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17 Post Graduation Courses on Machine Learning & Data Science in the US and India

17 Post Graduation Courses on Machine Learning & Data Science in the US and India

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Team Machine Learning
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February 20, 2017
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8 min read
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Introduction

We certainly have some interesting times to look forward to. All ed tech and career forecasts for this decade talk about artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing, enabling digital transformation in ways that are quite “out there.”

To stay relevant in this economy, the brightest minds, naturally, want to stay ahead of the pack by specialising in these exciting fields.

Going back to school may not be a feasible or attractive route when looking for new career options for people who are already equipped with degrees in computer science, engineering, math, or statistics. So, they typically get certified from edX, Coursera, and Udacity. Read more top free courses from these ed platforms here.

In the U.S., many premier universities offer offline and online graduate programs in data science and only a few in machine learning. Some universities such as Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Rutgers, and University of Wisconsin–Madison offers machine learning/AI courses designed for data science, computer science, math, or stats graduate students.

But for students who can’t wait to learn on the job, we’ve put together a list of universities that offer graduate and/or PhD programs on the campus in the US and India.

Table of Contents

  1. Universities / Colleges in the US
    • Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania
    • University of Washington, Washington
    • Colombia University, New York
    • Stanford University, California
    • Texas A & M University, Texas
    • New York University, New York
    • Georgia Tech, Georgia
    • North Carolina State University, North Carolina
    • Northwestern University, Illionis
    • UC Berkley, California
  2. Universities / Colleges in India
    • Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon / Chennai / Bengaluru
    • SP Jain School of Global Management, Pune
    • Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai
    • MISB Bocconi, Mumbai
    • Indian School of Business (ISB), Bengaluru
    • IIM Bangalore
    • Institute of Finance and International Management (IFIM), Bengaluru

Universities / Colleges in the US

1. Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania

Situated in Pittsburgh, CMU has seven colleges and independent schools and is among the top 25 universities in the U.S. The Machine Learning Department offers three courses to introduce students to the concept of data-driven decision making:

  • Master of Science in Machine Learning which focuses on data mining.For information about the application procedure and deadlines, go here.
  • Secondary Master’s in Machine Learning which is open only to its PhD students, faculty, and staff.For information about admission requirements and application, go here.
  • Fifth Year Master’s in Machine Learning for its undergraduate students to get an MS by earning credits in ML courses.For information about program requirements and application, go here.
  • The Language Technologies Department offers a Master of Computational Data ScienceDegree.

2. University of Washington, Washington

UW’s Master of Science in Data Science degree teaches students to manage, model, and visualize big data. Expert faculty from six of the university’s departments who teach this fee-based course expect the students to have “a solid background mathematics, computer programming and communication.” The course is designed for working professionals, with evening classes on the campus, who can enroll as part-time or full-time students.

  • For information about the application procedure and deadlines, go here.
  • For information about financial aid and cost of study, go here.

UW’s Certificate in Data Science teaches basic math, computer science, and analytics to aspiring data scientists. Professionals are expected to know some SQL, programming, and statistics. Data storage and manipulation tools (e.g. Hadoop, MapReduce), core machine learning concepts, types of databases, and real-life data science applications are part of the curriculum.

3. Columbia University, New York

Its Master of Science in Data Science is a great option for careerists who want to switch to data science. Students need to earn 30 credits, 21 by taking the core courses, including machine learning, and 9 credits by working on an elective (Foundations of Data Science, Cybersecurity, Financial and Business Analytics, Health Analytics, New Media Sense, Collect and Move Data, Smart Cities) from the Data Science Institute. The university offers both part-time and full-time options.

  • For more course information, go here.

The department also has an online Certification of Professional Achievement in Data Sciences course. The Computer Science Department has a Machine Learning Track as a part of the MS degree in CS.

