University of Wisconsin Data Science Degree

UW Data Science Grad Takes On Leadership Role at Microsoft, Co-Authors New Book

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Whether it was publishing a book on machine learning or becoming a director at one of the world’s leading tech companies, the past year has been a busy one for Austin Hagerty. He credits much of his success to what he learned in the 100 percent online University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) program.

“I would not be in the position I am if I had not gone through that program and had that foundational knowledge and practitioner knowledge,” he said. 

But getting there wasn’t simple. Austin’s path to success resembled a winding road more than a straight line.

From Programming and Art History to Project Delivery

Before he was a published author and Director of Data and AI at Microsoft, Austin’s interests led him to several experiences in and outside the tech industry. 

During the 1980s, Austin’s father worked in engineering at the onset of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Influenced by his father’s career and the many computers within his childhood home, Austin began programming at an early age. 

He carried that passion for programming with him throughout high school and into college, where he pursued an undergraduate degree in physics at UW-Milwaukee. Austin grew to love the humanities courses he was required to take for his degree and saw a new opportunity to apply his background to an entirely different field.

“I actually switched to an art history major with a focus on leveraging data and statistics,” Austin said. “Because so much of [art history] was subjective at the time, I was very interested in taking a more empirical, data-driven approach. Having been so focused on technology in my younger years, it was incredibly rewarding to focus on the humanities.”

Austin graduated from UW-Milwaukee and later attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for a post-baccalaureate in art history to dive deeper into the field and explore a potential career change.

“I didn’t want to be 70 or 80 years old and say, well, I stayed in tech and never explored that other potential path in life,” he said. 

Although Austin appreciated his time at UCLA, he ultimately decided a career in art history wasn’t for him. With many of the art pieces he was studying being variations and copies of original work or stolen without context, the amount of data that could be analyzed in the field at the time was insufficient to drive meaningful insights. 

Austin pivoted his focus back to the tech industry after college, working in project delivery as a project manager, program manager, and eventually portfolio manager. In those roles, he learned how to run a business and lead engineering efforts while still keeping his technical skills intact. 

He then had an opportunity to lead a workforce analytics team at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee, which allowed Austin’s background and interests to converge. Shortly after starting this new position, he enrolled in the UW Data Science program to expand his data science knowledge and grow as a leader.

An Online Data Science Degree Program with Value

As Austin researched graduate-level data science programs, the Wisconsin native compared other universities and their tuition costs to the UW Data Science program.

“Many were incredibly expensive,” he said. “And for an online program, it didn’t make sense to invest $60,000 or $70,000 just to have the university name. Instead, I prioritized quality and program value. Reputation was also important, and UW has a fantastic reputation.”

The course list was another factor that stood out to Austin, as the UW program included diverse course offerings like DS 760: Ethics of Data Science.

“Having a class on ethics was perfect, because that’s a constant discussion item when you’re doing any workforce analytics problem,” Austin said. “You have to continually ensure that the analysis you are doing is fair and ethical.” 

Other highlights of the program for Austin included taking courses on data visualization and analysis, data warehousing, and strategic decision making. 

Austin with his daughterBecause the UW Data Science program is 100 percent online, Austin benefited from a flexible learning environment where he could complete coursework anytime, anywhere. The online learning format was especially helpful when major life events took place, like when his family moved to a new city.

Although he graduated from the program with a 4.0 GPA, Austin’s experience did not come without some initial challenges. Since he had not taken a college course in many years, part of the learning curve was simply getting back into the rhythm of being a student.

“Learning how to learn is in many ways more important than just rote memorization of facts and course materials,” he said.

Fortunately, faculty were engaged and eager to provide support when Austin had questions or feedback. He also received help from Senior Success Coach Michael Paul and Dr. Jeff Baggett, the assigned student advisor from his home campus of UW-La Crosse.

Austin found a sense of community in the program. He enjoyed working on group projects and meeting other students through discussion sections, which resulted in interesting networking opportunities.

“I actually ran into [a former classmate] a couple of years later on the job,” he said. “And we just happened to recognize each other’s names, living in Texas, of all places. A big part of grad school is who you meet, the connections you make, and developing that passion and career support as you move forward.”

