MSc by Research
Information on the MSc by Research in Data Science.
CDT in Data Science First Year Information
In Year 1 of the programme, you will be registered for the degree of MSc by Research in Data Science. All students are expected to fulfil the degree programme requirements by the end of their first year, normally only being eligible for progression to the PhD after successful completion of the MSc by Research and approval of an outline PhD project proposal (further information below). A detailed summary of the course constraints and registration rules is available in the link below. You should complete course registration before the end of week 1 (i.e. the first week of classes).
MSc by Research course requirements
MSc by Research Project Guidance
Progression to PhD & Seeking a PhD Supervisor
Progression from the first year MSc(R) to your PhD is contingent on making satisfactory academic progress during the first year. In general, if you have a mark of 65% or above on both your coursework and dissertation, we will consider this evidence of satisfactory progress. If your marks are below this, you may still be allowed to progress, but only if we can be otherwise satisfied that you have the ability to successfully complete a PhD. These decisions will be taken by the CDT in Data Science Executive Committee, most likely in late-August of Year 2 (i.e. September after completion of the MSc(R)).
Data Science Executive Committee
To officially progress onto the PhD, students will also need to identify a supervisor and put together an outline PhD project proposal, to be submitted in October of Year 2. The outline proposals will also be approved by the CDT's Executive Committee.
Throughout the MSc(R) year, CDT students should look for potential PhD supervisors. TheIntroduction to Research in Data Science course is designed to introduce you to potential MSc(R) and/or PhD supervisors. You should also read through the list of potential supervisors. Although you are not restricted to this list, these are the staff who are most likely to be suitable. You might also consider speaking to the lecturers of courses that you particularly enjoyed.
Introduction to Research in Data Science
As soon as you identify someone who looks like a good match, you should meet with him/her to find out what they are currently hoping to work on. By the time you start preparing your formal outline PhD project proposal in September of Year 2, you would ideally have already worked out the basic idea for your proposed project, and will be ready to narrow it down into a concrete and feasible proposal.
Further information about progression to the PhD in Data Science and PhD project selection is found on the PhD pages.
School Information
A range of School resources are accessible online, giving CDT in Data Science first year students access to established teaching materials and facilities available elsewhere in Informatics.
Coursework and project materials
Sortable lists of Informatics taught courses
Timetable of Informatics taught courses
Regulations, Assessment and Board of Examiners
The MSc by Research is administered by the School's MSc Board of Examiners. Progression to the PhD in Data Science is contingent on successful completion of the MSc by Research programme, along with approval of an outline PhD proposal as described in the PhD in Data Science information Full information on MSc(R) performance will be made available immediately after the Board of Examiners meeting. More detailed information on the governance and examination processes is available externally.
MSc course guide (For all Informatics MSc Students)
Code of practice for supervisors and research students (including CDT students)
PGR Assessment Regulations (For postgraduate research students, including the CDT)
Assessment & award of the MSc by Research in Data Science (CDT in Data Science students only)
Note that some aspects of the MSc by Research degree differ from the general MSc procedures outlined in the MSc course guide, as detailed in the MSc by Research Course Requirements link above. In particular, most aspects of how summer projects are chosen and approved are different from the standard MSc -- MSc by Research in Data Science students do not take Informatics Research Proposal (IRP) or Informatics Research Review (IRR), do not bid for pre-defined projects, and always continue to the summer projects without any criterion placed on performance in the coursework or exams. Once projects are allocated and begun, however, the standard MSc procedures apply. The standard MSc regulations apply to the individual taught courses at all times.