Master of

Data Science
Propel your career through world-class learning

1
 Looking for a future-oriented
career in a research or
corporate environment?
JCU’s 100% online Master of Data Science is
your ticket to a bigger career in one of the
fastest growing professions worldwide.

100% online learning – study to your

own timetable with no on-campus
classes or exams

Qualify sooner with one of Australia’s

fastest part-time Master of Data Science

Upskill now and capitalise on the

data science revolution

2
 The data science
landscape
Coined as a job title as recently as 2008, data
scientists are qualified professionals who can
analyse data to deliver valuable business insights.

Fast-forward to today, and data science is one of the

world’s fastest growing sectors.

Qualified data scientists are in strong demand across

every industry from health, research, marketing,
retail, finance, manufacturing, IT and user design to
professional and scientific services.

3
 Why earn your Master of Data Science?
A Master of Data Science from JCU Online will provide you with sophisticated
skills and knowledge that will open up a wealth of opportunities in today’s
data-driven world.

Whether you want to progress or kick-start your career in data science, a Master
of Data Science will set you apart.

As companies look to unlock the secrets hidden in data, demand for data
science professionals who can mine data to deliver valuable business solutions
will only increase.

Position yourself for success with a JCU Online Master of Data

Science – a higher degree that will put you at the forefront of
the data science revolution.

Masters-qualified data scientists command high salaries

Top-level data scientists earn a median salary of $240,000 p/a

The need for data scientists is global and intensifying

Projected annual demand for data scientists increase of 12% (near-term)

Roles are varied and in demand

Data scientist, business analyst and machine learning scientist, and more

4
 Need to know

A$3,100 per subject.

Fees FEE-HELP is available to eligible students.

24 – 32 months (duration depends on

Duration Recognition of Prior Learning)

12 – 16 subjects in total

Complete up to six subjects per year

Enrol in January, March, May, July,

Study periods September or October

First available study period for 2017 is October.

5
 Need to know

A Bachelor degree (whilst not a prerequisite for

Entry requirements entry, high numeracy skills equivalent to senior
level mathematics that includes algebra and
elementary differential calculus is assumed). OR

At least five years of relevant work experience

in a IT or Data Science related industry.
Industry experience will need to include some
background in computing, data analysis or
programming. Application based on relevant
industry experience must be supported by a
detailed CV and proof of work experience.

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds

must meet the English language proficiency
requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the
JCU Admissions Policy.

*JCU offers a specified online mathematics subject,

which can be completed prior to application if you
do not currently meet the mathematical entry
requirement level.

The duration of your course is dependent on your

Recognition of Prior previous education and work experience. If you
Learning (RPL) have completed a related undergraduate degree,
it could reduce the number of subjects you have
to study to gain your Masters degree. Speak with
your Enrolment Advisor to discuss your options.

6
 Course overview
JCU Online’s Master of Data Science is an innovative, fully online course that puts
professionals who recognise the power of data and numbers ahead of the pack, in
one of the world’s most in-demand sectors.

The program will provide you with sought-after, advanced skills in data science and
will prepare you for a future-focused career in a research or business environment.

Subjects
• Foundations for Data Science
Master

Graduate Diploma

Graduate Certificate

• Statistical Methods for Data Science

• Data Visualisation

• Database Systems

• Programming and Data Analytics Using Python

• Essential Mathematics for Data Scientists

• Introduction to Data Mining

• Advanced Statistical Methods for Data Scientists

• Data and Information: Management, Security,

Privacy and Ethics

• Big Data: Management and Processing

• Data Mining and Machine Learning

• Data Science and Strategic Decision-making

• Data Science Master Classes - Classes 1 and 2

• Data Science Capstone Project – Parts 1 and 2

7
 Subject descriptions
To complete JCU Online’s Master of Data Science, you will study up to 16 of the
following subjects.

Each subject runs for seven weeks, with six teaching periods per year.

These are the subjects you will study:

Statistical Methods for Data Science

Applying statistical methods the right way can
help data scientists make new discoveries and
help businesses and managers make better
decisions. Learn to apply statistical methods
correctly to understand, present and analyse
data, and to communicate statistical analysis to
specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Foundations for Data Science

Gain a practical overview of data science as a
discipline by exploring data visualisation, data
wrangling and tidying, algorithm analysis and
software practice. Learn to explain the most
common forms of data types and to represent
and pre-process different forms of data for
analysis and visualisation.