Austin’s determination led him to complete the program in two years, a rapid pace for students working full-time.

RELATED: Take a Look at a UW Data Science Course: Foundations of Data Science

Finding Further Success in Data Science

While enrolled in the UW Data Science program, Austin immediately applied the knowledge he learned in the courses to his work as Assistant Director at Northwestern Mutual. 

“I wasn’t doing a lot of the coding myself, but [I learned how] I could guide the team and step in where they didn’t have skills,” he said. “It helped me be a better leader.”

Austin credits the skills he acquired from the UW Data Science program for the career growth that followed. He used the knowledge and experience gained to help organizations build and grow data science functions and realize the value of data. His latest endeavor as Director of Data and AI at Microsoft opens new doors to driving impact. 

“It is a great way to expand [my] knowledge, to help [Microsoft] deliver value for customers through data science, and it’s in a field that is growing and booming,” he said. “There’s a lot that I’ve learned over the years too that I’m able to apply [to this role] because of the UW program.” 

RELATED: Data Science Webinar Highlights the Current Job Market and Future of the Field

Writing the Next Chapter

The UW Data Science program has helped elevate Austin’s career in more ways than one.

“Each step of the way, the program has benefited me,” he said. “I’ve been able to be an effective data science leader because I can understand the concepts and speak the language.”

This includes written language as well—two months after accepting his position at Microsoft, Austin published Introducing HR Analytics with Machine Learning: Empowering Practitioners, Psychologists, and Organizations. What started as his capstone project in the program turned into a full-fledged book when Austin formed a networking connection with Christopher Rosett at an analytics conference. 

Rosett was impressed by Austin’s R programming language presentation at the conference and asked if Austin was interested in co-authoring a book with him.

“I wouldn’t have been able to write that book without the knowledge I gained in the UW program,” Austin said. 

If Austin’s story is any indication, there are several ways to achieve success in the field of data science. His advice to prospective students? Focus on mastering the core elements and understand how to find and leverage new information. Students should also keep an open mind and have a desire to learn.

“There’s a lot of different paths you could take with a program like this,” he said. “And from a career perspective, stay curious. Stay intellectually hungry. Keep learning. This is not a static field.”

Want to learn more about the UW Master of Science in Data Science? Talk with an enrollment adviser by emailing learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu or calling 608-800-6762.

Data Science Webinar Highlights the Current Job Market and Future of the Field

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The University of Wisconsin Data Science program hosted a career webinar breaking down the future of the field. The discussion, which was facilitated by UW Data Science Academic Program Manager, Jennifer Cox, and Senior Success Coach, Michael Paul, examined the current job market and career outlook for the data science industry. 

The panel featured experts representing different areas of data science, all of whom were either UW Data Science graduates or Advisory Board members for the program:

The four panelists shared career knowledge on a wide range of topics, including what skills you need to succeed in the field and the importance of companies cultivating an inclusive workplace. 

What Employers Expect From Today’s Data Science Professionals

To work in the data science industry, possessing business knowledge is just as important as having a strong understanding of programming languages and visualization tools. With soft skills like strong communication and collaboration, data scientists can clearly and effectively explain projects to other departments in their organization.

“As a data scientist, being able to straddle that line between business and IT is expected,”  Ferrier said. “That’s why communication is so key, because you have to live in two worlds.”

Companies are searching for workers who can bring best practices to the current business through real-time analytics and personalization. In fields such as consulting and manufacturing, Ferrier said there has been a sudden rise in companies seeing the value in advanced analytics.

“There are tons of jobs out there for the jack of all trades, the generalist who can go end-to-end on a full project,” he said. 

The industry is also beginning to see a specialization of roles in larger companies. Wells predicts a job market where teams consist of “unicorn” employees, or workers who are hard to find but have unique and specialized skills that can greatly improve an organization.

“Instead of expecting the world out of one person, companies are starting to recognize that it does behoove them to specialize across their roles and build unicorn teams instead of that magical single unicorn,” she said. 

