International M.Sc. Program in Statistics with Specialization in the Field of Data Science
The University of Haifa’s International Master of Science program in Statistics was inaugurated in 2017,
In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the size and complexity of data collected in industry, academia and government. This “data deluge” has had wide-ranging effects throughout society and has given rise to the new field of data science, of which statistics is a core component. The International Master’s program offered by the Department of Statistics equips students with the skills required to design quantitative studies and to analyze and draw meaningful conclusions from data. The program is geared toward students from universities and colleges in Israel and abroad who have a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics or a related field such as Mathematics, Computer Science or Engineering. All courses are taught in English.
Students completing the program are awarded a Master of Science degree with a Certificate in Data Science.
The head of the program is Prof. Ori Davidov <davidov@stat.haifa.ac.il>.
Admissions criteria
A minimum average grade of 80 in undergraduate studies is required. Candidates who are not native speakers of English, and who have not previously studied at an institution of higher education where the language of instruction is English, must submit official TOEFL scores or equivalent. The minimum TOEFL score required for admission is: 570 on the paper-based test, 230 on the computer-based test or 89 on the internet-based test.
Program of study
The M.Sc. in Statistics is offered with or without a thesis.
The non-thesis track consists of 40 course units, detailed below. It can be completed on a full-time basis within 12 months (4 courses in each of the fall and spring semesters, and the consulting project during the summer semester), or on a part-time basis over approximately two years. The overall grade is based on coursework (80%) and the consulting project (20%). Overseas students ordinarily complete the program in one academic year.
The thesis track consists of 36 course units (the fall and spring courses listed below). It can be completed on a full-time basis over approximately two years, or on a part-time basis over approximately three years. The overall grade is based on coursework (50%) and the thesis (50%).
Courses
Fall semester
| Course title | Units |
| Probability | 5 |
| Statistical Models for Data Science | 5 |
| Optimization for Data Science | 4 |
| Stochastic Processes and Simulation | 4 |
Spring semester
| Course title | Units |
| Statistical Inference | 5 |
| Deep Learning | 5 |
| Statistical Learning Theory | 4 |
| High Dimensional Statistics | 4 |
Under exceptional circumstances, up to two alternative courses in statistics or related fields may be substituted for courses listed above, with permission of the head of the program.
Summer semester
Final Project: Data Science Practicum (4 units, for students in the non-thesis track)
To apply, and for further information
Overseas students should apply via the University of Haifa International School: visit this website or contact the admissions office at infograd@univ.haifa.ac.il.
Israeli students should apply through the Department of Statistics by contacting Ms. Hana Abraham at student@stat.haifa.ac.il.
The University of Haifa International School’s blog is a good source of general information about graduate life at the university.