Data Science major
Strong computing and data analysis skills are becoming necessary in an ever-increasing number of disciplines and workplace contexts. This major focuses on data and scientific computation including technologies for efficient and effective data collection, conversion, analysis, visualisation, interpretation, storage, search, synthesis and provision through the internet. Many professional organisations use computing resources extensively for information analysis, storage, communication and distribution, providing you with many diverse career options as a graduate. The Data Science major provides students with practical computing and information technology skills.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) apply computational and statistical techniques to analyse diverse real-world datasets; (2) construct data science analyses in incremental and integrated stages; (3) explain ethical and social aspects and opportunities and constraints of contemporary data science practice.; (4) demonstrate ability to work effectively as a team member and as a team leader; (5) communicate data analytics processes and results clearly in oral and written formats in professional and lay terms; and (6) assess critically alternative solutions for the same data science project.
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Prerequisites
Mathematics Methods ATAR OR Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year.
Students without ATAR Mathematics will take two first-year mathematics units.
Data Science can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP004 Bachelor of Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Data Science is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- four Level 1 units
- three Level 2 units
- five Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2 |
Level 1
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CITS1401 | Computational Thinking with Python |
|
| S2 | CITS1402 | Relational Database Management Systems |
|
| S1 | PHIL1001 | Ethics for the Digital Age: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy |
|
| S1, S2 | STAT1400 | Statistics for Science |
Level 2
Take all units (18 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | CITS2402 | Introduction to Data Science | |
| S1 | STAT2401 | Analysis of Experiments | |
| S2 | STAT2402 | Analysis of Observations |
Level 3
Take all units (30 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | CITS3200 | Professional Computing |
|
| S1 | CITS3401 | Data Warehousing | |
| S1 | CITS3403 | Agile Web Development | |
| S2 | STAT3064 | Statistical Learning | |
| S1 | STAT3405 | Introduction to Bayesian Computing and Statistics |
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Data Science degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science course.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Data Science degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Science course.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .