Data Scientists in action: The Thesis

All students will complete a thesis, which will report on research and analysis done under the supervision of both a faculty member and an industry partner when available. While students may work with proprietary data, industry partners must agree that the student can publish and distribute the thesis. The thesis must consist of an original analysis that solves a real-world problem. A faculty adviser of the Department of Statistics & Data Science will supervise the thesis project, who will ensure the statistical integrity of the analysis. Most thesis topics will originate from industry partners, who will propose topics and provide data sets. In these cases, a representative of the industry partner will work with the student and the faculty adviser to ensure that the solution provided in the thesis is satisfactory to the industry partner.

MASDS Timeline to Filing A Thesis

1. Start thinking about which faculty you would like to work with as your Faculty Advisor (and who you would want to be the Chair of your committee) & approach them before the Fall quarter of your 2nd year.
   1. For assistance in choosing a faculty advisor, please click on this link to review our faculty research. Please note that you can still choose a faculty advisor who may not be on that list but may also be found here.
   2. Once you have selected your faculty advisor, please submit this form to your faculty advisor. Then after it’s signed by both you and your advisor, submit the form to the SSA (Laurie Leyden).
2. Complete and submit the Nomination of Master’s Committee form at least the quarter before you Advance to Candidacy.
3. Submit the “Master’s Advancement to Candidacy Petition” form along with a copy of your unofficial transcripts to the MASDS Graduate Advisor (Laurie), within the first two weeks of the quarter you want to graduate. Specific instructions can be found at this link. Expanded guidelines and sample timelines can be found at this link. To further your knowledge on the UCLA Standards & Procedures, please refer here: https://grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/library/spfgs.pdf
   1. File thesis. Committee members will approve your thesis online. You must send your complete draft to all committee members at least three weeks before the thesis filing deadline.
   2. If you still need more time and after you’ve advanced choose to do a Filing Fee instead, you must read this website carefully: https://grad.ucla.edu/academics/graduate-study/filing-fee-application/
   3. You must also complete the Filing Fee application found here: https://grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/etd/filingfee.pdf
      1. Important dates and workshops are found here: https://grad.ucla.edu/academics/calendar/thesis-dissertation-filing-deadlines-and-workshops/
      2. Should you choose the Filing Fee for a specific quarter, you must be registered and enrolled the quarter before AND you must submit a complete first draft of your thesis to all committee members at the time you submit your filing fee application. (In order to apply the filing fee, students must be registered and enrolled in at least 2 units the quarter before.)
4. After your thesis has been uploaded and approved online, please complete the MASDS Exit Survey here: https://forms.gle/YFzVsthWV7rsBQ2G7. Your participation in the survey is voluntary but highly appreciated.

Tuition and Expenses

The MASDS program is classified differently from other graduate programs at UCLA. The UCLA Graduate Tuition does not apply to the MASDS program.

The cost of tuition in the MASDS program for 2023-2024 is $1170.75 per unit for residents and non-residents.

Students must complete 44 units to complete the program. A typical course in the program is 4 units. Students in the MASDS program may choose to take 1 or more courses as long as they complete the program within 36 months. International students in the MASDS must take a minimum of 8 units (2 classes) per quarter to be regarded as full-time for student visa purposes, but may double check with DCISS and contact them directly: https://www.internationalcenter.ucla.edu/contact-us

A typical load for MASDS students is 8 units (2 classes) per quarter. Students enrolled in this program are also required to pay student services fee, campus‐based fees and health insurance.

https://sa.ucla.edu/RO/Fees/Public/public-fees?year=2023-2024&term=Annual°ree=Academic%20Master

When viewing the Graduate Student Fee page, keep in mind that Tuition and Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition do not apply to the MASDS program. Students who have their own health insurance plan may be eligible to waive the fees for UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP).

Refund Policy on Dropped Courses:

1. By the end of 3rd week (100% refund of all units dropped)
2. By the end of 4th week (50% refund of all units dropped)
3. After 4th week (0% refund of all units dropped)

Note: Refer to or bookmark this webpage to understand how the UCLA Registrar’s office defines the end of the week for each week of the quarter. Typically the cutoff time is at 11:59pm at the end of each week. The refunds listed above apply to your tuition fees only. They do not include campus based fees. Please refer to the deadlines posted at this link. UCLA Registration fees still adhere to the end of the 2nd week deadline.