8
 Subject descriptions

Data Visualisation Essential Mathematics for

Advances in technology have made Data Scientists
it possible to collect data quickly at a This subject will provide students with
low cost. Learn to take advantage of the essential mathematical capabilities
the plethora of data to help business required of data scientists. Topics
leaders and policy-makers make covered include elements of discrete
informed decisions. Gain the skills to mathematics such as logics, sets, proof,
communicate data visually using the functions, relations, graphs and trees,
latest, cutting-edge techniques. as well as many elements of linear
algebra and how to successfully apply
Database Systems these to data science problems.

Understand the principles and

concepts of database systems and Programming and Data
their importance in data science. Analytics Using Python
Learn to critically appraise database A comprehensive introduction to the
management systems, formulate fundamental principles and practices
queries using database queries of computer programming in Python.
language and develop the techniques Learn to apply fundamental application
and tools to model, design and development skills in a modern
implement a database system programming environment, develop
using SQL. and utilise best-practice coding
techniques, and to understand and
apply Python libraries to data
science problems.

9
 Subject descriptions

Introduction to Data Mining Data and Information:

Using a combination of theory and Management, Security, Privacy
practice and real-data sets, explore a and Ethics
range of widely used algorithms and Explore and understand issues around
techniques to automatically extract database management, data security,
patterns from data. Learn a range of privacy and ethics. Analyse and apply
classical, yet powerful and popular the principles of data warehousing and
techniques for the most common distributed database management
descriptive and predictive tasks in data systems, construct and apply advanced
mining, including clustering, outlier data querying including data cubes
detection and classification. and OLAP, and critically evaluate the
principals of data integrity, sharing,
Advanced Statistical Methods security, ethics and privacy in data
for Data Scientists management and analysis.

Hone skills in advanced statistical

modelling. Learn how to use linear Big Data: Management and
modelling with multiple predictor Processing
variables, check model diagnostics Learn widely used tools and techniques
and develop a range of techniques for for high-performance and large-scale
coping with data that are temporally computing, with a focus on computer
or spatially correlated. Learn to models and software designed to
execute advanced statistical modelling handle big data sets in a distributed
theories and processes to solve and/or parallel fashion. This subject
real-world problems. has a particular focus on distributed
and parallel computing using
Map-Reduce /Hadoop and similar
models for processing big data sets.

10
 Subject descriptions

Data Mining and Machine Data Science Master

Learning Classes – Classes 1 and 2
Learn a range of algorithms based With data science transforming
on machine learning techniques for society and finding application in
advanced data analysis and mining. essentially all domains, these ‘master
Gain the skills to describe, choose and classes’ call upon leaders in the field
apply unsupervised machine learning to report on recent industry and/or
methods for descriptive data mining research advances. Apply your
tasks, such as clustering and outlier learning to understand and employ
detection, dimensionality reduction new data science skills, knowledge
via feature selection and supervised and techniques to solve problems
machine learning methods for predictive at a career-ready level.
data mining tasks, such as pattern
classification and regression. Data Science Capstone
Project – Parts 1 and 2
Data Science and Strategic
Capstone projects are the culmination
Decision-making of the Master of Data Science,
Learn to help businesses and other showcasing the skills and knowledge
organisations make use of the data they acquired throughout the degree to
collect by analysing trends, patterns and manage and solve complex data-
relationships. Develop the integrated driven, real-world problems relevant to
knowledge required to understand and industry, science, government or society
manage information resources, interpret in general. Students work under the
business statistics, develop practical guidance of staff members in industry,
decision-making models and integrate university or government departments
data science with associated accounting to create a portfolio that demonstrates
and finance tools. skills to potential employers.

