Master of

Data Science
and Decisions
A global career at the forefront of Big Data.
 Become the
problem solver.
We now live in the Big Data Era. Data is collected everywhere and in
immense detail. Our world contains an unimaginably vast amount
of digital information. Extracting meaning from this data can drive
business forward, enable next-generation scientific breakthroughs
and produce benefits that make a positive difference in our world. But
it is a challenging task which requires strong skills and training.

Data Scientists are the people with that expertise, which explains why
they have become key players in today’s job market.

Prepare yourself for excellent employment opportunities in this fast-

growing area with UNSW’s Master of Data Science and Decisions.
From industries as varied as health, defence, finance, transport and
logistics, to agriculture, media and technology, there is a growing
reliance on data science professionals to deliver meaningful
business insights.

The UNSW Master of Data Science and Decisions gives you broad
expertise within the data science framework. You’ll consolidate your
skills across three key areas: mathematics and statistics; computer
science; and economics; thus enhancing your value in the workplace.

You’ll become the problem-solver who can address business

challenges across the spectrum of an organisation.

This postgraduate degree is taught by leading minds from UNSW's

award-winning School of Mathematics & Statistics in the Faculty
of Science, the School of Computer Science in the Faculty of
Engineering and the School of Economics in the Faculty of Business.
At our diverse and inclusive campus, you will build valuable
relationships with academics and your student peers.

UNSW’s Master of Data Science and Decisions will place you directly
on the path to great employment opportunities and salary potential in
tomorrow’s workforce.

Dr Gery Geneens
Director Postgraduate Studies,
School of Mathematics & Statistics

2
Tomorrow’s business
is built on data.
As the ‘Big Data’ boom rolls on, your skills will be central You only have to look at the large number of employment
to a range of roles in information-rich industries including opportunities for Data Scientists advertised on a daily basis
internet search, fraud detection, targeted advertising, and the generous salary these roles command to see the
logistics planning, speech recognition, image analysis, growing demand in this field. Data Scientist has held the #1
genetic risk prediction, virtual reality, customer loyalty, job ranking (US) for the last three years for number of job
product development and autonomous vehicles. There are openings, salary and overall job satisfaction.
many more awaiting development in the future!

Specialise across three key pillars

Statistics Computer Science Economics

Who is the Master of

Data Science & Decisions for?

Graduating Computer Science, Statistics or

STEM students Business Analytics professionals
If you've recently graduated with a Bachelor of Mathematics; If you have industry experience in one of these areas,
a Bachelor of Science (mathematics, statistics or computer expand your skills and knowledge to put yourself in a
science major); or a Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions; winning position. You'll be a highly valued employee as
this degree is a great next step on your professional journey. you will speak everyone's language and provide effective
communication across diverse teams.

3
 Elective courses
Program
Outline 6 Units of Credit each.

Database Systems

This course will teach you data modelling, principles of database

design, data manipulation languages and database application
techniques. It also includes an introduction to DBMS internals
and advanced databases. In the lab you'll learn the design and
implementation of a database application using SQL and
stored procedures.

Data Visualisation

An introduction to statistical and visualisation tools for the

exploratory analysis of data. You’ll learn what makes an effective
data visualisation and how to create interactive data visualisations.
There will be a strong focus on developing storytelling skills where
you'll learn to combine data, its visualisation and a narrative to
create a powerful story to drive change.

Fundamentals of Data Science

Masters level requires A broad overview of Data Science in the modern world. You'll study
96 Units of Credit (UoC) the fundamentals of Data Science as it is applied in Computer
for completion. Science, Economics and Mathematics and Statistics. This course
will cover topics such as databases, data analytics, data mining,
You can choose to exit Bayesian statistics, statistical software, econometrics, machine
at Graduate Certificate learning and business forecasting.
level (24 UoC) or
Graduate Diploma Business Economics
level (48 UoC).
An introduction to economic analysis and policy, in particular
decision-making in business. You'll learn tools to use economic
principles in decision-making and gain an understanding of the
broader economic environment in which business decisions
are made.

Economics of Strategy

This course covers the fundamentals of Game Theory and its

applications. Game Theory is a revolutionary way of analysing
strategic interactive situations. It is crucial to the understanding of
market competition among large firms, the designing of incentive
contracts, bidding at auctions, bargaining, and other similar
problems central to economics and business.

Multivariate Analysis

This course offers a methodological background in Multivariate

Analysis as a backbone of Applied Statistics. It introduces
multivariate techniques including principal component analysis;
canonical correlation analysis; cluster analysis; factor analysis and
discriminant analysis.

4
Statistical Inference

This course presents general interference theory based on

maximum likelihood and Bayes methods. Estimation, confidence set
construction and hypothesis testing are discussed within a decision- Specialisations
theoretic framework. You will choose from one of the
following specialisations.
One of the following: 24 UoC each

Foundations of Computer Science

Computational Data
Topics include an Introduction to set and relation theory; Science and Decisions
Propositional logic and boolean algebras; Induction, recursion and Specialise further in
recurrence relations; Discrete probability; Graph theory; and Trees for computational methods to
algorithmic applications. manipulate, understand and
predict data.
Or
Principles of Programming Behavioural Data Science
and Decisions
This initial programming course provides an introduction to
Specialise further in interpreting,
programming in Python and covers essentials including Program
understanding and predicting data
design and implementation in a high-level language; Fundamental
for use in business.
programming techniques, data structures and algorithms; and
Debugging and testing. Business Data Science
and Decisions

One of the following: Specialise further in methods of

interpreting, understanding
Machine Learning and Data Mining
and predicting data for use
Machine learning (ML) is the algorithmic approach to learning in business.
from data. This course provides an introduction to core ideas and
techniques, covering theoretical foundations, algorithms, and Quantitative Data
practical methodology. Undertake hands-on experience on applying
Science and Decisions
ML algorithms to real problems and datasets. Specialise further in mathematical
and statistical methods to
Or
interpret, understand and
Data Mining and its Business Applications predict data.
Increasingly, organisations need to analyse enormous data sets. In
response to this, a range of statistical methods and tools have been
developed to allow accurate and quick analysis. You'll learn how Prescribed electives
to choose the right data mining tool for your data. Case studies of Choose 6 UoC from
industry-based data mining projects will provide real-world insight other specialisations.
and the most up to date data mining software is used to illustrate
the methods.

5
What makes
us different
> UNSW School of Mathematics & Statistics -
#2 in Australia QS 2020 Subject Rankings

Awarded the maximum QS #1 institution attended by

Five Star Plus rating in 2019 Australian startup founders
Startup Muster 2018

43rd in the 2020 QS

World University Rankings Member of the prestigious
Group of Eight

27th in the world for

employer reputation
2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings

6
 Ready to take
When the next step?
—
Contact us at [email protected]
with Master of Data Science and Decisions in the
• From Term 1,
subject line.
February 2021.
Call us on 1300 864 679.
• 2 years full-time
We can make an appointment for you to talk with
• May also be taken a course specialist.
part-time

@unsw

@unsw

/unsw

unswsydney
Where
CRICOS Provider Code 00098G. UNSW reserves the right to change
— any information herein without any prior notice. The information in
this publication is correct at July 2020. The university reserves the
right to alter any program or admissions requirements herein without
UNSW Kensington campus any prior notice.