Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Data Science combines data science, mathematics, statistics and computer science to prepare students to analyse and interpret data for real-world decision-making.
• Students learn how to securely and ethically collect, store and process large quantities of data.
• The programme focuses not only on analysing data but also on communicating findings and turning data into actionable outcomes.
• Students undertake hands-on learning, including laboratory work and group projects.
• The final-year project/capstone provides experience applying data science to workplace-type problems, with industry supervision.
• UC has research centres working on applications such as Antarctic climate-change prediction, geospatial mapping for urban planning and virtual-reality simulation systems for firefighters.
• The degree is flexible because students select a major alongside the common Data Science core.
• Data science skills can be applied across technology, business, health, biological sciences, government, environmental and spatial fields.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The degree has a common Data Science core plus major-specific study.

100-level compulsory courses:

• DATA101 Introduction to Data Science
• COSC121 Introduction to Computer Programming
• COSC122 Introduction to Computer Science
• MATH102 Mathematics 1A
• SCIE101 Science, Society and Me
• Required 100-level courses from the selected major.

200-level compulsory courses:

• DATA201 Data Wrangling
• DATA203 Data Science Multivariable Methods
• COSC262 Algorithms
• PHIL240 Bioethics: Life, Death and Medicine
• STAT201 Applied Statistics or STAT202 Regression Modelling
• Required 200-level courses from the selected major.

300-level compulsory courses:

• DATA301 Big Data Computing and Systems
• DATA303 Computational Data Methods
• STAT315 Multivariate Statistical Methods or STAT318 Data Mining
• Required 300-level courses from the selected major.

The programme therefore covers topics including:

• Data science fundamentals
• Programming
• Computer science
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Data wrangling
• Algorithms
• Multivariable methods
• Regression modelling
• Bioethics
• Big-data computing
• Computational data methods
• Multivariate statistics
• Data mining
• Artificial intelligence
• Data visualisation
• Domain-specific data applications
• Research/project work.

Disciplines / Specialisations

UC currently lists six major subjects within the Bachelor of Data Science:

1. Bioinformatics
2. Business Analytics
3. Computational Linguistics
4. Data Science
5. Population Health Data Science
6. Spatial Data Science.

Programme Highlights

• 360-point Bachelor of Data Science.
• Three years full-time.
• February or July entry.
• Common core in data science, mathematics, statistics and computer science.
• Six listed major options, with Computational Linguistics currently closed to new enrolments.
• Hands-on laboratory and group-project experience.
• Final-year capstone/project work.
• Industry-supervised project experience.
• Study of ethical and secure data handling.
• Strong combination of technical and analytical skills.
• Applications across business, technology, health, biological sciences, government and environmental/spatial fields.
• Access to UC research activity involving advanced data-science applications.
• Progression options into postgraduate Data Science, Applied Data Science, Geospatial Data Science and related qualifications.

Career Outcomes

UC identifies a broad range of potential careers for BDataSc graduates, including:

• Data scientist
• Data analyst
• Software architect
• IT consultant
• Business analyst
• Statistician
• Software developer.

For the Data Science major specifically, possible career pathways include:

• Data scientist
• Business and technology analyst
• Data visualisation consultant
• Insights consultant.

Depending on the selected major, graduates can also work in:

• Bioinformatics
• Business intelligence
• Artificial intelligence
• Natural-language processing
• Population health
• Geospatial analysis
• Environmental data
• Government analytics
• Technology consulting
• Research and development.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The Bachelor of Data Science is a relatively modern UC qualification and remains closely aligned with emerging technology and data-intensive industries.

Current important points:

• Business Analytics is established as a BDataSc major and was introduced as a new major at UC.
• Computational Linguistics is currently not open to new enrolments according to the current qualification page.
• The final-year capstone/project is an important practical component.
• Students should have a reasonable interest in mathematics, statistics and computing, although UC does not state these as mandatory secondary-school subjects for general BDataSc entry.
• Students without a strong background can use UC introductory courses.
• Students who do not meet normal admission requirements can consider the Diploma in University Studies or Diploma in University Studies (International).

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa for full-time BDataSc study.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that this visa:

• Costs from NZ$850.
• Can be issued for up to 4 years.
• Has a current processing timeframe of 80% within 8.5 weeks.
• Requires an Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Requires sufficient funds to pay tuition, or an applicable scholarship.
• Requires sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable insurance.
• Requires applicants to meet applicable immigration requirements.
• Allows eligible students to study full-time in their approved course.

Living-fund requirement:

• NZ$20,000 for each year when studying at tertiary level for one year or more.
• NZ$1,667 per month when the study period is less than one year.