Master of Science in Data-Driven Modeling
MSc(DDM)
Both full- and part-time
Full-time : 1 year
Part-time : 2 years
$220,000
Program Director:
Prof Ding PAN, Associate Professor of Physics
Jointly offered by the Departments of Physics and Mathematics, the program aims at cultivating the next generation to have strong skills in problem-solving and logical thinking so that they become competent in the data science sector. By bridging theory, practice and techniques, the program provides students hands-on experience in analyzing large amount of data, thereby providing valuable insights to understand complex situations and facilitate smart decision making for businesses, industries and services.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Handle large amount of data using computational tools;
- Extract significant features from the data using scientific programming and statistical learning;
- Select appropriate hardware for different computational tasks;
- Interpret time-dependent data using concepts of stochastic processes;
- Utilize quantitative skills to make predictions;
- Provide solutions to optimization problems and for decision making through data-based modeling; and
- Adopt an innovation-minded attitude in exploring new uses of data-driven modeling.
-
Minimum Credit Requirement
31 credits
-
Core Courses
13 credits
-
Elective Courses
18 credits
Apart from the electives in the MSc(DDM) Program, students are allowed to take up to 3 credits of electives offered by the MSc Program in Financial Mathematics, subject to approval of the Program Director.
-
Remarks
Part-time students may take a maximum of 9 credits in each term.
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
-
Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification.
Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:
-
TOEFL-iBT: 80 *
-
TOEFL-pBT: 550
-
TOEFL-Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)
-
IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and All sub-score: 5.5 *
* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.
Applicants are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if
-
their first language is English, or
-
they obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.
- A bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering disciplines, or
- A bachelor’s degree in other discipline and:
- Have relevant working experience in computation-related fields, and
- Have working knowledge in at least one computer language, and basic training in calculus and linear algebra.
Integrated Bachelor-Master Pathway
- Only for HKUST students in Year 3 or above who are studying a bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering disciplines. Admissions are merit-based and decided on individual basis.
- Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer for admission to MSc(DDM) and need to pay a deposit at the prevailing deposit rate.
- They will be allowed to start taking MSc(DDM) courses in their final year of undergraduate study, and will enter the MSc(DDM) Program upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree.
- Upon entering MSc(DDM), they can transfer up to 9 credits taken during the undergraduate study to fulfill the MSc(DDM) program requirements. They will pay tuition fee for the remaining credits on a pro-rata basis, with a minimum payment for 22 credits.
Apply online before the application deadlines.
HK$500
For 2025/26 Fall Term Intake (commencing in Sep 2025):
Non-local Applicants*
Full-time: 15 Apr 2025
Part-time: 15 Apr 2025
Local Applicants
Full-time: 15 Apr 2025
Part-time: 15 Apr 2025
* Applicants are considered as non-local students if they hold (i) student visa/ entry permit; or (ii) visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or (iii) dependent visa/entry permit who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa/ entry permit by the Director of Immigration. For details on student visa/ entry permit requirements, please click here.
