Bachelor Of Data Science

This data science degree provides the most up-to-date knowledge and techniques in this fast-evolving field. Become a skilled and effective analyst who can lead data-driven decision-making across a wide range of industries, being confident and capable to translate information into clear and meaningful insights.

Highlights

• This new course has been specifically designed and built from the ground up as a specialist data science degree – the only one of its kind in Queensland.

• Be at the forefront of one of, if not the most, highly-rated careers of contemporary times. 

• Develop the knowledge and skills demanded by employers in emergent roles. 

• Analyse and interrogate data across a multitude of industries to provide meaningful insights. 

• Learn from the researchers at the leading edge of this specialist field. 

Why choose this course?

Across the world, we are collecting unprecedented amounts of data. It’s the new currency. However, simply having access to that data means very little if we’re not able to derive meaningful insights from it.

We need skilled data scientists to understand and interpret the data; create and communicate meaningful insights; and use the data ethically and understand its limitations.

A significant and accelerating challenge for modern business is managing fast incoming, voluminous and varied data that are increasingly being relied on to make decisions. This course includes an entire unit addressing the emerging frameworks in modern data management. 

Outside the business world, data science is increasingly at the core of new scientific and technological breakthroughs. The structure of our data science course recognises the rapidly developing importance of data-driven discovery in science and technology by providing options to minor in complementary studies like Computational and Simulation Science, which will equip you to operate at the forefront of this field.

Data scientist, as a career, has grown by 492 per cent from 2015 to 2019 (Burning Glass Technologies, National Skills Commission Analysis, 2020). It is widely acknowledged as one of the most desirable careers, not just in Australia, but globally. 

Real-world learning

Real-world data science is frequently a collaborative effort, where the use of online collaborative tools including open source technologies for data processing and sharing play an important role.

You will be encouraged to become an independent learner through discussion, debate and interaction with peers and teaching staff, independent studies and self-reflection.

You will apply theoretical frameworks to real-world problems, so you can make clear connections between what is learned in the classroom and your future practice as a data science professional.

Learning opportunities and environments include: 

• use of industry case studies and data sets

• use of industry software applications and tools

• use of authentic assessment tasks 

• incorporation of industry-based projects 

• opportunities to engage with industry guest speakers and leading data science researchers in both face-to-face and online environments 

• availability of internships. 

Learn From The Best

As an acknowledged leader in data science research and through our Centre of Data Science, QUT is well-placed to provide you with the expertise at the forefront of this exciting discipline.

Your unit coordinators and lecturers in the course are also leading researchers in the Centre for Data Science.

You will be learning from the experts with extensive industry contacts and many years of real-world experience in solving complex challenges and problems. 

What To Expect

This course covers the theory and the practical tools for data acquisition, storage, management, processing, analysis and visualisation.? Ethical considerations, communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills are all given detailed coverage.

Your course progression has been carefully crafted to cater for the diversity of specialist mathematics skills, to scaffold your development in coding, particularly in data science-relevant languages, and to prepare you for a rewarding career in data science.

In addition, a suite of four-unit minor offerings is available so you can specialise in a number of complementary areas, including Optimisation and Stochastic Modelling, Computational and Simulation Science, and Information Systems.

In your third year, your studies will culminate in the Data Science Capstone Project, where you’ll work with an industry partner to solve a significant real-world problem using real-world data sets. This will synthesise your knowledge and techniques in solving complex authentic problems, and build your preparedness to enter the industry.

Data science is an ever-changing landscape and at the completion of this course, you’ll be ideally positioned to move with it, having developed a set of fundamental tools and techniques, and the critical thinking to play a leading role in transforming industry. 

Careers and outcomes

As a graduate, you will be an agile problem-solver, capable of tackling real-world problems by applying the insights gained from extracting knowledge from data.? Your comprehensive knowledge of data science tools and techniques will be employed to design new solutions that drive progress and innovation, guided at all times?by your appreciation of the ethical considerations concerning the use of data in decision-making.

You’ll be knowledgeable and experienced in selecting from, and applying, appropriate statistical,?computational?and modelling techniques including scalable approaches to big data and working with complex or unstructured data.

At the completion of this course, you will be confident in the use of appropriate tools to create pipelines for data acquisition, storage, management, processing,?analysis?and visualisation, and possess a deep understanding of the theoretical foundations underpinning each step. 

As a data science professional, your skills will be highly attuned, equipping you to effectively communicate your data-driven insights to broader audiences,?expert?and non-expert alike. You will be experienced at interacting effectively within and across teams, working independently, and appraising your own continuing professional development. 

Possible careers

• Analytics consultant

• Analytics manager

• Analytics programmer

• Biostatistician

• Business analyst

• Business intelligence specialist

• Business strategist

• Data analyst

• Data architect

• Data engineer

• Data scientist

• Data strategist

• Data systems developer

• Data-driven decision maker

• Energy auditor

• Information analyst

• Logistics analyst

• Management analyst

• Market analyst

• Performance analyst

• Predictive modeller

• Quantitative analyst

• Risk analyst

• Systems analyst

• Systems programmer