MDS Data Science at Rice University

Programme overview

The MDS is a non-thesis master's degree in Data Science, with the Computer Science department handling graduate admissions and advising. Graduates master the computational and statistical foundations of data science and apply data science to real-world problems from raw data to insights.

Faculty: George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing | Department: Data Science / Computer Science | Duration: 31-35 credit hours (10-13 courses) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Houston, TX, United States

What you will study

Core: Big Data (COMP 543/643), Data Visualization (COMP 665), Machine Learning (COMP 642/ELEC 578), Programming (COMP 614) and Statistics (COMP 680). Specialisation areas: Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Image Processing and Sport Analytics; plus a professional development requirement and a capstone, DSCI 535/COMP 549 Applied Machine Learning and Data Science Projects.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Degree completion needs a 2.67 minimum GPA. Rice science and engineering undergraduates may use a fifth-year option. Rice engineering master's programmes (applies to the programme group): applicants generally need at least a 3.0 (B) undergraduate GPA; the GRE is generally not required, though individual programmes may recommend or require it; three letters of recommendation; official transcripts from every university attended. International applicants without a degree from an English-language institution need TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 7 or Duolingo English Test 115. Deadlines vary by programme.

Requirements published at program group level.

Fall 2027 entry; most doctoral programmes close December 1, 2026; professional master's programmes such as MCS, MDS, MME and MChE use rolling or later deadlines (May 1 international, July 1 domestic).

Master's application fee is $85. Mechanical Engineering MME and Chemical Engineering MChE close May 1 (international) and July 1 (domestic) for Fall; Computer Science MCS/MDS close between February 10, 2027 (scholarship consideration) and July 1, 2027.

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