Master of Data Science (Professional)

James Cook University

CRICOS Institution Code 00117J

Duration

104 weeks

Delivery

This degree is broken up into twelve study periods. Students must complete an additional subject externally (online) in specified study periods throughout the course duration, in order to complete sixteen subjects in two, full-time years of study.

Study Load

Full time / Part time

Intakes

Cairns: February, September / Brisbane: February, September

Course Overview

About This Course

JCU students have the advantage of learning how to apply data science skills to tropical, regional, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts. Benefit from industry expertise with courses taught by data scientists, SAS partnership and certification, and access to the SAS data Science Academy. Learn to exercise your professional judgment to suit specific circumstances and have the opportunity to complete a substantial research-based project. Your capstone project will allow you to build a portfolio to showcase your expertise. Upon graduating, you will be across recent developments and modern challenges in data science and equipped with skills in key areas including machine learning, data mining, algorithm development, and advanced modelling. You will have senior industry contacts, experience with real-world projects, and a foundational understanding of technology that allows you to adapt to every innovation. You will know when and how to apply computing languages and computational tools for data acquisition, queries, management, analysis, and visualisation. You'll experience an innovative delivery method - this degree is broken up into twelve study periods. Students must complete an additional subject externally (online) in specified study periods throughout the course duration, in order to complete sixteen subjects in two, full-time years of study.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Brisbane

349 Queen St, BRISBANE, QLD 4000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Provider's Published Fee

$36,491 per year (tuition fee)

Duration

104 weeks

Intakes

Cairns: February, September / Brisbane: February, September

Study Mode

Full time / Part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students:

AQF level 7 bachelor degree; or minimum five years relevant industry experience in IT or Data Science/Data Analytics; or equivalent

International Students:

AQF level 7 bachelor degree; or minimum five years relevant industry experience in IT or Data Science/Data Analytics; or equivalent
English language requirements: Band 2
If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course

Additional Requirements:

Mathematics B (or equivalent that includes algebra and elementary differential calculus) together with some background in computing, data analysis or programming is assumed. Admission based on relevant industry experience must be supported by a detailed CV and proof of work experience (e.g. a letter from an employer detailing the position and job description)
Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of ”Band 2” – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy
Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree; or
Five (5) years or more relevant industry experience in IT or Data Science/Data Analytics; or
Other qualifications or practical experience recognised by the Dean, College of Science and Engineering as equivalent to the above
Entry requirements for this course are consistent with the Pathways to Qualifications in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF level 9) Guidelines for Masters degrees

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

JCU Data Science (Professional) graduates are highly skilled specialists with invaluable professional expertise.
Graduates benefit from rapidly increasing job openings across the data industry and a data-driven future.
You can apply data science to industrial, environmental, cultural, societal, and agricultural projects.
You could find work as a data scientist, data engineer, data analyst, data architect, visualisation specialist or statistician.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Computer Society (ACS)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

ACS

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units14 units

MA5800

Foundations for Data Science

MA5820

Statistical Methods for Data Scientists

MA5830

Data Visualisation

CP5633

Database Modelling

CP5639

Problem Solving and Programming I

MA5810

Introduction to Data Mining

MA5821

Visual Analytics for Data Scientists using SAS

MA5851

Data Science Master Class 1

MA5831

Advanced Data Management and Analysis using SAS

MA5840

Data Science and Strategic Decision Making for Business

CP5806

Data Information: Management, Security, Privacy and Ethics

MA5852

Data Science Master Class 2

MA5832

Data Mining and Machine Learning

EG5300

Postgraduate Internship

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What work-integrated learning is required in this course?

This course requires work-integrated learning (WIL) activities, such as placements, fieldwork, internships or industry-partnered projects. During the course, you will be required to complete a minimum of 200 hours of WIL.

What are the entry requirements for the Master of Data Science (Professional)?

To be eligible for entry, you need an AQF level 7 bachelor degree, or a minimum of five years relevant industry experience in IT or Data Science/Data Analytics, or equivalent. If English is not your native language, you must also meet the Band 2 English language requirements.

How is the Master of Data Science (Professional) structured and delivered?

What programming languages and tools will I learn during this course?

Students have hands-on experience working with a range of programming languages such as Python, R, Cloud Computation (Amazon Web Services) and SAS. The course also includes a SAS partnership and certification, and access to the SAS Data Science Academy.

What are the fees for the Master of Data Science (Professional)?

The estimated annual tuition fee is AUD $38,365, plus a Student Services and Amenities Fee payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year. This is the indicative annual cost for a full-time study load and fees are reviewed annually and subject to change. Scholarships and financial aid are available for eligible students.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

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Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Typical Salary (AUD)

Entry-level (0-2 years)$70,000 – $90,000/yr

Early Career (2-5 years)$90,000 – $115,000/yr

Mid-Level (5-10 years)$115,000 – $160,000/yr

Career Paths

Data Scientist
Data Analyst
Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst
Machine Learning Engineer
Data Engineer

Key Skills

Programming in Python and R for data analysis, modelling, and automation
SQL and database querying for data extraction and management
Machine learning algorithm development and model training
Statistical analysis and hypothesis testing
Data visualisation using tools such as Tableau and Power BI

Full course overview

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