Creating An Inclusive Workplace for a Better Tomorrow

The panel also discussed the importance of diversity and equity in the workplace. Many companies have made an effort toward inclusivity to ensure everyone has a voice. 

Wittmann said American Family Insurance in particular has an Inclusive Excellence department, along with employee resource groups to support women in technology, different ethnicities, and veterans.

“The more diverse your teams are, the stronger the teams will be because you have different perspectives and ways of looking at things,” Wittmann said. 

Companies like Trane Technologies have begun to implement anonymous hiring by removing candidates’ names from their applications. This allows hiring managers to make decisions based on an applicant’s skills while avoiding gender bias and other forms of hiring discrimination. 

Remote positions have also created more job opportunities for graduates and working professionals across the country. In the case of Oshkosh Corporation, Ferrier said the company hired remote workers in Arizona who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to join the Wisconsin-based organization. The company has promoted tuition assistance as well for workers in other departments who want to acquire the core knowledge necessary for a data scientist role.

Group Of Businesspeople Examining Graph On Computer

Getting Your Foot in the Door

The job market for data science has become an employee’s market in recent years, which makes the career outlook for the field a promising one. 

For people looking to transition into the field or are searching for their first job after graduation, a solid résumé and proper networking can go a long way to set you apart from other applicants. The panel suggested using online job boards such as LinkedIn, which is how Challoner found her current job at Fox Valley Technical College.

“Because of my background, résumé, and data science degree, my inbox blew up,” she said.

The panel recommended broadening your search when looking for data science openings, since job titles can vary from company to company. 

“Organizations use many different terms,” Wittmann said. “You may not necessarily see the words ‘data science.’ They may be looking for some type of data engineer or whatnot.”

When searching for jobs, shadowing other employees within your organization or reaching out to a company’s hiring manager for an informational interview can help you find the right fit.

“How [hiring managers] describe what they want from their employee versus what they put in a job description are often very different things,” Wells said.

Creating an online portfolio is another option to demonstrate your data science knowledge and skill set. With the UW Data Science program, students can tailor their final capstone project to showcase a collection of work with potential employers. 

Furthering Your Career With a Data Science Degree

The emergence of online degree programs has given a wider range of students more access to an education. This includes Ferrier’s wife, who went back to school online while she was raising their children as a stay-at-home mother. 

“I find that a lot with our data science students,” Cox said. “They’re working a job or several jobs, have kids, and are fitting this in with their regular life.”

With the field of data science constantly evolving, the panel stressed the value of being a lifelong learner. 

“Getting that data literacy can help you in any career, not just one that is a traditional data science career path,” Challoner said.

While online courses on LinkedIn Learning and Coursera are useful for supplemental learning, a master’s degree program will allow you to establish credibility and fully develop the technical skills needed in data science. The 100 percent online UW Master of Science in Data Science is a suitable option for those looking to advance their careers while having the flexibility to support any lifestyle. 

Want to learn more about the UW Data Science program? Talk with an enrollment adviser by emailing learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu or calling 608-800-6762.

The full webinar is available below:

About the Panel

Missy Wittmann | Data Solution Engineer at American Family Insurance

Data science webinar panelist Missy WittmannOver the past 36 years, Missy has worked several positions within the data space at American Family. Her passion for data led her to the Wisconsin Data Management Association (DAMA), where she was elected president and held board positions at the international level. Missy joined the UW Data Science Advisory Board to discuss the needs of the industry and ensure the program is aligned with the workforce. 

 

 

Brent Ferrier | Principal Data Scientist at Oshkosh Corporation

Data science webinar panelist Brent FerrierA graduate of the UW Data Science program as well as an Advisory Board member, Brent is responsible for the strategy and implementation of data science initiatives at the Oshkosh Defense business unit at Oshkosh Corporation. A lifelong learner, Brent also has an MS in Cybersecurity from Georgia Tech and an MBA from UW-Parkside. His educational background in supply chain management and data regulations has further complemented his data science career.

