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General Information

Overview

Harness the power of data for a career at the forefront of data-driven decision making and forecasting. Get hands-on with the tools used to manage big data sets and gain insight into how data is used to solve problems and even spot them before they arise. Make yourself an indispensable member of any business with roles in government, marketing, finance, healthcare and more.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Data Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Introduction to Programming
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS10009
Technology in an Indigenous Context Project
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS10025
Networks and Switching
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		TNE10006
Computer Systems
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS10004
Web Technology Project
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS10026
Object Oriented Programming
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS20007
Computing Technology Project A
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS40005
Computing Technology Project B
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS40006
Major units
Data Science Principles
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS10022
Database Design Project
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS20031
Cloud Computing Architecture
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS20019
Big Data Architecture and Application
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS20028
Computing Technology Innovation Project
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS30049
Data Visualisation
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		COS30045
Software Architectures and Design
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		SWE30003
Software Deployment and Evolution
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		SWE40006

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however will be shown on your transcript of results.

  • Accounting
  • Advertising
  • Animation
  • Biotechnology
  • Business Analysis
  • Business Analytics and Analysis
  • Cinema and Screen Studies
  • Climate and Social Justice
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing and Literature
  • Criminology
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Advertising Technology
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Ethics and Technology
  • Finance
  • Financial Planning
  • Games and Interactivity
  • Global Studies
  • History
  • Human Resource Management
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Information Systems
  • Journalism
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Media Industries
  • Neuroscience
  • Perspectives on Globalisation
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Politics, Power and Technology
  • Professional and Creative Writing
  • Professional Writing and Editing
  • Psychology
  • Public Relations
  • Screen Production
  • Screen Studies and Popular Culture
  • Social Media
  • Space Technology
View co-major units

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

  • Accounting
  • Advertising
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Aviation
  • Biotechnology
  • Branded Environments
  • Business Law
  • Chemistry
  • Cinema and Screen Studies
  • Communication Design
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminology
  • Data Analytics
  • Data Science
  • Design Principles and Processes
  • Digital Advertising Technology
  • Diversity and Multiculturalism
  • Editing
  • Engineering
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Film and Television Theory
  • Finance
  • Games and Interactivity
  • Health Statistics
  • Healthy Societies
  • Human Resource Management
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Interior Architecture
  • Interior Documentation and Construction
  • International Relations and Security
  • Journalism
  • Literature
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Management
  • Management for Health
  • Managing Information Systems
  • Marketing
  • Media Industries
  • Neuroscience
  • Nutrition
  • Photomedia
  • Physics
  • Public Relations
  • Social Impact
  • Social Media
View minor units

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for either 6 or 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

Units of study Unit code
Professional placement - Major (12 months)
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points 		WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Information and Communication Technology
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points 		ICT20013
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points 		WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Information and Communication Technology
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points 		ICT20014
or
Professional placement - Minor (6 months)
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points 		WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Information and Communication Technology
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points 		ICT20013

These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.

  • COS20001 User-Centred Design
  • COS30008 Data Structures and Patterns
  • COS30015 IT Security
  • COS30017 Software Development for Mobile Devices
  • COS30019 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
  • COS30041 Creating Secure and Scalable Software
  • COS40003 Concurrent Programming
  • ICT30015 Technology Internship
  • INF20016 Big Data Management
  • INF20031 Cybersecurity for Business
  • INF30004 Business Intelligence and Data Visualisation
  • MBP10001 Technology and Data Acquisition
  • MTH00007 Preliminary Mathematics
  • STA20008 Statistics for Forensics
  • SWE20001 Managing Software Projects
  • SWE20004 Technical Software Development
  • SWE30010 Managing IT Projects
  • SWE30011 IoT Programming
  • TNE10005 Network Administration
Find more detail about elective units

Outcomes and course rules

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Data Science, graduates will be able to: 

  • apply a broad and coherent knowledge of data science in diverse contexts and domains using critical thinking and judgment 

  • employ appropriate methods and contemporary tools used in different domains of data science 

  • communicate proficiently to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a team, and use the contemporary tools and practices of project management within project work 

  • apply professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, accountability and an awareness of professional practice in global and Indigenous contexts

  • utilise data analysis and decision-making methodologies to glean insights into industry relevant problems for the benefit of organisations 

  • reflect on personal performance, learning, and self-management processes as a means of continued professional development and lifelong learning. 

Career opportunities

Graduates of this course will have extensive skills in data science, particularly relating to medium- and large-scale projects. They will have developed experience in working on team projects and will have well-developed oral and written communication skills. Potential career options for the graduates of this course include data scientist, data engineer, machine learning engineer, data warehouse architect, and data analyst.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Data Science students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

  • eight [8] core units (100 credit points)

  • eight [8] units of study from the Data Science Major (100 credit points)

  • eight [8] units of other studies (100 credit points) comprising a co-major, minor, advanced minor or electives.

Students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement.

Students complete no more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level (i.e. Stage 1). A unit of study can only be counted once. Where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative unit.

Volume of learning

The Bachelor of Data Science of 300 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points (cps). A standard annual full-time load comprises 100 credit points and a part-time load comprises 50 credit points. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Data Science is typically 3 years.

Professional placements

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be required to change courses in order to complete a placement and should consider visa implications and extended study duration prior to applying.

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:

  • eight [8] Data Science Core units (100 credit points)

  • eight [8] units of study from the Data Science major (100 credit points)

  • four [4] units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points); and

  • six [6] units of other studies (75 credit points) comprising a minor, advanced minor or electives.
     

Students who undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising:

  • eight [8] Data Science Core units (100 credit points)

  • eight [8] units of study from the Data Science major (100 credit points)

  • two [2] units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points); and

  • seven [7] units of other studies (87.5 credit points) comprising a minor, advanced minor or electives.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Computer Science is 200 credit points (normally 16 units).

Professional Recognition

The Bachelor of Data Science is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) at the professional level

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Bachelor of Data Science?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

View course page