Quantitative Data Science Methods — Psychometrics, Econometrics and Machine Learning (QDS) University of Tübingen

The Master’s programme QDS encourages a focus on research and on the development of methods. It expands and deepens methodological and technical knowledge, enables graduates to carry out academic research, provides the basis for advancing the field, and prepares graduates for subsequent PhD studies. The QDS programme is specifically targeted to enable graduates to take up leading roles and emphasises a scientific, research-oriented mindset based on independent thought, judgement and decision-making. The Master’s programme QDS is a methodological programme which covers a wide range of topics. Graduates are not only able to apply methods, but to evaluate and to develop methods in the three areas of interest. Through optional specialisations further expertise in relevant areas can be gained. The Master’s programme QDS explicitly aims to cover the full breadth of the field, ranging from fundamental skills in statistics and data handling to advanced methods of modern data analysis using a variety of methods. In particular, we will train students to be able to quickly take up new research developments in the three areas. 

Foundations

The area Foundations covers general statistical and technical modules. Depending on the individual’s prerequisites from the qualification degree, this area can serve to compensate for heterogeneity. For this purpose, personalised module combinations can be offered, focusing for example on statistics and probability theory or techniques such as programming. The Foundations area also offers the participation in one elective seminar on ethics, e.g. in technology, data science and AI.

Psychometrics

In Psychometrics and Mathematical Psychology, students learn typical methods used in these fields, such as (semi-parametric) latent variable modelling, item response modelling, dynamic longitudinal modelling, Bayesian statistics, knowledge space theory, models for decision-making, etc. Students are qualified to reflect the critical assumptions of the methods and to know their limitations.

Econometrics

In this area, quantitative methods used in econometrics are introduced. The programme within this area is flexible and methods such as time series analysis and machine learning are taught to be applied to topics like microeconometrics or financial markets.

Machine Learning

The area of machine learning introduces key concepts of the field such as data literacy, deep learning, and statistical and probabilistic machine learning.

The four-semester Master’s programme QDS is split into four areas. These are interdisciplinary Foundations (QDS-FO) and the three core areas of Psychometrics and Mathematical Psychology (QDS-PS), Econometrics (QDS-EC), and Machine Learning (QDS-ML).

To ensure the interdisciplinary character of the programme a minimum of 18 ECTS points have to be earned in each of the areas (QDS-FO, QDS-PS, QDS-EC, QDS-ML), distributed across three semesters.

The programme suggests that students specialise in one of the three core areas. This specialisation can be achieved in three stages.

• Modules: The area of specialisation can cover a total of 30 ECTS points.
• Research Project: The topic of the Research Project can build on the area of specialisation.
• Master thesis: The Master's thesis allows for further specialisation in one area.

A specialisation is not mandatory. The Master’s programme offers a wider path with e.g. 21 to 24 CPs in each area and interdisciplinary topics in the Research Project and thesis as well.

Further information can be found on the website of the Methods Centre: https://uni-tuebingen.de/de/160267.

Cluster of Excellence "Machine Learning in Science"

Internships are not mandatory, but the network of the institute will help students to find adequate internship opportunities.

• Bachelor's grade of at least 2.5 in one of the following or related fields:
  • Mathematics
  • Computer science
  • Physics
  • Economics
  • Quantitative psychology
  • A secondary subject in social and behavioural sciences is desirable.
• Knowledge in mathematics / methods / programming including at least (approx. 40 CPs)
  • One- and multidimensional calculus
  • Linear algebra
  • Statistics / probability theory
  • Basic knowledge in algorithms and data structure (e.g. R or Python)
• Knowledge in social and behavioural sciences, including at least (approx. 20 CPs)
  • Understanding how to work in social and behavioural sciences empirically
  • Concept of latent variables
• Please provide the corresponding descriptions of your courses in your module handbook in your application (and only the corresponding pages not the full module book).
• English proficiency
  • German "Abitur" with English as the first or second foreign language, attended until the last year of school (at least "gut")
  • Official English language certificate (see below)
  • Accredited university degree of at least three years, entirely taught in English 
  • University entrance qualification obtained in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand

Candidates are judged based on their level of interest and personal fit with the programme. As part of the reviewing process, we require a CV and highly recommend handing in a letter of motivation.

