Data is everywhere. It’s in the digital information we generate and consume daily, from scrolling on social media to navigating with a GPS. Data scientists work with massive amounts of data to extract meaningful insights.
Have you ever wondered where a master’s degree in Computational Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CoBB) will take you? Read on to learn more about the data science profession.
What is data science?
The U.S. Census Bureau defines data science as “a field of study that uses scientific methods, processes, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data.” Data scientists build complex algorithms to organize and synthesize large amounts of information. The insights gleaned from this process are crucial for driving strategy decisions in organizations.
What jobs are available in this field?
Data scientists work in a wide array of sectors, including technology, health care, financial services and retail. They make also be employed in other sectors, such as government, insurance, manufacturing and energy. Data scientists are needed to analyze large datasets across many industries.
Possible job titles include:
- Data scientist
- Data analyst
- Database administrator
- Data engineer
- Statistical analyst
What is the salary and career outlook?
Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 34% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The average projected job growth rate for all occupations in the United States is approximately 4% to 5.2%. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be 23,400 openings for data scientists each year over the decade.
The median annual wage for data scientists was $112,590 in May 2024.
What skills are needed to succeed?
The following skills are important for data scientists to perform their duties effectively:
- Computer skills (writing code, analyzing data and developing algorithms)
- Math skills (using statistical methods to collect and organize data)
- Problem-solving skills (developing solutions to problems in data collection)
- Analytical skills (researching, examining and interpreting findings)
- Communication skills (conveying complex results to clients)
All of these essential skills are developed and strengthened through the Computational Biomedicine and Biotechnology master’s program.
How do I become a data scientist?
Data scientists typically need a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, computer science or a related field to enter the profession. However, some companies may prefer candidates that have a master’s or doctoral degree.
Ready to take the next step in your career?
The Computational Biomedicine and Biotechnology master’s degree program at Pitt equips students with the skillset needed to land a career in data science. With hands-on courses that teach students how to code and think critically, the program helps candidates stand out in their job search. Apply today.