Data Mining, Graduate Certificate

College of Science and Engineering

This is an interdepartmental program. Contact the Mathematics, Computer Science, or Geography & Environmental Studies department for more information.

Minimum Totals for Graduation: 15 - 18 hours

The Data Mining Certificate program is designed to give each student a comprehensive training of basic foundation, advanced knowledge and applications of data mining. The primary goal is to develop a high quality program and a creative learning environment that enable students to acquire advanced data mining knowledge and experience in real world applications, team work and presentations that are essential in work place.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

Admission Requirements

1. Applicants must meet all CMU Graduate Studies admission requirements. International students should take note of any special admission considerations required by the College of Graduate Studies, including TOEFL requirements.
2. Applicants must have completed at least three years of undergraduate program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and at least 3 credit hours of basic statistics or equivalent.
3. Applicants must submit a Statement of Purpose of at least 100 words and not to exceed two pages. The Statement of Purpose should explain their relevant academic and professional experiences, discuss motivation for applying to the program, and describe their goals after completing the program.
4. The consideration of admission deadline is the same as the University policy as specified in the Graduate Bulletin.

Certificate Requirements

The Data Mining certificate program requires a successful completion of 15 to 18 credit hours of graduate course work. Students must have CMU graduate student status. If a student has taken at least one course (or equivalent course) from the list of required and primary elective courses, the student is required to have a total of 15 credit hours. If a student has taken more than one of these courses, the student will have to take courses from the secondary electives in order to fulfill the 15 hours requirement. If a student has not taken any of these courses, the student is required to take all the 18 credit hours. Students must have an earned Bachelor’s degree before receiving the certificate.

Required Core Courses (9 hours)

CPS 685	Pattern Recognition and Data Mining	3(3-0)
GEO 503	Advanced Geographic Information Systems	3(2-2)
STA 591	Data Mining Techniques I	3(3-0)

Primary Electives (6-9 hours)

Choose at least two out of the following courses. Primary electives are to be chosen in consultation with and approval of a data mining program advisor. The choice of two courses depends on the background a student has prior to joining the program.

CPS 541	Databases	3(3-0)
CPS 585	Applied Data Engineering	3(3-0)
GEO 512	Quantitative Methods for Spatial Analysis	3(2-2)
STA 580	Applied Statistical Methods I	3(3-0)

Notes: You may select CPS 585 OR CPS 541, but not both. CPS 541 is recommended for Computer Science Majors.

Secondary Electives (0-6 hours)

Any graduate level quantitative or computational course. Secondary electives are to be chosen in consultation with and approval of a data mining program advisor.

Total: 15-18 semester hours