People who enjoy working with data and computers might wonder what a data science Ph.D. program is like. One key thing to remember about doctoral programs is that they tend to be research-based. This means that getting a doctorate will involve studying a lot of theory and doing experiments.
Opportunities and Disadvantages
Pursuing a doctorate in data science can provide the opportunity to work with innovative people in the field and do exciting research. It increases critical thinking skills and may provide the opportunity to work with technology that would be unavailable in a regular job. It also provides the chance to specialize deeply in one area of data science. However, there can be some disadvantages. People should be prepared to spend years completing the program. Some people find that doctoral programs are too theory-based for their purposes. A doctoral program also requires a person to work well in isolation. Finally, the time spent in the program is time that could be spent getting a sense of the corporate world and the “real-world” data science problems that arise there.
Structure
As is the case with most doctoral programs, in a data science program, there are generally two to three years of coursework followed by several years of writing a dissertation based on original research. Potential students should keep in mind that a doctorate in data science might have a different name, such as informatics or statistics. The curriculum is generally more informative than what the program is called, and it is important to make sure that they offer the focus that the student is interested in. Some students may want to explore specialties within the larger data science field, such as machine learning or data mining.
Things to Consider
Pursuing a doctoral degree is not for everyone. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a master’s or sometimes even a bachelor’s degree is sufficient to work in the field of computer and information research. However, many people in the field do have a doctorate, and there are some good reasons to pursue one. People who are passionate about a particular type of research they want to do and who know who they want to work with may be good candidates for a doctoral program. The program might also give them access to resources they would not have in private industry. Talking to current doctoral students and faculty can help give a person a good idea of what a data science Ph.D. program is like and if it is the right choice.
Funding
It is important to find funding for a doctoral program because they can be expensive. Many doctoral programs are fully funded, and students may want to avoid an offer from a program that is not. Funding may come from teaching or research fellowships or from assistantships.
Any kind of doctoral program requires a significant commitment of time and money, and some people may be happier going into the private industry after finishing a master’s degree. However, studying for a doctorate can also open up possibilities that are unavailable elsewhere. Understanding what a data science Ph.D. program is like can help students decide if they want to continue pursuing their education.
Related Resources:
- Top 10 Best Data Science Ph.D. Online Programs
- Data Science Salary
- What Careers are Opened up by a Ph.D. in Data Science?
- 5 Tips for Finding Success in a Data Science Ph.D. Program