 

Rebecca Wells | Data and Analytics Catalyst at Trane Technologies

Data science webinar panelist Rebecca WellsRebecca develops the data and analytics vision at Trane Technologies, where she has worked for 20 years. This includes how the organization is structured as well as the process of turning analytics into data science. A graduate of the UW Data Science program, Rebecca was drawn to the field after developing an interest in visualization storytelling. She has since been able to combine her statistics and programming skills with her pre-existing business background.

 

Carolyn Challoner | Information Technology Instructor at Fox Valley Technical College

Data science webinar panelist Carolyn ChallonerA 2018 graduate of the Data Science program, Carolyn is working to train the next generation of data scientists in Fox Valley Tech’s newly formed Data Specialist degree program. She has previously worked at IT and global marketing jobs throughout the Fox Valley region of Wisconsin, including Plexus, Miller Electric, and Kimberly-Clark. 

 

 

Michael Paul | Senior Success Coach at UW Extended Campus

Michael PaulMichael has supported UW Data Science students since 2013, with a career in higher education spanning 15 years. As a success coach, Michael helps students improve their connectedness to the program, their home campus, and online resources.

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Cox | Academic Program Manager at UW Extended Campus

Jennifer CoxJennifer has worked in research, project management, and information science at the University of Wisconsin System since 2007. She became the Academic Program Manager for the UW Data Science program after completing the MS in Data Science degree program in 2018. Jennifer’s greatest data science interest relates to the use of data in business strategy and decision making.

UW Data Science Student Works Toward Master’s Degree to Expand His Future Career

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Although he has already earned two bachelor’s degrees—one in English and the other in information science and technology (IST)—Tim Drexler isn’t done yet. As a student in the 100 percent online University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Data Science (UW MSDS) program, Tim hopes to gain more programming and Big Data experience in order to take the next step in his career.

When he first graduated from UW-Madison with his English degree, Tim transitioned from a part-time role to a full-time one at South Central Library System, working in its delivery service. Over the past 20 years, Tim has moved up from delivery driver to delivery operations support manager.

“My job responsibilities have changed in many ways,” Tim said. “Three times a year, we complete a data sampling of our delivery volume. I am now responsible for collecting the data and putting it together in analysis spreadsheets. Working on these projects made me seriously think about how data science is something I would be good at.”

Tim’s untraditional entrance into the data science world continues to push him out of his comfort zone. On LinkedIn, he describes himself as a “systems-level analytical thinker and lifelong learner.”

In 2015, Tim began looking for a degree that would prepare him for a more technology-focused career, and he knew an online program would work best for his busy schedule. He considered Madison Area Technical College, but it offered programs with in-person class requirements that didn’t fit into his life. However, University of Wisconsin Flexible Option caught his eye, especially its 100 percent online IST degree. It felt like an attainable next step that worked with Tim’s goals and around his work/life schedule.

It took Tim only 13 months to graduate from the UW Flexible Option IST program with a UW-Milwaukee bachelor’s degree—a milestone that motivated him to consider pursuing a master’s degree in data science.

“UW Flexible Option was really good preparation for online learning in general,” Tim said. “I had experience within the learning system, and I knew how to motivate myself and manage my time, which are skills I continue to use in UW MSDS.”

RELATED: UW Flexible Option’s First Applicant Graduates with Information Science and Technology Degree

A Program Where Passion and Learning Converge

Every course in the UW MSDS program has been a huge learning opportunity for Tim. So much so, that he finds it difficult to choose just one as his favorite. From data mining and machine learning, to data warehousing and statistical methods, the UW MSDS curriculum touches on all aspects of a data science career.

“The courses are definitely a lot of work,” Tim said. “But I feel like I’m getting so much out of them.”

Tim’s favorite project in the program so far has been part of DS 740: Data Mining. Students use a dataset of their choice from Kaggle—an online source for datasets and programming/data analysis challenges—and analyze it by using methods covered in the course. The project allows students the freedom to find a dataset that piques their personal interests. Tim found a dataset from the Kepler Space Telescope that connected to his astronomy and physics curiosities.

“I put that dataset through a machine learning analysis process and then built algorithms that identified stars with potential planetary bodies orbiting them,” Tim said. “It was really interesting to be able to use real-world, scientific data to sharpen my skills.”

