Data scientists collate and analyse large volumes of data and communicate their findings to a range of audiences. Their ability to use big data to predict future trends is becoming an essential part of decision making in business and government.

Data is being generated at an unprecedented rate and its availability will continue to increase. Every industry is using large volumes of data – from predicting weather patterns and optimising harvesting in agriculture, to improving patient diagnosis in the health industry, to enhancing the management of remote infrastructure in mining.

This is a multidisciplinary major. It combines studies in computing, emerging internet technologies, media and statistics. You will gain a foundation in programming and statistics, which will form the basis of higher-level studies in data mining, data security and computer simulation.

This course builds your capacity to extract, analyse and visualise large volumes of data and communicate analytical outcomes to a range of audiences. You will graduate equipped to enter a range of industries where data science is key to innovation.

In keeping with Curtin’s strong links with industry, this course has an industry advisory group that provides guidance about the course content. The group comprises representatives from the resources sector, management consulting, data analytics services and spatial data product developers, and enterprises such as Optika Solutions and PwC.

This major sits within the Bachelor of Science (Science) degree. It can also be studied as part of the Bachelor of Advanced Science course.

Why study

The development of this major is strongly linked with the recent developments in the big data space, including the Curtin Institute for Computation (CIC) research hub and Innovation Central Perth, which is facilitating university–industry links in education as well as in research.

How this course will make you industry ready

Curtin's industry links enables this course to benefit from an industry advisory group  providing guidance on course content. The advisory group comprises representatives from the resources sector, management consulting, data analytics services and spatial data product developers, and enterprises such as Optika Solutions and PwC.

Careers

• Data analyst
• Data scientist

Industries

• Agriculture and environment
• Arts
• Economics, business, banking and finance
• Geographic information science
• Government
• Health science
• Media
• Supply chain logistics
• Technology