University is the place to be. We are the only Dutch university offering a specialisation in Quantum Computing as part of Data Science for Decision Making and Artificial Intelligence master’s programmes. If you finish your specialisation successfully, it will be mentioned on your master’s diploma.

Read more about the specialisation

Custom-made programme

In this programme, you'll have plenty of opportunity to concentrate on specific areas of interest and specialise in a particular field.  In the first year, you start by following a number of core courses which will be complemented with two (semester long) projects. These projects allow you to apply your knowledge to real-life problems. During the entire academic year you are able to pursue your own interests with a number of elective courses.  In the second year of the master’s programme you can specialize in specific topics and profiles, enabling you to fit your personal needs and build towards your future perspective. You can participate in internships within a company, go on an international exchange semester at one of our partner universities or follow courses from other master’s programmes at Maastricht University. The final semester will be fully spent working on your thesis.

For more detailed information about the programme, visit the courses & curriculum page.

Our differences are our greatest strength

Maastricht University is focused the development of its International Classroom, a place where our differences become our strengths. From day 1, you’ll be challenged with differing viewpoints and experiences as you interact with staff and students from all over Europe and the world. Your preconceptions and worldview will be enhanced by this interaction, bringing you closer to the programme’s goal of teaching students not only facts and concepts but also international accessibility and understanding. Roughly two-thirds of the students at the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences come from outside the Netherlands, giving the department the highest ratio of international students at Maastricht University. Such diversity creates an international atmosphere that is strengthened by the international orientation of the programme.

 

Internships

Internships not only enhance your studies by giving you practical experience, but they also give you an edge when looking for a job. In fact, many graduates end up working at the organisation where they intern. During the second year of the programme, you will spend half a year working on a project either at a university or working for an organisation. Large multinationals value the knowledge of our master students. Faculty members at the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences cooperate in international research programmes and can help students find excellent international internships.

In the past, students have interned at:

  • Philips Research
  • CERN
  • RWTH
  • Vodafone
  • Xerox

Spend a semester abroad

The Data Science for Decision Making programme gives you the opportunity to study abroad for at least half a year. Imagine sipping a cappuccino in Rome, taking a glacier tour in Iceland, or taking a long-weekend hike outside Montreal, all while studying at one of the top universities in the world. The Department of Department of Advanced Computing Sciences has partner institutions in Asia, North America and Europe. Students return having had the experience of a lifetime: travelling the world, meeting new friends, learning about different cultures, and working to complete their studies.

Thesis

In the second semester of the second year, you write your master’s thesis on a topic of your interest, under the supervision of one of the academic staff members. You can choose to write your master’s thesis at Maastricht University, at a company of your choice or at one of the academic partners of the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences.

PREMIUM honours programme

PREMIUM honours programme

PREMIUM is our Honours programme for high-performing master’s students. If selected, you will work in an interdisciplinary team on a project for a real client from the public or private sector (e.g. Cisco, DHL, EcoAct). Along with guidance from a project mentor, you will receive individual coaching focused on your personal and professional development. You will also attend several workshops and events designed to cultivate valuable knowledge and skills, as well as build a network that provides you with the best preparation possible for the job market.

Are you up for the PREMIUM challenge?

 More about PREMIUM  

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Data Science for Decision Making

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