The MDS expands your knowledge of the analytical, organisational and computational aspects of data. You learn to manage data and gain an understanding of its impact on society. The MDS caters to students from a variety of backgrounds by including foundation units in programming, databases and maths or statistics. However, if you have this background from previous studies or work experience, you may accelerate your study with an exemption from these units, or choose to take more data science electives. The core coursework covers data science objectives, data analysis and data management. You then select data science electives such as applied data analysis, visualisation, data pre-processing, big data handling and data in society. You can also choose to take the Advanced Data Analytics stream where you build deeper skills in data analytics and machine learning. Our highly regarded faculty takes great pride in developing the most up-to-date material while maintaining a solid core of established theory and platforms, including Python and R (two of the most popular open-source programming languages for data analysis), Hadoop and Spark (for distributed processing). You also gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art tools and get exposure to key industry players.

Entry level 1: Duration: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time (96 points to complete) An Australian undergraduate degree, not necessarily in IT, with at least a 60% average, or qualification deemed by the faculty to be a satisfactory equivalent. Entry level 2: Duration: 1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time (72 points to complete) An Australian undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline relating to IT, or a business, engineering or science degree with an IT major including programming, databases and mathematics, with at least a 60% average, or qualification deemed by the faculty to be a satisfactory equivalent. or A four-year Australian honours degree with a research thesis consisting of at least 37.5% of a one year full time load and with at least a pass a 60% average, or qualification deemed by the faculty to be a satisfactory equivalent. Entry level 3: Duration: 1 years full-time, 2 years part-time (48 points to complete) A four-year Australian honours degree in a cognate discipline relating to IT, or a business, science or engineering degree with an IT major including programming, databases and mathematics, with a research thesis consisting of at least 37.5% of a one year full time load and with at least a 60% average, or qualification deemed by the faculty to be a satisfactory equivalent.