Bachelor of Data Science (B DataSc)

Learn ways to analyse and interpret data using fundamentals of computer science, maths, programming, and statistics. This degree will teach you about secure and ethical ways to collect, store, and process large amounts of data — as well as how to understand and communicate findings by turning numbers into actionable outcomes. 

Data is used by organisations of all sizes to make better decisions. In this degree, you will learn how to analyse and interpret data to inform decision-making and forecast trends. As data is at the centre of every industry, you can use your diverse skillset across many fields.

What will my study involve?

• Depending on your chosen major, you will have a range of hands-on learning experiences from our modern laboratories to our field stations.
• Project work in your final year will give you experience in applying data science to create workplace solutions.
• We have research centres that specialise in data science, with projects like climate change prediction models in Antarctica, geospatial mapping for urban planning in rural Aotearoa, and VR simulation training systems for firefighters.

Entry requirements

• Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
• If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's 

English language requirements.

• See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.

Recommended preparation
The Bachelor of Data Science is open to anyone with entry to the University.

• A background in secondary school subjects such as maths, statistics, computing, and IT will be especially useful. UC offers introductory courses if you have little or no background in these areas.

Degree structure
The Bachelor of Data Science requires a minimum total of 360 points:

• 195 points of compulsory Data Science courses
• 165 points of courses towards your major.
• At least 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 105 points at 300-level.

The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.

Subjects and courses

• The Bachelor of Data Science includes introductory courses in programming, mathematics, statistics, and computer sciences, as well as hands-on lab work and group projects.
• You will also complete courses towards a major subject, completing with a final capstone project in the third year with supervision from industry.

Compulsory courses
100-level

• DATA101 Introduction to Data Science
• COSC121 Introduction to Computer Programming
• COSC122 Introduction to Computer Science
• MATH102 Mathematics 1A
• SCIE101 Science, Society and Me

Plus complete the required 100-level courses from your chosen major.

200-level

• DATA201 Data Wrangling
• DATA203 Data Science Multivariable Methods
• COSC262 Algorithms
• PHIL240 Bioethics: Life, Death and Medicine
• STAT201 Applied Statistics OR STAT202 Regression Modelling

Plus complete the required 200-level courses from your chosen major.

300-level

• DATA301 Big Data Computing and Systems
• DATA303 Computational Data Methods
• STAT315 Multivariate Statistical Methods OR STAT318 Data Mining

Plus complete the required 300-level courses from your chosen major.

Major subjects

• Bioinformatics
• Business Analytics
• Computational Linguistics (not currently open to new enrolments)
• Data Science
• Population Health Data Science
• Spatial Data Science

Further study
UC offers postgraduate studies in Data Science:

• Bachelor of Science with Honours
• Postgraduate Certificate in Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science
• Master of Science

There are also specialist applied studies available:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Geospatial Data Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Data Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Geospatial Data Science
• Master of Applied Data Science
• Master of Geospatial Data Science

Careers

• Project work in your final year involves applying data science to create solutions.
• Gain skills in project implementation, research, critical analysis, problem-solving, and communication to discuss and explain data findings.
• Graduates will be ready to work in roles such as data scientist, analyst, software architect, IT consultant, business analyst, statistician, software developer, and more.