Data Science (PGDipSc)

The postgraduate diploma in science in the field of data science introduces candidates to the practice of data science covering the scientific foundation, programming skills, domain-specific data analytics and ethical and legal frameworks, through online lectures. 

Overview

The field of data science is an inherently multidisciplinary field, with professionals across the humanities, health sciences, commerce, science and law all requiring an understanding of various mathematical and statistical data analysis techniques and the ability to make use of machine learning tools and computational techniques.

This programme will provide students with these essential skills as well expose them to the ethical and legal considerations that must be considered when working with data. The programme also provides a set of electives that allow students to explore the techniques, data characteristics, constraints and tools in various disciplines.

The programme is designed to support students from all backgrounds, with no Computer Science or university-level Mathematics required.

Career Opportunities

• Data Science is increasingly employed by professionals in all fields. Graduates of the programme can find data-orientated roles across multiple sectors including healthcare, finance, law, etc.

Curriculum

• The programme requires students to take 4 compulsory courses, and select 5 elective courses for a total of 120 credits. 

The following courses are available in the programme:
Compulsory courses:

• Programming for Data Scientists (15 Credits)
• Mathematical and Statistical Foundations of Data Science (15 Credits)
• Applied Machine Learning (15 Credits)
• Data Science in Practice (15 Credits)

Elective Courses:

• Applications of Machine Learning in Chemistry (12 Credits)
• Health Analytics (12 Credits)
• Data Science in Education (12 Credits)
• Visualising African Societies with Data (12 Credits)
• Social Media Analysis in and for the Global South (12 Credits)
• Spatio-temporal Data Analytics (12 Credits)

Entry Requirements

• Applicants are required to have a Bachelor’s degree or NQF level 7 qualification.
• Applicants must have mathematics equivalent to above 60% in mathematics at matric level.

University Application Process

• Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process. Refer to Wits Postgraduate Online Applications Guide for detailed guidelines. 
• Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
• Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
• Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.