4. Stanford University, California

The Department of Statistics and Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering (ICME) offer an M.S. in Data Science, where it is a terminal degree for the former and a specialized track for ICME. There are several electives that range from machine learning to human neuroimaging methods for students, but strong math (linear algebra, numerical methods, probabilities, PDE, stats, etc.) and programming skills (C++, R) form the core of the course. Go to the homepage for more information about prerequisites and requirements.

  • For information about admissions and financial aid, go here.
Machine learning challenge, ML challenge

5. Texas A&M University, Texas

The Houston-based university has a Master of Science in Analytics degree offered by the Department of Statistics. The course is tailored for “working professionals with strong quantitative skills.” What’s more, students can access Mays Business School courses as well. The part-time course, with evening classes, takes two years to complete. The program, which focuses on statistical modeling and predictive analysis, does have an online option.

  • For information on course requirements, go here.

6. New York University, New York

The Master of Science in Data Science is for students with a strong programming and mathematical background. The Center for Urban Science and Progress and the Center for the Promotion of Research Involving Innovative Statistical Methodology work closely with the Center for Data Science. The university offers full-time and part-time options; students have to earn 36 credits and also have six electives to choose from. Tuition scholarships are available although not for university fees.

  • For more information about the course, go here.

7. Georgia Tech, Georgia

The on-campus Master of Science in Analytics program Georgia Tech offers opportunities to strengthen your skills in statistics, computing, operations research, and business. The instructors include experts from the College of Engineering, the College of Computing, and Scheller College of Business. Applicants to this premium tuition program are expected to be proficient in basic mathematical concepts such as calculus, statistics, and high-level computing languages such as C++ and Python. Depending on what their career goals are, students can choose from one of these tracks: Analytical Tools, Business Analytics, and Computational Data Analytics.

What’s great for the students is that the college has dedicated job placement assistance and chances to network with influencers in the data science industry.

  • For more information on how to apply, go here.

The College of Computing has courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) at the undergraduate and graduate levels; they do not award degrees in these.

8. North Carolina State University

The Institute for Advanced Analytics offers a 10-month long Master of Science in Analytics degree. The program is “innovative, practical, and relevant.” The Summer session includes Statistics primer and Analytics tools and foundation. The Practicum, which last eight months in the fall and spring, teaches you a range of topics including data mining, machine learning, optimization, simulation & risk, web analytics, financial analytics, data visualization, and business concepts such as project management.

  • For information about application requirements and procedures, go here.
  • For information about the tuition and fees, go here.

9. Northwestern University, Illinois

McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science offers a 15-month full-time MS in Analytics degree. The faculty “combines mathematical and statistical studies with instruction in advanced information technology and data management.” The course has an 8-month practicum project, 3-month summer internship, and a 10-week capstone project. Scholarships that cover up to 50% of the tuition are available on merit basis.

  • For information about admission requirements and procedures, go here.
  • For information about the tuition and funding, go here.

10. UC Berkeley, California

Although the Master of Information and Data Science is an online course, students have to attend a week on campus. The curriculum covers areas in social science, policy research, statistics, computer science, and engineering. The full-time option takes 12 to 20 months; the university lets you complete the course part time as well.

  • For more information about the course, go here.

Universities / Colleges in India

1. Great Lakes Institute of Management

Great Lakes’ Post Graduate Program in Business Analytics and Business Intelligence has been ranked the best analytics course in the country by Analytics India Magazine. The course is designed for working professionals and is offered in its Chennai, Gurgaon, and Bengaluru campuses. The curriculum combines business management skills and analytics, including case studies and hands-on training in relevant tools such as Tableau, R, and SAS. Students have to attend 230 hours of classroom sessions and 110 hours of online sessions.

  • For more information about the program, go here.

2. SP Jain School of Global Management

Students can opt for the full-time or part-time options of the Big Data & Analytics program offered by the Mumbai-based institute. People with prior work experience are given preference. The program has 10 core courses including cutting-edge topics such as machine learning, data mining, predictive modeling, natural language processing, visualization techniques, and statistics. Industry experts and academicians focus on application-based learning, teaching students how to apply current tools and technologies to extract valuable insights from big data.

