Course details

Summary

If you have a mind for science and you’re keen to keep your options open, then the BSc is the degree for you. With many undergraduate majors in a wide range of subject areas, the BSc will allow you to incorporate different areas of interest and expertise. As well as strongly emphasizing transferable skills to improve your employment opportunities, this programme will expose you to cutting-edge technologies and provide a gateway to independent research. Throughout your undergraduate degree you’ll be taught by knowledgeable scientists, many of whom are major contributors in their field.

Data Science Major

On the world stage, data science is a rapidly growing field with an unmet demand for suitably qualified graduates. Big data is ubiquitous, but to extract information individuals require the ability to both manage − and analyse − the data.

New for 2017 (subject to CUAP approval), the Data Science major will provide initial preparation for students wishing to pursue a career in this area. It ties together courses from Computer Science and Statistics to provide the necessary background and training in these fields, along with Mathematics courses.

You'll learn the essentials of data science through the study of data management, algorithmic and data analysis. This strong, coherent background will make you immediately employable as a graduate, or prepare you for progression to postgraduate study.

As Data Science major, you'll learn how to:

• Process data and manage databases
• Bring together data from disparate sources
• Extract information and value from data
• Conduct statistical and predictive modelling
• Develop effective critical analysis, communication and reflective skills

You'll develop an enthusiasm for ideas, discovery and learning, and intellectual curiosity. You'll work independently and contribute to collaborative projects, and you'll become a responsible citizen in a data rich world.

There is a wealth of subjects on offer within the Bachelor of Science (BSc). The main areas include biological sciences, human sciences, earth sciences, computational sciences, physical sciences and health-orientated sciences. As well as skills that are part of your academic learning in your chosen major, you’ll have exposure to new technologies. This is the degree for you if you’re science-minded and want to keep your options open.

Career opportunities

There is currently an unmet demand for graduates in the field of data science. As a Data Science graduate, you will have a range of career opportunities available to you, including:

• Data analyst
• Data scientist
• Database administrator
• Developer
• Information officer
• Insight manager
• Statistician

Further study options

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Graduate Diploma in Science (GradDipSci)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Structure

In the 360 point major, you also have 105 points free to either deepen your knowledge of Statistics or Computer Science, or to broaden your knowledge in other areas.

75 points: STATS 101 or 108, STATS 125, COMPSCI 101 and 105, MATHS 108 or 150

90 points: STATS 201 or 208, STATS 210 or 225, STATS 220, COMPSCI 220 and 225, MATHS 208 or 250

45 points: STATS 330, 369, 380, or any other courses approved by the Head of Department

45 points: COMPSCI 320, 351, 367, or any other courses approved by the Head of Department

Entry criteria

Secondary school qualifications

You need to have one of the following: International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24. General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects with at least a 'C' grade or higher. General Studies or similar general papers cannot be included.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA, Pearson Education Limited and CIE taken outside of New Zealand.

English language requirements:

IELTS 6.0; TOEFL (iBT) 80; TOEFL (paper-based) 550; CAE or CPE 169; PTE 50; MELAB 80.