Master of Data Science
Course code I97
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About this Course
Data Science is an inter-disciplinary field, drawing on mathematics, statistics, and computer science, that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms and systems to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data.
This course provides the necessary foundations in the disciplines of mathematics, statistics and computer science, and develops student knowledge and skills in some of the key tools and techniques relevant to data science. It also pays specific attention to ethical issues surrounding the manner in which data is gathered, stored and analysed/utilised.
Data Science is a significant area of growth and potential employment in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level
This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) Award.
Course code I97
Entry requirements
ECU admission and English language requirements apply.
See Course Entry for further information.
Admissions
Fees
Domestic fee paying - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $33,300
See Fees and Scholarships for further information.
Availability & Campus
| Location | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Joondalup | FT PT | FT PT |
| Mount Lawley | ||
| South West | ||
| Online | FT PT | FT PT |
About this Course
Data Science is an inter-disciplinary field, drawing on mathematics, statistics, and computer science, that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms and systems to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data.
This course provides the necessary foundations in the disciplines of mathematics, statistics and computer science, and develops student knowledge and skills in some of the key tools and techniques relevant to data science. It also pays specific attention to ethical issues surrounding the manner in which data is gathered, stored and analysed/utilised.
Data Science is a significant area of growth and potential employment in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level
This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) Award.
Course code I97
CRICOS code 103286b
Entry requirements
ECU admission and English language requirements apply.
See Course Entry for further information.
Fees
International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $42,400
See Fees and Scholarships for further information.
Availability & Campus
| Location | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Joondalup | FT | FT |
| Mount Lawley | ||
| South West | ||
| Online | FT PT | FT PT |
Course Entry
Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.
-
Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Bachelor degree; or
- Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.
-
English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
- Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
- Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
- Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.
Course Entry
Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.
-
Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Bachelor degree; or
- Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.
-
English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
- Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
- Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
- Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.
Course Details
Semester availability
Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online
Semester 1: Study part-time at Joondalup or Online
Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online
Semester 2: Study part-time at Joondalup or Online
Course Structure
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| CSI6208 | Programming Principles | 20 |
| MAT5212 | Biostatistics | 20 |
| MAT6105 | Mathematical Fundamentals | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Students who commence the course midyear will complete their second and third semesters in reverse order. | ||
| MAT6104 | Applied Multivariate Statistics | 20 |
| SCI6120 | Science Communication and Ethics | 20 |
| CSI6209 | Artificial Intelligence | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| MAT6206 | Machine Learning | 20 |
| CSI6207 | Systems Analysis and Database Design | 20 |
| MAT6100 | Time Series Forecasting | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| SCI6108 ^ | Postgraduate Science Project | 60 |
| OR the following unit for students with an approved professional placement | ||
| SCI6700 ^ | Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics) | 60 |
^ Core Option
I97|3
For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.
Student handbookCourse notes
Important course notes
-
Students have the opportunity to spend their final semester undertaking a professional placement embedded within a host organisation. Successful applicants for this capstone placement opportunity will enrol in and complete SCI6700 Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics).
Attendance requirements
Students are required to complete a placement which is equivalent to one semester of full-time study. Whilst attendance is negotiated with the WIL host organisation, typically students will be expected to undertake a minimum of 300 hours over a maximum of 17 weeks. Typical full-time placements usually comprise 450 hours of professional placement.
Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required
Students, the WIL host organisation and the school's WIL Coordinator must complete a WIL documentation pack (which includes all required OSH and Risk Assessment documents) before the placement can commence. WIL host organisations may have additional clearance requirements of applicants, including evidence of police clearance, non-disclosure agreements or research ethics clearances.
There may also be vaccination or other similar requirements, including those imposed by government or third-party placement hosts, that apply to Professional Placements which form part of your course. Please consider this requirement before applying for Professional Placement and speak with the WIL and Course Coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete the Professional Placement unit if you are unable to meet the placement requirements.
Course learning outcomes
- Reflect critically on a complex body of data science knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery of professional practice.
- Apply advanced cognitive and technical skills to analyse complex concepts in authentic data science scenarios.
- Apply communication and collaboration skills in designing solutions to data sciences problems.
- Use high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and execute a substantial data science focused project.
