The University of Virginia School of Data Science is excited to introduce four new optional concentrations for students in the M.S. in Data Science (MSDS) Residential program: Artificial Intelligence, Data Visualization, Genomics, and Sports Data Science.

“Our residential MSDS concentrations are really about giving students both breadth and direction,” said Prince Afriyie, program director of the Residential MSDS. “Every student builds a strong foundation through a shared, rigorous core in analytics, systems, data design, and data and society, and then they’re able to go deeper in an area that matches their interests — whether that’s artificial intelligence, data visualization, genomics, or sports data science.”

These concentrations are designed to help students tailor their academic experience to specific industry roles or applied research areas. By aligning electives and capstone projects with focused domains, students can signal to future employers that they are prepared to enter the field with both depth and practical experience.

According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, employment of data scientists is projected to grow +34% over the next decade, with 23,000+ job openings for data scientists and related occupations each year. Data is everywhere, in all industries, and organizations will need agile, highly trained analysts to harness, organize, and provide insight to all facets of their work. Completing a specific concentration will further enhance the skillset of MSDS graduates, while also aligning their interests, academics, and prospective career field.

“These concentrations align advanced electives and capstone projects with real-world applications, allowing students to translate technical skills into impact,” said Afriyie. “Data science careers are no longer one-size-fits-all. These concentrations reflect how the field is evolving, where employers are looking not just for technical skills, but for applied expertise, ethical awareness, and the ability to translate data into real decisions in specific domains.”

Two of the four concentrations, Genomics and Sports Data Science, have limited capacity and require an application through a short-answer question as part of the competitive admissions process. The Artificial Intelligence and Data Visualization concentrations have unlimited seats, do not require an application, and may be declared by the end of a student’s first term in the program.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries across the globe. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, AI is the fastest-growing desired skill, with 86% of surveyed employers anticipating that AI and related technologies will drive transformation in their organizations. LinkedIn’s 2025 Jobs on the Rise report further underscores this momentum, ranking AI Engineer and AI Consultant as the #1 and #2 fastest-growing roles.

The Artificial Intelligence concentration equips students with a deep understanding of modern AI methods, from natural language processing and large language models to the ethical and responsible deployment of AI systems. The concentration builds on the MSDS core curriculum (including Machine Learning I, II, and III) and emphasizes both theory and hands-on application.

Through electives such as DS 5001: Text as Data and DS 6051: Decoding Large Language Models, students gain experience working with real-world AI tools and techniques. The DS 6015 Capstone centers on an applied AI project, where students work in interdisciplinary teams to design, implement, and present a solution for a real client.

The AI concentration is open to all students in the residential MSDS program and may be declared at the end of the first term.

Data Visualization

Data visualization plays a critical role in helping organizations make sense of complex information. The Data Visualization concentration prepares students to transform data into clear, meaningful, and compelling visual stories that support decision-making and insight.

Students in this concentration explore advanced techniques in visual design, human-centered data interaction, and network representation of data. Emphasizing both the art and science of visual communication, the concentration prepares students to build interactive, web-enabled visualizations for a wide range of audiences and domains.

Demand for visualization and design expertise continues to grow. Roles such as UI and UX Designers are projected to grow by +45% over the next five years, with employers increasingly seeking skills in creativity, design, and user experience. Aligned coursework in data visualization positions MSDS graduates to help shape this rapidly evolving field.

The Data Visualization concentration is open to all students in the residential MSDS program and may be declared at the end of the first term. Students complete two approved electives in areas such as human-centered design, data visualization, or interactive applications. The DS 6015 Capstone focuses on a project requiring advanced data visualization tools and techniques, completed in interdisciplinary teams for a real client.

Genomics

In the medical and health care fields, 63% of those surveyed anticipate biotechnology and gene technology will transform their industry, with anticipated +50% growth for data scientists and analysts in the next five years. Genomics coursework will directly prepare graduates to enter this in-demand field with the specific skills employers are seeking.

The Genomics concentration offers students the opportunity to work at the intersection of data science, genomics, and responsible research. Initiated by grant funding from the NIH’s National Human Genome Research Institute, the School of Data Science and the Center for Public Health Genomics are collaborating to establish REGARDS (Research Experiences in Genomics Applications of Responsible Data Science).

Students pursuing this concentration acquire foundational genomics and computational biology knowledge alongside their data science training, with a strong emphasis on responsible data science and research ethics — skills essential to the future biomedical and informatics workforce.

The Genomics concentration has competitive entry and must be applied for during the admissions process. Students admitted to the concentration will be notified in their offer letters. Required coursework is selected with guidance from the Program Director and includes foundational genomics and computational biology courses. The DS 6015 Capstone focuses on an applied genomics project in collaboration with the Department of Genome Sciences, part of UVA’s School of Medicine.

Sports Data Science

In 2025 alone, the sports industry invested $7.6 billion in AI/ML technology, in what Forbes calls the “digital transformation of sports.” These billions support advances in scouting, coaching, athletic performance, and even personalizing fan experience.

The Sports Data Science concentration provides a distinctive, hands-on opportunity to work with UVA Athletics, home to more than 25 NCAA Division I teams. Sports data science is an interdisciplinary field that applies data-driven methods to improve athletic performance, team strategy, and organizational decision-making.

Students in this concentration engage with a wide range of data sources, including game statistics, wearable sensor data, biomechanics, and fan engagement metrics. Coursework spans traditional sports analytics, sports science, and business analytics, preparing graduates to work with both competition-focused and operational datasets.

The concentration also emphasizes critical considerations such as equity, privacy, and ethics in sports data. Graduates leave prepared to deliver actionable insights for athletes, coaches, clinicians, and executives.

Sports Data Science is a competitive-entry concentration and must be applied for during the admissions process. Students admitted to the concentration will be notified in their offer letters. Required coursework includes a sports data methodologies course and a new practicum with UVA Athletics. The DS 6015 Capstone focuses on a sports data science challenge, completed in interdisciplinary teams for a client such as a university athletic department, professional team, or industry partner.

Concentrations Built for Impactful Careers

These four optional concentrations reflect the UVA School of Data Science’s commitment to preparing students for impactful, data-driven careers. Whether your interests lie in artificial intelligence, visual storytelling, biomedical research, or athletics, the MSDS residential program offers pathways to deepen expertise while building real-world experience.

Learn more about the full-time, in-person Residential MSDS at the University of Virginia. Request more information, connect with Admissions, or start your application today.

M.S. in Data Science, Residential