  • For more information about the program, go here.

3. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies

It offers a 1-year Postgraduate Certificate Program in Business Analytics in partnership with University of South Florida. The course conducted in its Mumbai campus combines classroom training with online sessions. NMIMS will take 12 hours and USF Muma College of Business faculty will take 20 hours to instruct students on the current Business Analytical tools, methodologies, and technologies. Course covers topics such as introduction to statistics, database management, business intelligence and visualization, machine learning, big data analytics, data mining, financial analytics, and optimization. Students will learn how to tackle real-world business issues through the capstone project.

  • For more information about the program, go here.

4. MISB Bocconi

The 12-month Executive Program in Business Analytics is taught by renowned faculty from SDA Bocconi (Milan) and Jigsaw Academy at the Mumbai International School of Business Bocconi (MISB) campus in Mumbai. The course content comprises web analytics, statistics, visualization, R, time series, text mining, SAS, machine learning, Big Data (Sqoop, Flume, Pig, HBASE, Hive, Oozie, and SPARK), and digital marketing. Students learn core concepts of business analytics and its application across various domains.

  • For more information about the course curriculum, go here.

5. Indian School of Business (ISB)

ISB offers a Certificate Program in Business Analytics on its Hyderabad campus. The course is designed for working professionals (with at least 3 years of work experience) who have to spend 18 days at the institute during the 12-month program; a technology-aided learning platform takes over the rest of the time. The rigorous course is chock-full with lectures, projects, and assignments. The comprehensive curriculum also includes preparatory pre-term courses and a capstone project.

  • For more information about the course curriculum, go here.

6. IIM Bangalore

The year-long Certificate Program on Business Analytics and Intelligence comprises six modules and a project. The course content includes Data Visualization and Interpretation, Data Preprocessing and Imputation, Predictive Analytics: Supervised Learning Algorithms, Optimization Analytics, Stochastic Models, Data Reduction, Advanced Forecasting and Operations Analytics, Machine Learning Algorithms, Big Data Analytics,and Analytics in Finance and Marketing. The Institute would like the applicants to have a minimum of 3 years of work experience. Online classes are open to a limited number of participants, who must attend on-campus sessions as well.

  • For information about eligibility criteria, go here.
  • For information about the program fees, go here.

7. Institute of Finance and International Management (IFIM)

The Institute of Finance and International Management, Bangalore, offers a 15-month full-time Business Analytics program for working executives. Program features include live streaming and classroom sessions, opportunity to work with relevant IBM, OpenSource, and Microsoft software, and convenient weekend classes.

  • For more information about this program, go here.

Conclusion

With the huge amounts of data pouring in and the need to apply analytical solutions to address business challenges, the future looks brighter than ever for data scientists and machine learning experts. Salaries are naturally high for these much sought-after skills.

For programmers and statisticians, getting certified is the next step. For students looking to distinguish themselves, these are great career opportunities.

In this post, we have put together a list of graduate programs offered by highly ranked institutes and universities in the US and India. On-campus courses are interactive; nothing can beat face-to-face contact with the faculty and peers, the friends you make, and the easy access to relevant resources.

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February 20, 2017
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8 min read
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Vibe Coding: Shaping the Future of Software

A New Era of CodeVibe coding is a new method of using natural language prompts and AI tools to generate code. I have seen firsthand that this change makes software more accessible to everyone. In the past, being able to produce functional code was a strong advantage for developers. Today,...

A New Era of Code

Vibe coding is a new method of using natural language prompts and AI tools to generate code. I have seen firsthand that this change makes software more accessible to everyone. In the past, being able to produce functional code was a strong advantage for developers. Today, when code is produced quickly through AI, the true value lies in designing, refining, and optimizing systems. Our role now goes beyond writing code; we must also ensure that our systems remain efficient and reliable.

