BSc (Hons) Data Science

Overview

Data Science is a new and rapidly expanding discipline that uses scientific approaches, business understanding, data and artificial intelligence to extract knowledge and understanding from the vast quantities of data sources that exist.

Data scientists work with data, including datasets relating to climate change, health and social media to enhance insight, to innovate and to enable data driven decision-making.

This course teaches you the the best way to learn about data science as it aims to teach you both the theory and practical elements of the subject: manipulating and analysing big data sets to draw meaning and understanding that affect our everyday lives.

From vast unstructured data to data organised as a warehouse, data is considered of strategic importance to governments, global organisations, health service providers, financial organisations, sporting organisations, educational institutions, the charity and voluntary sector and businesses in general.

Furthermore, career opportunities in the field of data are expanding, companies are looking at ways to develop technology through machine learning and data-driven analytics and require fresh talent to deliver ground-breaking results.

The advantages of learning data science from undergraduate level is that you can master the fundamentals and gain that reward in the job market.

You will study a wide range of modules including data management, coding, statistical methods, data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data visualisation and data engineering.

Specialist courses are taught by expert staff who actively research applications of data science and you have an opportunity to undertake a data science research project in a topic that interests you.

Careers

What Can You Do With A Degree In Data Science?

The BSc (Hons) Data Science degree at Edinburgh Napier University provides a comprehensive education in various skills and knowledge areas, allowing you to tackle real-world problems and extract insights from data to drive business decisions and innovation.

You will learn about various programming languages and machine learning, as well as how to manipulate and analyse data. You’ll also learn how data can be visualised, how it’s managed within databases and how it’s kept safe through data ethics and privacy principles.

You will also be equipped with communication, presentation, problem solving and critical thinking skills to help you make a real impact on your organisation.

These various skills and knowledge areas will help you become a successful Data Scientist capable of solving real-world problems. 

There are many data science jobs available. With a data science degree you can expect to find employment in:

• Data science

• Software development

• Data analysis

• Systems analysis

• Data engineering 

• Machine learning engineering

• Machine learning scientist

• Statistician

• Other opportunities in technology-focused organisations

What Do Data Scientists Do?  

As a Data Scientist, you will use your expertise in mathematics, statistics, programming, and domain knowledge to analyze large and complex datasets.

You will explore data, identify patterns, and extract insights using statistical methods and visualization techniques. You might also develop and apply machine learning models to make predictions, classify data, or uncover hidden patterns.

On a daily basis, you may collaborate with teams, understanding business problems and framing them as data science challenges. Effective communication of findings through visualizations, reports, and presentations is also vital in a Data Scientist role.

You will deploy models into production systems, monitor their performance, and make necessary updates. Ultimately, data scientists leverage data to generate insights and support data-driven decision-making processes. Throughout your career you will continuously learn and stay updated with the latest advancements in the field.