11
 Why choose JCU Online?

Qualify from a world-class

online university
Ranked among the world’s top
universities, JCU helps students gain
the skills they need to propel their
careers and make a difference to their
local communities.
Receive personalised support
One of Australia’s fastest A dedicated Success Advisor will
part-time Masters be by your side from enrolment to
Unlike traditional on-campus degrees, graduation, assisting you throughout
at JCU Online you can complete six your program of study, and helping
subjects each year. This means you you stay motivated and on-track.
can complete more subjects per year,
making it one of the fastest Masters Learn from an exceptional
degrees in this field in Australia. teaching staff
JCU’s teaching staff have years of
Qualify-as-you-go study options experience in research, academia and
Build towards your Masters through importantly, industry. Delivered by
flexible entry points and ‘qualify- highly respected and award-winning
as-you-go’ through our nested academics*, this interdisciplinary
qualifications; gain a Graduate approach boosts your skills in real-
Certificate of Data Science after world situations. In a fast-paced field
completing four subjects, and a like data science, you can be confident
Graduate Diploma of Data Science JCU’s teaching staff have their fingers
after completing eight subjects. firmly on the pulse.

*https://www.jcu.edu.au/learning-and-teaching/awards-grants/awards-and-citations/
recipients-of-national-teaching-citations

12
 Online learning with a personal touch

Be personally supported while earning your degree

from JCU Online.

Success Advisors Build a professional network

Benefit from the support of a The opportunity to connect with

one-on-one Success Advisor during academics and fellow students
your online degree. – regardless of location – means
you’ll build a professional network,
Along with your tutors, your Success
without even having to leave your
Advisor is there for you from your
lounge room.
first day as a student with JCU Online.
They are readily available to help you
navigate your online degree and keep
you motivated throughout the duration
of your study.

Live chat sessions

Discuss a topic, ask for help,
collaborate with fellow students and
get the information and support you
need via live chat sessions with peers
and tutors – when and where it
suits you.

13
 Rankings

JCU is a world-class university. Our consistent ranking

among the world’s top universities guarantees that a
degree from JCU Online will help your CV shine.

JCU graduates go on to make a positive mark on

the world and achieve professional success through
further education.

When you qualify from JCU, you’ll join a long line of

graduates already achieving career success throughout
Australia and beyond.

JCU is ranked in the top 2% of

the world’s universities, according
to the Academic Ranking of
World Universities

JCU is ranked in the top 14

Australian universities

JCU has received 5 stars for job

success in the Good Universities
Guide for the past 6 years running

14
 Why study online?

JCU Online makes postgraduate study

achievable and manageable.

100% online Fast track your degree

JCU Online courses are delivered 100% JCU Online offers six study periods
online, on any device. Maintain work, each year, meaning you can complete
family and other commitments without your Masters in as little as two
the hassle of a fixed timetable, and years, part-time.
study whenever and wherever • Enrol in January, March, May, July,
suits you. September or November

Our online learning programs provide • Qualify sooner by completing up

to six subjects per year.
access to leading academics, cutting
edge research and ongoing support, Our innovative online structure means
with materials available at any time of you can focus on a single subject
day, from any location. at a time and still complete your
Masters ahead of most other
Enjoyable learning university programs.

JCU’s interactive, immersive online What’s more, you can enrol in a JCU
environment makes learning Online degree at any one of the six
enjoyable, no matter what topic study periods throughout the year.
you’re studying. We’re ready whenever you are!

Video, audio, forums, live chats and

practical exercises suit a wide range Study whenever, wherever
of personal learning styles and help suits you using any device
learning come to life.
Fit study around existing
commitments

Grow your career in

expanding data science field
15
 How to apply

Why wait to start building your brighter future?

Applying to undertake a Master of Data Science with JCU
Online is a simple, three-step process.

Step 1: Call or email us

1300 535 919

[email protected]

Call us or send us an email to speak to a

dedicated Enrolment Advisor who will:
• Discuss your career goals and if this
degree is the right choice for you
• Assist you with questions about fees,
subject selection and majors
• Help ensure your enrolment
experience is a smooth one.

Our team of Enrolment Advisors are available to chat at the

following times:
• Monday and Tuesday: 8am – 6pm (AEST)
• Wednesday and Thursday: 8am – 7pm (AEST)
• Friday: 8am – 5pm (AEST)

16
 Step 2: Gather your documents
• Transcripts and certificates
Documents to confirm any past studies
• Advanced standing documents (if
applicable)
Your CV, including details of relevant
work history and any contact details for
previous employers
• Proof of English language skills (if
applicable)
If you have completed Year 12 in
Australia, that’s usually all the evidence
you need.

Step 3: Apply online

Once you’ve completed Steps 1
and 2, you’re ready to apply online
using our straightforward process.

17