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Presentation of the degree program

The Master's Degree Program in "Statistics and data science" is a master-level degree program in class LM-82 Statistical Sciences. It started in the academic year 2019/20 (it is a transformation of "Statistics, Actuarial and Financial Sciences").  

ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

  • A degree (three years or more) with at least 27 credits in mathematics or statistics or computer science, with a minimum of 9 in mathematics and a minimum of 9 in statistics - the candidate should have a strong aptitude for quantitative methods and computer science 
  • A high final grade: 100 out of 110 for graduates in Italian universities, otherwise a grade in the top 20% is usually appropriate; anyway the commitee of the degree program can plan an interview to evaluate the background
  • Knowledge of Italian and English at the B2 level: the knowledge of Italian has to be certified or verified through a test delivered by the University of Florence, whereas the knowledge of English has to be certified as explained in this document (LM_SDS_Enrollmente_Language_requirements_2019)
The emphasis on data science is motivated by the excellent job opportunities for graduates with these skills and by the current research activity of the reference department to which almost all the teachers of the degree programme belong, i.e. the Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications. G. Parenti ', which obtained special funds for the five-year period 2018-22 and then again for 2023-27 as a department of excellence with a project on data science topics.
 
The change does not concern the degree class of the degree programme which remains LM-82 ("Statistical Sciences"). In addition, the curriculum in official statistics with European Master of Official Statistics certification will also be activated (subject to approval by Eurostat).

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Degree program in Statistics and data science

The world is becoming quantitative. More and more professions, from the every day to the exotic, depending on data management and reasoning. The master's degree in “Statistics and data science” is addressed to those who want to enrich their knowledge by acquiring methodological data analysis tools. Statistics plays a key role in modern societies by converting data into information to support decision-making processes. The course offers thorough professional training which prepares students for statistical careers in a variety of areas encompassing medicine, demography, environment, industry, surveys, and market research. It also provides a good foundation for further study at PhD level.

The master's degree in "Statistics and data science" is a Laurea Magistrale accredited by the Italian government and belongs to the class LM-82 Statistical Sciences.

The degree course is organized by the department DiSIA - Dipartimento di Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni "G. Parenti", which obtained in 2018 a 5-year government funding as an excellent department.

Students can choose among two curricula:

- Generale
- Statistica Ufficiale - European Master of Official Statistics

Within the first year, the course offers a common core of teachings for both curricula (Calculus, Probability, Statistical inference, Statistical modelling, Computer science). The content of the second year depends on the selected curriculum, with the addition of other courses to be chosen by the student. It is also possible to carry out an internship.

As regards the General curriculum, students can select the courses among the available ones to customize their preparation. It is possible to focus on statistical methodology or to study applied statistics in the following fields:

  • Population and Society
  • Biology, Medicine and Environment
  • Actuarial sciences
  • Data science

European Master of Official Statistics (EMOS) - download the flyer

The curriculum in official statistics (EMOS) provides a preparation aimed at those wishing to operate in national and international agencies producing official statistics and, more generally, in all public or private working environments for which official statistics are a key element for understanding and decision-making. Examples in Italy include the National Statistical Institute (ISTAT), the Bank of Italy and the network of public and private entities belonging to SISTAN (statistical offices of Regions, Municipalities, etc.: www.sistan.it). Examples outside Italy include Eurostat, National Statistical Offices, Central Banks, and International agencies such as World Bank and OECD. The curriculum is designed to comply with the requirements set by Eurostat, thus it has obtained the label European Master of Official Statistics (EMOS): https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cros/content/emos_en. The EMOS certification, which is attributed to a limited number of degree programs offered by European universities, is based on selective criteria regarding various aspects: teaching capacity, course content, infrastructures, and agreements with official statistics agencies.

The first year of the EMOS curriculum is common to the General curriculum, while the second year includes the following courses (all in English): 

Longitudinal data analysis; Design and analysis of sample surveys; Methods and tools for official statistics; one optional course (among the following: Economic demography; Social network analysis; Statistical information systems: big data, open data and semantic web).

Most courses in the second year are enhanced by collaboration with ISTAT experts through lectures and seminars. The curriculum includes an internship in official statistics to be performed at ISTAT (Rome or Florence) or at the Statistical Office of the Municipality of Florence. For the curriculum "Official Statistics" the free-choice exam and the thesis should cover methods or topics relevant to official statistics.

 

Learning goals

The master's degree in “Statistics and data science” aims to prepare students with appropriate knowledge in Mathematics, Statistics and Data Management, capable of operating in various fields of application with autonomy and responsibility, entering the job market as qualified experts in quantitative analysis. The students will acquire a solid knowledge of the theory, methods and models of inductive Statistics, with the ability to make applications in economics, social sciences, demography, actuarial sciences, medicine, healthcare, and environment.  Special emphasis will be given to methods, estimation and testing of statistical models for inference, forecasting and decision-making purposes.

At the end of the degree program, students will be able to correctly frame a problem and choose the most appropriate tool of analysis, solve complex problems related to each phase of the statistical analysis, read and evaluate the metadata accompanying the data sources, translate in terms of statistics information needs arising in different fields of application, use the results of the analysis to formulate interpretative hypotheses, obtaining strategic directions, make decisions under conditions of uncertainty as well as evaluate the ethical and deontological aspects of the profession, to avoid inappropriate use of statistical information. Applied statisticians will learn to work, listen, and communicate with people from other professions to solve practical problems.

 

Career opportunities

The master's program prepares statisticians for a broad range of careers, particularly in the financial, medical, pharmaceutical and industrial sectors of the economy, but also with local and national government agencies and other areas. The master's program also provides an excellent foundation for students pursuing advanced postgraduate research in statistics.

The graduates in “Statistics and data science” can enrol for the exam for the actuary profession in Italy (Section A of the Ordine Nazionale degli Attuari). 

Last
update

06.09.2023

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