Master of Science in Data Science & Informatics (Health Studies)
Website: https://twu.edu/informatics/graduate-program/
Data Science and Informatics is the interprofessional study and application of information science, computer science, cognitive science, and organizational science to the arts, sciences, and professions. Informatics includes a formal study of information, including:
- its structure, properties, uses, and function in society, and
- the people who use the information and the technologies developed to record, organize, store, retrieve, and disseminate it.
The M.S. in Data Science and Informatics program provides graduate students with a flexible, adaptable, interprofessional, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of Data Science and Informatics, delivered in a hybrid learning environment. Academic Components, including Computer Science, Nursing, Health Promotion and Kinesiology, and Library and Information Studies, deliver the program collaboratively. Majors in this program will build upon a set of foundational courses and choose discipline-specific courses within Health Studies to complete the major.
The program covers central knowledge and skill sets that all Data Science and Informatics students explore to refine their understanding of Data Science and Informatics and its application in high-demand professions and careers. Majors will learn to use technology and data analytics to derive meaningful information from data for data and decision-driven practice in user-centered systems.
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills prepare students for success in a variety of professional settings. Developed through academic coursework, co-curricular engagement, and extracurricular involvement, these skills include communication, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and digital literacy. Whether directly related to a student’s major or serving as complementary strengths, marketable skills enhance career readiness and reflect TWU’s commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.
- Work as a member of a project team to coordinate database and project development and determine project scope and limitations.
- Develop and implement procedures for data management, data storage and retrieval, distributed systems, evaluating data quality, data security, data transfer, data analysis, modeling, and visualization.
- Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification, or disclosure.
- Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
- Design, create, and administer a computer network.
- Demonstrate personal accountability and work habits, integrity, and ethical behavior.
- Proficient in needed software tools skills.
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Degree Requirements
Effective July 29, 2024: Students without a background in Informatics may be required to complete the proficiency foundational coursework CSCI 5001 and CSCI 5011 at the determination of the program coordinator.
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
The degree program consists of a minimum of 30 semester credit hours (SCH) of graduate coursework, 12 of which are foundations in computer science and 18 of which are discipline-specific coursework, including three SCHs in software/statistical tools. The program is completed with an interprofessional, interdisciplinary capstone project.
Recommended course sequence
- Students requiring proficiency in courses CSCI 5003 and CSCI 5203 should complete these courses before enrolling in other classes.
- CSCI 5103 should be taken in the first semester of study.
- CSCI 5123 and CSCI 5573 should be taken in the first year of study.
- CSCI 5923 should be taken in the last semester of study.
All other courses may be taken in any sequence unless a required prerequisite is noted. Contact the advisor if you have any questions.
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Proficiency Courses (may be waived) | 0-6 | |
| Information Systems Infrastructure and Programming | ||
| Database Systems | ||
| Computer Science Core | ||
| CSCI 5103 | Fundamentals of Informatics | 3 |
| CSCI 5123 | Foundations of Information Systems Security | 3 |
| CSCI 5573 | Foundations of Data Science | 3 |
| CSCI 5673 | Big Data: Management, Access, and Use | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 12-18 | |
Application Area: Health Studies Option
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HS 5353 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| HS 5453 | Community-Based Health Informatics | 3 |
| HS 5773 | Social and Organizational Issues in Health Informatics | 3 |
| HS 5923 | Capstone in Informatics | 3 |
| Select two of the following | 6 | |
| Risk Reduction | ||
| Population Health | ||
| Current Issues in Health Promotion | ||
| Worksite Health Promotion | ||
| Global Health | ||
| Theoretical Foundations of Health Promotion | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Total SCHs | 18 | |
Cooperative Education
In order for coursework in Cooperative Education to be counted as degree credit, department and advisory committee approval must be received during the semester in which the course is taken. This approval is in addition to approval to enroll in Cooperative Education coursework. Only three semester credit hours of Cooperative Education may be counted toward the Master’s degree.