From Machine Language to Natural Language

I recall the early days when every line of code was written manually. We progressed from machine language to high-level programming, and now we are beginning to interact with our tools using natural language. This development does not only increase speed but also changes how we approach problem solving. Product managers can now create working demos in hours instead of weeks, and founders have a clearer way of pitching their ideas with functional prototypes. It is important for us to rethink our role as developers and focus on architecture and system design rather than simply on typing c

The Promise and the Pitfalls

I have experienced both sides of vibe coding. In cases where the goal was to build a quick prototype or a simple internal tool, AI-generated code provided impressive results. Teams have been able to test new ideas and validate concepts much faster. However, when it comes to more complex systems that require careful planning and attention to detail, the output from AI can be problematic. I have seen situations where AI produces large volumes of code that become difficult to manage without significant human intervention.

AI-powered coding tools like GitHub Copilot and AWS’s Q Developer have demonstrated significant productivity gains. For instance, at the National Australia Bank, it’s reported that half of the production code is generated by Q Developer, allowing developers to focus on higher-level problem-solving . Similarly, platforms like Lovable enable non-coders to build viable tech businesses using natural language prompts, contributing to a shift where AI-generated code reduces the need for large engineering teams. However, there are challenges. AI-generated code can sometimes be verbose or lack the architectural discipline required for complex systems. While AI can rapidly produce prototypes or simple utilities, building large-scale systems still necessitates experienced engineers to refine and optimize the code.​

The Economic Impact

The democratization of code generation is altering the economic landscape of software development. As AI tools become more prevalent, the value of average coding skills may diminish, potentially affecting salaries for entry-level positions. Conversely, developers who excel in system design, architecture, and optimization are likely to see increased demand and compensation.​
Seizing the Opportunity

Vibe coding is most beneficial in areas such as rapid prototyping and building simple applications or internal tools. It frees up valuable time that we can then invest in higher-level tasks such as system architecture, security, and user experience. When used in the right context, AI becomes a helpful partner that accelerates the development process without replacing the need for skilled engineers.

This is revolutionizing our craft, much like the shift from machine language to assembly to high-level languages did in the past. AI can churn out code at lightning speed, but remember, “Any fool can write code that a computer can understand. Good programmers write code that humans can understand.” Use AI for rapid prototyping, but it’s your expertise that transforms raw output into robust, scalable software. By honing our skills in design and architecture, we ensure our work remains impactful and enduring. Let’s continue to learn, adapt, and build software that stands the test of time.​

Ready to streamline your recruitment process? Get a free demo to explore cutting-edge solutions and resources for your hiring needs.

Guide to Conducting Successful System Design Interviews in 2025

What is Systems Design?Systems Design is an all encompassing term which encapsulates both frontend and backend components harmonized to define the overall architecture of a product.Designing robust and scalable systems requires a deep understanding of application, architecture and their underlying components like networks, data, interfaces and modules.Systems Design, in its...

What is Systems Design?

Systems Design is an all encompassing term which encapsulates both frontend and backend components harmonized to define the overall architecture of a product.

Designing robust and scalable systems requires a deep understanding of application, architecture and their underlying components like networks, data, interfaces and modules.

Systems Design, in its essence, is a blueprint of how software and applications should work to meet specific goals. The multi-dimensional nature of this discipline makes it open-ended – as there is no single one-size-fits-all solution to a system design problem.

What is a System Design Interview?

Conducting a System Design interview requires recruiters to take an unconventional approach and look beyond right or wrong answers. Recruiters should aim for evaluating a candidate’s ‘systemic thinking’ skills across three key aspects:

How they navigate technical complexity and navigate uncertainty
How they meet expectations of scale, security and speed
How they focus on the bigger picture without losing sight of details

This assessment of the end-to-end thought process and a holistic approach to problem-solving is what the interview should focus on.

What are some common topics for a System Design Interview

System design interview questions are free-form and exploratory in nature where there is no right or best answer to a specific problem statement. Here are some common questions:

How would you approach the design of a social media app or video app?

