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MJRU-DATSI

Data Science

Undergraduate major

Find the key to innovation, by analysing big data to predict future trends and inform industry decisions.

See full course structure
  • ATAR
    Minimum ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Data Science Major (BSc Science)
  • Credit
    200
See full course structure

Check the application deadline for the parent course

See full course structure

Why study Data Science at Curtin?

Cutting-edge

Graduate ready to work in environments where research and discovery abound.

Broad career options

This major can be taken as part of a double degree.

Top 1 %

Curtin is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022.

Data Science

Outline

Outline

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’ll 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.

See our handbook for more course information.

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.

What jobs can the Data Science Major (BSc Science) lead to?

Careers

  • Data analyst
  • Data scientist

Industries

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

Further study

What you'll learn

  • have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in Data Science that is typically at a level that, whilst supported by advanced textbooks, includes some aspects that will be informed by knowledge of the forefront of Data Science, GC1
  • can apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to Data Science, and have competencies typically demonstrated through devising and sustaining arguments (to both specialist and non-specialist audiences) and solving problems within Data Science, GC2
  • understand the constructs of the scientific method and apply these principles in Data Science using digital technologies, GC3
  • can gather and interpret relevant data within Data Science to inform judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific, or ethical issues, including being aware of the diversity of international perspectives associated with Data Science, and how these impact upon the practice of Data Science, GC4
  • understand and appreciate cultural diversity and how it impacts on the practice of Data Science, GC5
  • display a high standard of professional behaviour, including effective time management, both independently and as a team member, GC6

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • UniReady

    If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

  • Certificate IV + English Competency

    The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

  • STAT entry

    STAT is not accepted for entry, but may be used to demonstrate English competency requirements. 

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Other requirements and notes for this course

Admission criteria may be different if you are studying this major as part of a double degree. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    STAT is not accepted for entry, but may be used to demonstrate English competency requirements. 

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Admission criteria may be different if you are studying this major as part of a double degree. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    AQF Diploma; or AQF Advanced Diploma AND satisfied the prerequisite. The Maths Methods prerequisite can be met with: Maths Methods ATAR; or MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics or MATH1005 Pre-Calculus, and MATH1014 Foundations of Calculus OR TAFE Advanced Diploma with suitable modules including Calculus.

  • STAT entry

    STAT is not accepted for entry, but may be used to demonstrate English competency requirements. 

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Admission criteria may be different if you are studying this major as part of a double degree. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  • attained an ATAR of 80 and met the prerequisites; or
  • if you have studied Maths Applications or equivalent:
    • completed 100 credits within one semester, with a semester weighted average (SWA) of 65% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR or higher; or
  • if you have studied Maths Methods or equivalent:
    • completed 100 credits within one semester, with an SWA of 60% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR or higher; or
  • completed 200 credits with a course weighted average (CWA) of 55% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR or higher; or
  • completed 400 credits with a CWA of 50% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR or higher.

The Maths Methods prerequisite can be met with:

  • Maths Methods ATAR; or
  • MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics or MATH1005 Pre-Calculus (12.5 credits); and
  • MATH1014 Foundations of Calculus.

Higher education course switcher criteria

To switch into this course from another higher education course, you need to have:

  • attained an ATAR of 80 plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR; or
  • if you have studied Maths Applications or equivalent:
    • completed 100 credits within one semester, with a semester weighted average (SWA) of 65% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR or higher; or
  • if you have studied Maths Methods or equivalent:
    • completed 100 credits within one semester, with an SWA of 60% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR or higher; or
  • completed 200 credits with a course weighted average (CWA) of 55% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR or higher; or
  • completed 400 credits with a CWA of 50% of higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR or higher.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Admission criteria may be different if you are studying this major as part of a double degree. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool
Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and charges

Please view the Bachelor of Science (Science) degree for indicative fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

How to apply

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