In fall 2019, Tim completed DS 745: Visualization and Unstructured Data Analysis, which directly related to his data collecting responsibilities at work. He said formatting the data is a continuous challenge, especially when it comes to communicating what the data represents.

“The data visualization course focused on summarizing and presenting data for non-technical people,” Tim said. “Now, I can go to my boss with a data plot or chart that illustrates how our delivery volume varies by weeks, months, and years. Then, I can work on an informative analysis that leads to meaningful action.”

RELATED: UW Data Science Professor Motivates Students to Look at Data Through Personal Lens

Supported for Success

Former UW Flexible Option Success Coach, Danielle Stertz

Tim’s transition from earning his IST degree through UW Flexible Option to enrolling into the online UW Master of Science in Data Science program, demonstrates the high-quality and continuity of service that UW Flexible Option and UW Extended Campus coaches and advisers offer. Tim is the first to vouch for the support he has received through both programs.

“I can definitely say that I wouldn’t have made it through the UW Flexible Option without (former Success Coach) Danielle Stertz’s help,” Tim said. “She was a great advocate and was always there to answer questions. I had some tough moments in that program, and I wouldn’t have pulled through without her support.

“When I’ve contacted (Senior Success Coach) Michael Paul for the UW MSDS program, it’s the same kind of situation. He’s always answering questions and getting back to students right away. It’s pretty amazing—the work that they do, especially to support people from a distance.”

UW Data Science Senior Success Coach, Michael Paul

Along with the support he receives, Tim also provides support to peers in his courses. A handful of students have noticed that Tim steps up to the plate within online class discussion boards and helps answer questions where and when he can.

To Tim, he sees this as a way of putting himself in others’ shoes.

“I don’t necessarily have expertise per se, but if there’s something I can answer right away, then I don’t mind giving it a shot,” Tim said. “I try to look at it as if I had a question that I posted. I would want it answered sooner rather than later, even if it wasn’t quite right, just to spark my thinking process. It’s a way for me to help others—and myself—to get unstuck.”

Ready to Take the Next Step

With more than half of the UW MSDS program’s courses complete, Tim is optimistic that he is becoming well-prepared to move into an entry-level role as a data analyst or similar position. He views earning his master’s degree as a major step in his career and one that he is eager to see through.

“I’m coming from a field where I have no real technical background, and I’ve been fortunate to have completed a lot of classes with other students with database administration and other data science experience,” Tim said. “I’m learning a lot just from interacting with them and understanding all the ways I can specialize in different industries.”

For Tim, the flexibility, affordability, curricula, and support within the UW Flexible Option IST and UW Data Science programs made his choice to go back to school while working full-time possible. Furthermore, Tim embodies the Wisconsin Idea—investing in himself to advance his skills in order to impact his future, improve processes at his work, and to connect with the greater community.

When asked for his parting advice to prospective students, Tim is honest about his pacing throughout both programs:

“It’s important to try to plan your class schedule so you don’t overload yourself too much in any one semester,” Tim said. “One thing I was worried about right away was having too much to do. So, I started the program with a smaller course load to get my feet wet. Do what makes the most sense for your strengths and life. And know that you have support along the way to keep you going.”

Tim has since graduated from the UW Data Science program and is now a data services consultant at South Central Library System. 

What’s Next?

Start exploring how the UW Master of Science in Data Science online degree program can push you to new career heights. Have questions about the courses, tuition, or how to apply? Talk with an enrollment adviser by emailing learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu or calling 608-800-6762.

UW Master of Science in Data Science is a collaboration of several UW System campuses. Tim earned his degree from UW-Oshkosh.

6 Questions to Ask Before Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Data Science

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Face it, you’ve been on the fence about going back to school for a while now. After Googling master’s degree programs in data science here and there, you still feel overwhelmed about deciding if one is better than another. When there’s countless sources of information tugging you in every direction, it’s best to gather your bearings and figure out the most important details you need in order to guide you in the right direction.

