1. Introduction

The Master in Data Science (MDS) program at Tribhuvan University (TU) is a full-time academic course conducted by the School of Mathematical Sciences (SMS). This program is designed to equip students with strong core skills in areas such as:

• Programming

• Statistics

• Data Analytics

• Machine Learning

• Data Wrangling

• Data Visualization

• Communication

• Business Foundations

• Ethics

These skills make graduates highly competitive in industries, multinational companies, and academic sectors.

2. Objectives

The MDS is a multidisciplinary program and the first of its kind under TU’s Institute of Science and Technology. Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Collect, clean, store, and query data from public and private sources.

• Understand and assess decision-making needs in business or research.

• Apply analytical techniques to generate actionable estimates and insights.

• Communicate findings effectively through written, oral, and visual means.

3. Duration and Nature of Course

• Program Duration: 2 Years (4 Semesters)

• Total Credits: 60

• Nature of Courses: Theory, Practical, Seminar, Project Work, Internship, Thesis

This program includes core foundational courses in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, and IT, along with elective subjects. Electives may change each year depending on the decisions of the subject committee. A multi-exit model is also adopted.

4. Evaluation System

• Internal Evaluation: 40%

• External (Final Exam): 60%

Internal Evaluation Includes:

• Attendance

• Assignments

• Oral Tests

• Class Tests

• Presentations

• Seminars

• Project Work

• Term Exams

Thesis or Project Evaluation:

• Supervised research/project monitoring

• Pre-viva by the School

• Final evaluation by the Research Committee (approved by supervisor and external examiner)

5. Course Structure

Overall Course Distribution by Semester

First Semester

Compulsory Courses:

Elective (Choose Any One):

Second Semester

Compulsory Courses:

Elective (Choose Any One):

Third Semester

Compulsory Courses:

Elective (Choose Any Two):

Fourth Semester

Compulsory Courses:

Elective (Choose Any Two):

6. Eligibility

To apply for the MDS program, the applicant must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Completed 15 years of formal education (12 years of school + 3 years Bachelor’s).

• Must have secured at least:

  • CGPA of 2.0, or

  • Second Division, or

  • 45% marks in Bachelor's level.

Eligible Academic Backgrounds:

Applicants from the following streams (or equivalent) are eligible:

• B.Sc. CSIT

• B. Math Sc

• B.Sc. in Mathematics

• B.Sc. in Statistics

• B.Sc./BA with Mathematics or Statistics in the first 2 years

• BE (Bachelor of Engineering)

• BIT

• BCA

• BIM (with one Mathematics and one Statistics course)

7. Career Prospects in Data Science

Data Scientists are problem-solvers with both technical and creative skills. They:

• Gather and clean data from various sources

• Analyze and visualize data to extract meaningful insights

• Help organizations make better decisions based on data

• Present complex findings in understandable formats

• Bridge the gap between data and business strategies

Data scientists are now essential across all sectors, helping turn big data into big decisions driving commercial innovations and contributing to societal transformations.