COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Data Science (MScDS) at Thompson Rivers University is a structured graduate program that normally requires the completion of a minimum of 32 credits and is designed to be finished in about two years of full-time study. The curriculum includes four core courses: STAT 5310, STAT 5320, DASC 5410, and DASC 5420, which build foundational knowledge in statistics, computing, machine learning, and data science methods. Students must also complete two terms of graduate seminars (DASC 6810), which help develop research communication and critical analysis skills. The program then offers two completion pathways: a Graduate Project option (DASC 6910) or a Thesis option (DASC 6930), allowing students to choose between applied industry-focused work or research-intensive study. In addition, students take elective courses from advanced mathematics, statistics, computing science, or data science (such as MATH 5210, MATH 5220, or DASC 6XXX electives) to strengthen specialization based on career goals. The project-based route typically includes core courses, seminars, electives, and a major project, while the thesis route replaces the project with a more in-depth research thesis. Overall, the curriculum integrates theoretical foundations, practical analytics, and research training to prepare graduates for careers in data science, AI, and advanced analytics or further doctoral studies.