Luckily, we’ve done the legwork. Below are the six most important questions to ask before you begin your application to a data science master’s degree program. Think of this as a mental checklist to help you cross off crucial considerations before taking on your educational future:

1. Do I have an interest in or want to strengthen my problem solving, data management, and research skills?

When you have an interest in data science practices and want to grow your hard and soft skills, enrolling in a data science master’s degree program is a promising endeavor. In fact, 2022 Lightcast research shows that data analysis and programming languages are frequently listed in data science job postings, while management, problem solving, and communications round out the preferred soft skills:

A chart showing the top specialized skills seen in data scientist job postings.

A chart showing the top common skills seen in data scientist job postings.

Employers want data science master’s degree graduates to be well-rounded professionals, capable of tapping into the technical side of a role while effectively understanding and communicating data to drive actionable insights. With this in mind, it’s to your advantage to find a master’s degree program that not only prioritizes the hard skills of data science, but also the soft skills. When researching program curricula, look for courses such as DS 735: Communicating About Data, DS 760: Ethics of Data Science, and DS 780: Data Science and Strategic Decision Making—all of which expand on skills that are not only needed, but also demanded in today’s data science roles.

2. What are my career goals?

Venmathi Shanmugam, UW Data Science graduate

If you’re looking to be part of a dynamic team in charge of solving real-world problems, or if you want to efficiently draw conclusions from data to better inform actionable business strategies, a master’s degree in data science can set those career goals in motion.

Whether you strive to be a data analyst, database administrator, data architect, strategic business and technology intelligence consultant, or another data-focused professional, the impact of your work can be substantial. For example, Venmathi Shanmugam, a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Data Science online program, is the Modeling and Simulations Engineer at the Veterans Affairs office in Austin, Texas. In her role, she manages large amounts of government data pertaining to veterans healthcare and finance. She also holds responsibilities in the supply chain division of her department—using data to positively impact patient needs.

3. Who teaches the data science curriculum?

When enrolling in a graduate school program, you want to feel confident that you are learning from qualified experts in your desired field. A strong data science master’s program is rooted in an interdisciplinary approach, not siloed off to one academic school or department. Diversity in faculty expertise and perspectives is a critical component to consider before applying to a program. Don’t hesitate to research potential faculty members’ background, education, and recently published research studies.

UW Data Science faculty members

The UW Data Science online program is a prime example of an interdisciplinary approach in action, where students learn from faculty members across six UW System campuses. With advanced degrees in mathematics, marketing, computer science, philosophy, management, statistics, and rhetoric and computer composition, graduate students receive the direct benefits of working and learning alongside UW faculty who are driven to grow and advance from every corner of the data science profession.

4. Does the degree program provide a networking community fueled by collaboration?

It’s important to consider how a data science master’s degree program sets you up to connect with industry leaders during your time as a student and after you graduate. Look for programs that feature an advisory board of data science professionals across business sectors. This collaboration of individuals shows that the program is supported by outside experts who can help you connect with future employers and/or mentors.

The UW Data Science online program boasts an impressive advisory board, where recognized data science leaders have the opportunity to shape the program. UW Data Science Advisory Board members can also sponsor capstone projects, plugging students into real-world data science settings where they draw upon their skills and grow from hands-on experiences. Currently, the UW Data Science Advisory Board includes data science professionals in the retail, banking, software programming, manufacturing, state government, insurance, transportation, staffing, and medical fields.

5. Do I have the time to earn a graduate degree?

For some working adults, it is too time consuming to earn a master’s degree through an on-campus program. Traveling to and from a campus throughout the week to sit in on hour-long lectures can complicate the balancing act of work and family responsibilities.

data science

If this is your reality, then pursuing an online graduate degree might be your best option. But, not all online degrees are the same. Make sure to thoroughly research an online degree’s requirements and consider how much flexibility you will need when it comes to lectures, readings, and coursework. 

UW Data Science is a smart choice for busy adults who want to advance their careers, or make a career change. Offered 100 percent online, you can study and complete coursework whenever and wherever you have an internet connection. Courses have no set meeting times, and you never need to come to campus.

