Understanding Data Science Course Eligibility

Data science is the process of using statistics, research, math, and data analysis to gain insights from data. It is an interdisciplinary area that uses massive data sets to obtain trends and knowledge to inform decisions. It may help a company analyse data to make effective judgments, assess market demand, or comprehend client needs.

The field employs analysts, data scientists, and architects, and demand is increasing. The primary reason for this is the increasing volume of data worldwide and the growth of applications like machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and deep learning (DL) in the field. 

What does a data scientist do?

A data scientist is a professional who imparts insights at various stages of data science operations. They gather, examine, and analyse large amounts of data to gain a profound understanding and provide further insights. A data scientist may have the following responsibilities:

• Acquiring data, converting it, and drawing conclusions

• Comprehending diverse data analytics procedures to understand data obtained using statistical and scientific methodologies

• Implementing an effective data-driven strategy to achieve automation, deep perspective into various processes, and managing significant business requirements

• Performing multiple data science processes like analysing, processing, segregating, and cleaning 

• Conveying all the essential information derived from the processes to stakeholders.

Data science career outlook

A Statista survey reports that roughly 92 percent of companies worldwide actively consider or implement big data/ analytics technologies [1].

The Asia Pacific region is expected to have the highest growth rate globally for data science platforms [2]. India is one of the leading hubs for data science advancements. This makes data science a desirable and valuable career option for upcoming generations. This surge in demand, therefore, has led to multiple companies offering data science courses. 

Now, let's consider India's minimum eligibility requirement for data science.

Data scientist salary

Data scientists earn an average annual base income of ₹12,17,222 in India. Depending on your experience level, educational level, and where you work, salaries range from ₹8,00,000 to ₹20,00,000, according to Glassdoor [3].

Data science course eligibility

The eligibility requirements to enter a data science course depend on the course you wish to choose. You might want to pursue a bachelor's degree, master's degree, postgraduate diploma course, or certification. Consider the following eligibility requirements for each data science course next.

Bachelor's degree

After you pass your Class 12 exams, you can typically pursue a bachelor's degree, such as a Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor in Computer Application (BCA), or Bachelor of Technology (BTech). In the area of data science, some of your options include:

• Bachelor of Data Science

• BSc Data Science

• BCA Data Science

• BTech Data Science

• BTech (Hons) Data Science and Engineering

• BSc Data Science and Applications

Data science combines mathematics, computer science, and statistics to create powerful insights. Studying technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM background) in secondary school can help you prepare for a career in data science. Learning computer programming can also help you prepare for a bachelor's course. 

Typical eligibility requirements to pursue a data science bachelor's course include one or more of the following:

• Pass 10+2 board exams or equivalent in physics, mathematics, and/or chemistry

• Minimum 50 to 60 percent marks in Class 12

• Entrance exam merit rank

Postgraduate Diploma

A postgraduate (PG) diploma course allows you to add to the education you received in your undergraduate programme without pursuing a complete master's degree. Courses are typically one to two years in length. You might follow a PG diploma to specialise in a particular area of data science or qualify for higher-level employment. Examples of postgraduate diplomas in data science include:

• PG diploma in data science

• PG diploma in data science and analytics

• PG diploma in data science and AI 

• PG diploma in programming and data science

Entrance requirements vary by programme, but to enter a postgraduate diploma programme in data science, eligibility criteria typically include one or more of the following:

• Two years of undergraduate education

• Bachelor's degree in data science or a related field

• Merit rank

Master's degree

A master's degree in data science is typically a two-year course you pursue after receiving a bachelor's degree. Master's degree programmes include a Master of Science (MSc), Master of Computer Application (MCA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Technology (MTech). Examples of data science master's courses include:

• MSc Data Science

• MBA Data Science

• MBA Data Science and Analytics

• e-Masters in Data Science and Business Analytics

• MCA Data Science

Eligibility requirements generally include one or more of the following depending on the institution you apply to:

• An undergraduate degree in a related field, such as:

  • BSc Statistics

  • BSc Mathematics

  • BSc Computer Science

  • Any BE, BTech, or BCA

  • Any other bachelor's degree with a concentration in maths or statistics

• Knowledge of programming

• Minimum 50 to 60 percent marks or equivalent grades in your undergraduate course

• Graduation from a UGC-recognised university

• Entrance exam merit rank or equivalent grades in your undergraduate course

• Two years of work experience

Doctorate Degree

You may be interested in pursuing a doctorate to enhance your knowledge of data science, such as:

• PhD in Data Science

• PhD in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

• PhD in Computer Science and Information Systems

• PhD in Computer Science and Engineering

Eligibility criteria will likely include one or more of the following:

• A master's degree, such as MTech, ME, MCA, MSc, or MPhil in:

  • ICT

  • Computer science

  • Economics

  • Information technology

  • Electrical engineering

  • Industrial design

  • Mathematics

  • Statistics

  • Physics

  • Bioinformatics

  • Electronics

  • Computer systems engineering

  • Software system engineering

  • Related field

• BE or BTech in computer science or engineering

• Minimum 55 to 65 percent marks or equivalent grades in your master's course

• Entrance exam scores or ranking 

Data science certification

Certifications are short courses you can take at any point in your career or education path. A certification course provides specialised training in a data science niche, which can help you become eligible for specific job positions or advance in your career. Certification courses typically last three to 18 months. Examples of data science certifications include:

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

• DASCA Principle Data Scientist (PDS)

• DASCA Senior Data Scientist (SDS)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate

• SAS Certified Data Scientist

Certification course eligibility is typically a secondary school diploma, although some programmes may not have prerequisites. 

Data scientist skills

Being a data scientist requires you to stay updated with the key progressions in the business world. Here are some essential skills for a data scientist:

Technical skills

• Fact-finding 

• Programming and coding skills

• Statistical modelling

• Machine learning and deep learning

• Data processing, preparing, and cleansing

Workplace skills

• Exemplary business sense

• Effective problem-solving skills

• Critical analysis abilities

• Good communication skills

• Teamwork spirit

Next steps

Students aspiring to become data scientists can enroll in various programmes to acquire the necessary skills. If you are interested in data science but are still deciding to pursue a degree, learn more about the field with Johns Hopkins University's A Crash Course in Data Science on Coursera, which you can complete entirely online in six hours. 

You can also learn more with IBM's Introduction to Data Science Specialisation, which will help you understand what it's like to work as a data scientist and gain experience using everyday data science tools.  

Suppose you are already in the field or want to enter without a degree. In that case, the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate is an online data science and analytics course that will help you gain in-demand skills within four months of devoting under 10 hours of study per week.