Course Details
Semester availability
Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online
Semester 1: Study part-time Online
Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online
Semester 2: Study part-time Online
Course Structure
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| CSI6208 | Programming Principles | 20 |
| MAT5212 | Biostatistics | 20 |
| MAT6105 | Mathematical Fundamentals | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Students who commence the course midyear will complete their second and third semesters in reverse order. | ||
| MAT6104 | Applied Multivariate Statistics | 20 |
| SCI6120 | Science Communication and Ethics | 20 |
| CSI6209 | Artificial Intelligence | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| MAT6206 | Machine Learning | 20 |
| CSI6207 | Systems Analysis and Database Design | 20 |
| MAT6100 | Time Series Forecasting | 20 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| SCI6108 ^ | Postgraduate Science Project | 60 |
| OR the following unit for students with an approved professional placement | ||
| SCI6700 ^ | Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics) | 60 |
^ Core Option
I97|3
For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.
Student handbookCourse notes
Important course notes
-
Students have the opportunity to spend their final semester undertaking a professional placement embedded within a host organisation. Successful applicants for this capstone placement opportunity will enrol in and complete SCI6700 Professional Placement (Science and Mathematics).
Attendance requirements
Students are required to complete a placement which is equivalent to one semester of full-time study. Whilst attendance is negotiated with the WIL host organisation, typically students will be expected to undertake a minimum of 300 hours over a maximum of 17 weeks. Typical full-time placements usually comprise 450 hours of professional placement.
Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required
Students, the WIL host organisation and the school's WIL Coordinator must complete a WIL documentation pack (which includes all required OSH and Risk Assessment documents) before the placement can commence. WIL host organisations may have additional clearance requirements of applicants, including evidence of police clearance, non-disclosure agreements or research ethics clearances.
There may also be vaccination or other similar requirements, including those imposed by government or third-party placement hosts, that apply to Professional Placements which form part of your course. Please consider this requirement before applying for Professional Placement and speak with the WIL and Course Coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete the Professional Placement unit if you are unable to meet the placement requirements.
Course learning outcomes
- Reflect critically on a complex body of data science knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery of professional practice.
- Apply advanced cognitive and technical skills to analyse complex concepts in authentic data science scenarios.
- Apply communication and collaboration skills in designing solutions to data sciences problems.
- Use high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and execute a substantial data science focused project.
Fees and Scholarships
Fees
- AUD $33,300 - Domestic fee paying estimated 1st year indicative fee 1
Note
1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.
Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.
Scholarships
ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.
Find a scholarshipCareer Opportunities
This course provides students with the opportunity to engage in a semester-long work-orientated project or a work-integrated experience. This provides an excellent springboard for employment following this degree. Career pathways available to data science graduates include data scientist, data analyst, machine learning scientist, statistician, informatician, computational scientist. Graduates of this course will also have the option to pursue further study at the PhD level.
Possible future job titles
Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Informatician, Computational Scientist
Fees and Scholarships
Fees
- AUD $42,400 - International students estimated 1st year indicative fee 1
Note
1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, and has been calculated based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for each individual unit you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.
Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.
Scholarships
ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.
Find a scholarshipCareer Opportunities
This course provides students with the opportunity to engage in a semester-long work-orientated project or a work-integrated experience. This provides an excellent springboard for employment following this degree. Career pathways available to data science graduates include data scientist, data analyst, machine learning scientist, statistician, informatician, computational scientist. Graduates of this course will also have the option to pursue further study at the PhD level.
Possible future job titles
Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Informatician, Computational Scientist
Need some help deciding what to study?
Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.
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Explore your options
Explore your options through the following media
Quick guide to uni-speak
-
-
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.
-
ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.
-
CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.
-
A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.
-
Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.
-
If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.
-
-
-
If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.
Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.
-
Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.
-
A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.
-
We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.
-
These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.
-
An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.
-
Quick guide to uni-speak
-
-
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.
-
ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.
-
CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.
-
A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.
-
Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.
-
If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.
-
-
-
If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.
Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.
-
Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.
-
A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.
-
We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.
-
These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.
-
An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.
-
Do you have any questions about the Master of Data Science?
The Important Things
Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.
Course Entry
There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.
Fees & Scholarships
Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.
Applying
Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.
ECU Experience
Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.