Data Science - Part-time Рrοgram

Testimonials

In 2016, in the second cohort, I began the part-time Data Science program at Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen and the University of Mannheim, and I have never regretted that decision. I originally came from a business background, and my connection to Data Science was only "hobby-based" and through working at a software company. However, the strong practical orientation made it incredibly easy for someone with a deep interest in the topic to succeed in the Master's program.

With excellent support, good learning infrastructure, and a very well-thought-out concept, it was also great to manage the workload alongside my professional life through self-directed online learning.

Career-wise, the part-time Master's program was a perfect complement to my business background. The combination of understanding the "business side" and the technical knowledge gained from the Master's program is a huge advantage. Whether directly after the Bachelor's degree or after years of professional experience, I highly recommend the part-time Master's program at Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen, even without programming knowledge!

Artificial intelligence has been my passion for a long time. My thesis in 1991 at ETH Zurich was already about a neural network implemented in Modula-2 for controlling a robot. After my studies, I worked for more than 30 years in various positions at companies such as Sun, SGI, SAP, HP, and Dell EMC.

In 2016, I decided to pursue further education in an IT topic that not only interested me but was also relevant to my future career. Initially, I was looking for a shorter program but couldn’t find anything suitable. All the continuing education courses required at least one day per week on-site, which wasn’t possible with my job at the time. A colleague then pointed me to the newly launched Master’s program in Data Science at Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen, where he had studied previously. The concept of evening online lectures, weekend seminars, and the planned content quickly convinced me. The program was always challenging but never overwhelming and could be managed well alongside a demanding full-time job with the appropriate effort.

I am firmly convinced that my part-time Master of Data Science has significantly improved my chances in the job market and has opened doors to my dream job at my current employer. In my current work environment, dealing with topics such as Big Data, Machine Learning, and Predictive Analytics, the knowledge I gained during my studies is extremely valuable. Lifelong learning is not only enjoyable but also significantly enhances long-term career prospects.

My career as a business economist began traditionally in controlling at a British aerospace and automotive company in Munich, from where I moved to a French provider of commercial software. Most recently, I worked as a solution consultant for planning software at Oracle and Infor. At the same time, I studied part-time in the Master's program in Data Science at Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen. This gave my career at the age of 50 a whole new boost, and I now work as a specialist in predictive intelligence in supply chain planning at Wolters Kluwer CCH Tagetik.

Originally, I applied for the Data Science program to learn techniques for data analysis. As a doctor, I had little mathematical background and no knowledge of computer science during my studies. Since data analysis was playing an increasingly important role in medical research, I was very eager to further my education in this field.

At first, I was concerned whether I could manage this program without a prior degree in computer science or mathematics, but the instructors introduced me to the content well, allowing me to successfully complete even the math-heavy modules.

Compared to boot camps or other brief introductions, I found that the program offers many advantages:

The mandatory curriculum allows for engagement with topics I wouldn’t have encountered from my professional perspective and thus would not have intrinsically focused on. The modules are well-thought-out and each has its own relevance. From each, I was able to adapt things to my professional life that I would never have learned otherwise.

Thanks to the more math-heavy modules, I developed a better understanding of the background of AI models through the program, which is often overlooked or only briefly addressed in boot camps or seminars. I now know the advantages and disadvantages of various methods and can use these techniques purposefully. This understanding is particularly important when applying these methods in scientific contexts.

The program also provides a qualifying degree that is recognized.

During my studies, I found the instructors and staff at Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen to be supportive and encouraging. It was always possible to ask questions, seek assistance, and discuss my own projects. The learning atmosphere was friendly and collegial. During the COVID-19 pandemic, pragmatic solutions were found that supported the students.

The online learning materials were well-organized and informative. This allowed me to work through the content at my own pace, depending on my schedule. The weekly online meetings cleared up any confusion and motivated me to complete the weekly learning units on time.

Balancing studies with professional life requires time management, but with good support and commitment, it is definitely manageable.

Overall, I am very grateful for this program and would like to thank everyone involved for the excellent education and support. I highly recommend this program to all future students and interested individuals.

Since the winter semester 2017/2018, I have been studying Data Science part-time at HS-AlbSig. As an engineer, I have ventured into completely new territory with this step. In the well-supported modules, I was able to quickly acquire applicable knowledge and deepen it during the project work in the in-person sessions.

My work life has already fundamentally changed after the first semester due to the new skills I acquired.

It is challenging to integrate the study workload into daily life. However, thanks to the excellent support and targeted preparation for the exam content, achieving the desired module qualifications is possible even for topics without prior knowledge.

The program has opened up a new dimension in career planning for me. I remain excited about the topics from the world of Data Science.