The final decision is based on the overall impression (e.g. grades, pre-knowledge, letter of motivation, and interview) of the fit to the programme.

Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Monday to Friday (in the evenings), on weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently about 160 EUR).

Estimated basic student expenses are about 1,000 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”). This amount includes rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.

• The extensive network of the Methods Centre in both science and industry will provide you with opportunities for exchange and benefit your professional progress.
• Career advisory service at the university level: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/study/steps-towards-employment/career-service/

Accommodation is available through the Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 250 to 480 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.

We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the Master's programme (please see: https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it (your application won’t be finally processed before the “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission). For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” pages on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/housing-infos/).

Innovative – interdisciplinary – international: These three words summarise what makes the University of Tübingen special. Excellent research and teaching are Tübingen’s answer to the challenges of the future in a globalised world. We maintain exchanges with partners around the globe. Networks and cooperation across faculty and subject boundaries are the pillars of our successful strategy. This is reflected in our good position in international rankings. In addition, we are one of the eleven German universities distinguished with the title of “excellent.”

Founded in 1477, the University of Tübingen has been a place of top-level research and excellent teaching for almost 550 years. Some 28,500 students from Germany and around the world are enrolled here in our more than 200 study programmes, including numerous international programmes taught entirely in English.

The University of Tübingen is a member of the European University Alliance “CIVIS – A European Civic University” (https://civis.eu/en), offering a wide range of special exchange opportunities for students.

The Methods Centre is an institute at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. Its objective is to support a broad methodological discourse and essentially fulfils four functions:

1. Methods Research

The Methods Centre primarily promotes methodological basic research (method development) and serves as a platform for interdisciplinary cooperation and exchange in this field. It is intended to provide a forum for research in quantitative and qualitative methods as well as for methodological reflection in the philosophy of science. Part of this mission is to create an interdisciplinary, multi-method discourse space in which the potentials and limitations of different approaches are addressed, and in which methodological development is enriched by the tensions that arise both within individual disciplines and across them.

We work at the intersection of Psychometrics and Machine Learning, especially in forecasting of longitudinal phenomena and causality, but also validity of personality measures of LLMs. We provide developments of software with societal impact, for example, for real-time prediction of drop-outs in STEM subjects (front ends, back ends) which is freely available on GitHub for universities (on behalf of the state of Baden-Württemberg).

2. Current Research Projects

The Methods Centre fulfils a bridging function by engaging with the research structures of the University of Tübingen. This includes, in particular, involvement in research projects that require methodological development in the social and behavioural sciences.

3. Interdisciplinary Teaching

The Methods Centre is advancing the development of interdisciplinary methodological teaching. 

The Methods Centre organises yearly Fall Schools and Spring Schools which include an interdisciplinary programme of workshops including quantitative methods, machine learning and qualitative methods. 

4. Methods Expertise

The Methods Centre assumes the task of explicitly providing methodological expertise, for example by serving as a point of consultation for the planning and analysis of empirical studies.

Tübingen ...

• is in south-western Germany, about 40 kilometres south of Stuttgart.
• has some 92,000 inhabitants. The town’s many students and its numerous young families make Tübingen Germany’s youngest city by average age.
• is one of the most coveted places to study in Germany – both because of the excellent conditions for students and researchers, and the unique charm of the town.
• boasts a renowned historic centre with many cafés, restaurants, and shops, and outstanding cultural activities.
• is a very safe place to be, with excellent public transport.
• is well known for its eco-friendly attitudes.
• is surrounded by beautiful countryside. The Black Forest and the Swabian Jura hills are not far away and provide excellent opportunities for climbing, canoeing, hiking, biking — and skiing in winter.