6. Is the program accredited and respected?

When deciding to pursue a master’s in data science, you want to be sure that future employers will value the degree-granting institution you’ll graduate from. There’s no question that you can earn a graduate-level education from almost anywhere in the country and world, so how do you know which programs are worth your time and money? Look for degree programs that are accredited by regional and national accreditors, such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 

According to the HLC website, in order to be accredited an educational institution must 1.) have a clear and publicly articulated mission, 2.) conduct actions responsibly, ethically, and with integrity, 3.) provide high-quality education, no matter where and how offerings are delivered, 4.) evaluate its student learning effectiveness and promote continuous improvement, and 5.) have resources, structures, and procedures that support the institution’s mission. 

The UW Data Science program is HLC accredited, signifying that its students receive a high-quality education led by faculty who are committed to staying up-to-date with the expanding data science field. Plus, UW is known and respected worldwide, helping graduates of the UW Data Science program stand out to employers. As a trusted and valued institution, a UW degree can help graduates accomplish their career and personal goals.

So, you’ve gone through all six questions, what have you found?

With an expert-led curriculum, a 100 percent online format, and a recognized and respected UW degree, now is the time to see where the UW Master of Science in Data Science online program can take you.

Have questions about courses, tuition, or how to apply? Talk with an enrollment adviser by emailing learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu or calling 608-800-6762.

UW Graduate Focuses Capstone On Improving Pneumonia Detection

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Years ago, if you asked Lucas Newkirk about pursuing a graduate-level data science degree, the idea wouldn’t have been on his radar. From college athlete to detecting pneumonia in chest radiographs, Lucas’ educational and career journey took a few turns in order to get to where he is today: A December 2018 graduate of the online University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Data Science program. The following is Lucas’ story of finding his way into the data science field.

After high school, Lucas’ dream was to play football at UW-La Crosse. However, after suffering an injury, he switched gears to focus on his education, transferring to UW-Madison his junior year and changing his major to business management and applied economics.

Lucas dove into programming and model building, which led to his first job as a forecasting analyst with Assurant, a small health insurance agency. Seven months into the job, he found himself looking for another after the company went out of business. Luckily, it wasn’t long before he landed a compliance analyst position at GE Healthcare.

“When I got to GE, I felt I couldn’t advance my day-to-day work to a more senior role if I didn’t pursue another degree,” Lucas said. “I remember back when I worked at Assurant I had looked up data science programs in Wisconsin and the UW Master of Science in Data Science online program caught my eye.”

One of the biggest barriers in taking the next step in his education was affordability. About a year into his role at GE, Lucas learned that his employer provided tuition reimbursement, and Lucas knew exactly where to enroll.

A Data Science and Healthcare Inspired Capstone

Motivated by his drive to earn a data science degree and to advance in his role at GE, Lucas decided to focus on a healthcare industry need for his capstone project. His final capstone paper was “Classification of Pneumonia X-rays Using Mask R-CNN and Transfer Learning.” In layperson’s terms, Lucas programmed a virtual machine on Google Cloud to increase the efficiency and accuracy of pneumonia detections in chest radiographs.

“I wanted to complete a capstone project focused on healthcare because I figured having the experience in my portfolio would help qualify me when pursuing a higher-level healthcare job,” Lucas said. “This was the first time I ever took a crack at deep learning, and now I know I want to keep studying it because I have the tools to do so.”

Lucas credits the capstone project idea to a competition hosted on Kaggle, an online community comprised of machine learners and data scientists who set out to create data sets and build models for data science-related challenges. Proposed by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the original RSNA Pneumonia Detection Challenge on Kaggle asked participants to “build an algorithm to detect a visual signal for pneumonia in medical images. Specifically, your algorithm needs to automatically locate lung opacities on chest radiographs.”

The Kaggle challenge further states that the current approach to detecting pneumonia relies on highly trained specialists who are faced with reading large volumes of images, which often complicates efficiency and diagnostic accuracy. Internationally, pneumonia is among the top five leading causes of death for children under the age of 5 years old. The obvious need in the healthcare community, paired with the challenge of flexing his data science skills, inspired Lucas to use the Kaggle competition as the basis for his capstone.