What are some ways to design a search engine or a ticketing system?

How would you design an API for a payment gateway?

What are some trade-offs and constraints you will consider while designing systems?

What is your rationale for taking a particular approach to problem solving?

Usually, interviewers base the questions depending on the organization, its goals, key competitors and a candidate’s experience level.

For senior roles, the questions tend to focus on assessing the computational thinking, decision making and reasoning ability of a candidate. For entry level job interviews, the questions are designed to test the hard skills required for building a system architecture.

The Difference between a System Design Interview and a Coding Interview

If a coding interview is like a map that takes you from point A to Z – a systems design interview is like a compass which gives you a sense of the right direction.

Here are three key difference between the two:

Coding challenges follow a linear interviewing experience i.e. candidates are given a problem and interaction with recruiters is limited. System design interviews are more lateral and conversational, requiring active participation from interviewers.

Coding interviews or challenges focus on evaluating the technical acumen of a candidate whereas systems design interviews are oriented to assess problem solving and interpersonal skills.

Coding interviews are based on a right/wrong approach with ideal answers to problem statements while a systems design interview focuses on assessing the thought process and the ability to reason from first principles.

How to Conduct an Effective System Design Interview

One common mistake recruiters make is that they approach a system design interview with the expectations and preparation of a typical coding interview.
Here is a four step framework technical recruiters can follow to ensure a seamless and productive interview experience:

Step 1: Understand the subject at hand

  • Develop an understanding of basics of system design and architecture
  • Familiarize yourself with commonly asked systems design interview questions
  • Read about system design case studies for popular applications
  • Structure the questions and problems by increasing magnitude of difficulty

Step 2: Prepare for the interview

  • Plan the extent of the topics and scope of discussion in advance
  • Clearly define the evaluation criteria and communicate expectations
  • Quantify constraints, inputs, boundaries and assumptions
  • Establish the broader context and a detailed scope of the exercise

Step 3: Stay actively involved

  • Ask follow-up questions to challenge a solution
  • Probe candidates to gauge real-time logical reasoning skills
  • Make it a conversation and take notes of important pointers and outcomes
  • Guide candidates with hints and suggestions to steer them in the right direction

Step 4: Be a collaborator

  • Encourage candidates to explore and consider alternative solutions
  • Work with the candidate to drill the problem into smaller tasks
  • Provide context and supporting details to help candidates stay on track
  • Ask follow-up questions to learn about the candidate’s experience

Technical recruiters and hiring managers should aim for providing an environment of positive reinforcement, actionable feedback and encouragement to candidates.

Evaluation Rubric for Candidates

Facilitate Successful System Design Interview Experiences with FaceCode

FaceCode, HackerEarth’s intuitive and secure platform, empowers recruiters to conduct system design interviews in a live coding environment with HD video chat.

FaceCode comes with an interactive diagram board which makes it easier for interviewers to assess the design thinking skills and conduct communication assessments using a built-in library of diagram based questions.

With FaceCode, you can combine your feedback points with AI-powered insights to generate accurate, data-driven assessment reports in a breeze. Plus, you can access interview recordings and transcripts anytime to recall and trace back the interview experience.

Learn how FaceCode can help you conduct system design interviews and boost your hiring efficiency.

How Candidates Use Technology to Cheat in Online Technical Assessments

Impact of Online Assessments in Technical Hiring In a digitally-native hiring landscape, online assessments have proven to be both a boon and a bane for recruiters and employers. The ease and...

Impact of Online Assessments in Technical Hiring


In a digitally-native hiring landscape, online assessments have proven to be both a boon and a bane for recruiters and employers.

The ease and efficiency of virtual interviews, take home programming tests and remote coding challenges is transformative. Around 82% of companies use pre-employment assessments as reliable indicators of a candidate's skills and potential.

Online skill assessment tests have been proven to streamline technical hiring and enable recruiters to significantly reduce the time and cost to identify and hire top talent.