Finding Success Through Data Science Skills

“I really just wanted to get this one small win in my book and keep going with it,” Lucas said about his capstone. “At the end of the project, I didn’t have winning results, but I did end up getting pneumonia predictions in the 80-percent range.”

Lucas knew he didn’t have much of a chance to compete as a one-man team against big companies in the Kaggle competition. Realistically, his main goal was to figure out how to program the virtual machine with a working algorithm that led to positive pneumonia detection results.

The biggest success for Lucas was getting his virtual computer model to train to his algorithm. Figuring out the coding and using a variety of installation packages pushed his problem solving skills to new heights. Relying on a paper published by Facebook AI titled “Mask R-CNN”, Lucas learned how to segment images, teaching his virtual machine to identify objects in chest radiographs through focused outlining. This outlining method steered away from the traditional use of bounding boxes that simply draw a square around an area of interest. The outlining algorithm provided a more vivid and accurate detection of hazy sections that could be diagnosed as pneumonia.

Lucas with Dr. Jeffrey Baggett at graduation in December 2018.

Using the data science skills that he learned in the UW Master of Science in Data Science curriculum helped Lucas navigate through the roadblocks and challenges of his capstone. Lucas credits the DS 700: Foundations of Data Science course for teaching him how to investigate, analyze, and complete complex data science class projects. DS 710: Programming for Data Science gave him the coding skills to get started and inspired him to continue learning Python, which turned out to be the language he used for his capstone. DS 745: Visualization and Unstructured Data Analysis helped Lucas learn critical presentation skills to display data in a graphical way, which he applied to the charts and data featured in his capstone.

The Benefits of an UW Online Degree Program

Flexibility in class schedule and assignments was a must for Lucas. He couldn’t travel outside of Milwaukee because of his work commitments, and he didn’t want his contribution at GE to suffer from being spread too thin. The UW Master of Science in Data Science online program afforded Lucas to work at his own pace and provided access to professors and faculty members outside of typical 9-to-5 work hours.

“One concern I had when starting the degree program was how much communication I would have with the professors and faculty members,” Lucas said. “I figured online degree programs would be less involved, or the instructors would be less available, but it actually turned out to be the opposite.”

Lucas admits he worried that online class sizes would be infinite, since anyone could log onto a computer at anytime. However, his classes were not too large to manage, because UW Extended Campus tracks average enrollments per course section and caps enrollments for any course at 30 students. When needed, additional sections are available for courses that exceed the 30 student maximum, ensuring access to all students while maintaining an optimal learning outcome. Students participate in projects and discussions in smaller groups within each course section. Online student resource lounges also help students stay engaged through peer interaction.

“I still talk to one of my class partners I had in my DS 735: Communicating About Data course,” Lucas said. “I was ahead of him in the program, and we message each other to see how we each are doing, or he asks me what he should expect in certain classes.”

From Capstone to Career and Beyond

With the capstone project and a UW Master of Science in Data Science degree added to his résumé, Lucas is excited to dive into another Kaggle competition, continue to collaborate with colleagues and other data science peers, and to focus on using his experience in the degree program to hone his skills.

At GE, colleagues outside of Lucas’ department have noticed and now rely on his data science capabilities. “At work, I just competed in a coding competition with a goal to simplify sales processes,” Lucas said. “I was the only person from the compliance department in the group, and I ended up taking second place. It radiates throughout the company when people know you have skills that can help streamline their workflows.”

For individuals considering how a data science degree can help them with their career aspirations, Lucas is quick to encourage them that now is a great time to dive in. If he had known the experiences he’d gain and skills he’d acquire in the UW Master of Science in Data Science online degree program, he would have enrolled sooner.

“Data science is ever-evolving and it’s never going to get simpler,” Lucas said. “You want to jump in now. I have no regrets that I jumped, and now I am looking forward to where this degree continues to take me.”

What’s Next?

Start exploring how the UW Master of Science in Data Science online degree program can push you to new career heights. Have questions about the courses, tuition, or how to apply? Talk with an enrollment adviser by emailing learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu or calling 608-800-6762.

UW Master of Science in Data Science is a collaboration of UW System campuses. Lucas earned his degree from UW-La Crosse.

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