In the realm of online assessments, remote assessments have transformed the hiring landscape, boosting the speed and efficiency of screening and evaluating talent. On the flip side, candidates have learned how to use creative methods and AI tools to cheat in tests.

As it turns out, technology that makes hiring easier for recruiters and managers - is also their Achilles' heel.

Cheating in Online Assessments is a High Stakes Problem



With the proliferation of AI in recruitment, the conversation around cheating has come to the forefront, putting recruiters and hiring managers in a bit of a flux.



According to research, nearly 30 to 50 percent of candidates cheat in online assessments for entry level jobs. Even 10% of senior candidates have been reportedly caught cheating.

The problem becomes twofold - if finding the right talent can be a competitive advantage, the consequences of hiring the wrong one can be equally damaging and counter-productive.

As per Forbes, a wrong hire can cost a company around 30% of an employee's salary - not to mention, loss of precious productive hours and morale disruption.

The question that arises is - "Can organizations continue to leverage AI-driven tools for online assessments without compromising on the integrity of their hiring process? "

This article will discuss the common methods candidates use to outsmart online assessments. We will also dive deep into actionable steps that you can take to prevent cheating while delivering a positive candidate experience.

Common Cheating Tactics and How You Can Combat Them


  1. Using ChatGPT and other AI tools to write code

    Copy-pasting code using AI-based platforms and online code generators is one of common cheat codes in candidates' books. For tackling technical assessments, candidates conveniently use readily available tools like ChatGPT and GitHub. Using these tools, candidates can easily generate solutions to solve common programming challenges such as:
    • Debugging code
    • Optimizing existing code
    • Writing problem-specific code from scratch
    Ways to prevent it
    • Enable full-screen mode
    • Disable copy-and-paste functionality
    • Restrict tab switching outside of code editors
    • Use AI to detect code that has been copied and pasted
  2. Enlist external help to complete the assessment


    Candidates often seek out someone else to take the assessment on their behalf. In many cases, they also use screen sharing and remote collaboration tools for real-time assistance.

    In extreme cases, some candidates might have an off-camera individual present in the same environment for help.

    Ways to prevent it
    • Verify a candidate using video authentication
    • Restrict test access from specific IP addresses
    • Use online proctoring by taking snapshots of the candidate periodically
    • Use a 360 degree environment scan to ensure no unauthorized individual is present
  3. Using multiple devices at the same time


    Candidates attempting to cheat often rely on secondary devices such as a computer, tablet, notebook or a mobile phone hidden from the line of sight of their webcam.

    By using multiple devices, candidates can look up information, search for solutions or simply augment their answers.

    Ways to prevent it
    • Track mouse exit count to detect irregularities
    • Detect when a new device or peripheral is connected
    • Use network monitoring and scanning to detect any smart devices in proximity
    • Conduct a virtual whiteboard interview to monitor movements and gestures
  4. Using remote desktop software and virtual machines


    Tech-savvy candidates go to great lengths to cheat. Using virtual machines, candidates can search for answers using a secondary OS while their primary OS is being monitored.

    Remote desktop software is another cheating technique which lets candidates give access to a third-person, allowing them to control their device.

    With remote desktops, candidates can screen share the test window and use external help.

    Ways to prevent it
    • Restrict access to virtual machines
    • AI-based proctoring for identifying malicious keystrokes
    • Use smart browsers to block candidates from using VMs

Future-proof Your Online Assessments With HackerEarth

HackerEarth's AI-powered online proctoring solution is a tested and proven way to outsmart cheating and take preventive measures at the right stage. With HackerEarth's Smart Browser, recruiters can mitigate the threat of cheating and ensure their online assessments are accurate and trustworthy.
  • Secure, sealed-off testing environment
  • AI-enabled live test monitoring
  • Enterprise-grade, industry leading compliance
  • Built-in features to track, detect and flag cheating attempts
Boost your hiring efficiency and conduct reliable online assessments confidently with HackerEarth's revolutionary Smart Browser.
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