Thinking about studying a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash?
Look no further as we give you the run-down on everything you need to know about the degree, including the subjects, assessments, culture, staff and more!
Let’s get into it!
What is a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash?
Core Units for this Degree
How to Get into a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash
What’s the Teaching Format?
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?
What is a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash?
A Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash is a relatively new 3-year degree. Applying maths and computer science to the area of data science, this specialist degree equips you with technical modelling and programming skills to analyse data and create new results.
Creating future data scientists, research and analysis are key components of the degree that will help graduates to provide solutions to a wide range of problems.
Who should study a Bachelor of Applied Data Science?
This degree is well suited for students interested in numbers, passionate about programming and who enjoy analysing big data. If you’re studying Specialist Mathematics or IT, an Applied Data Science degree could be the one for you!
Honours and Masters
An opportunity for a one-year honours program is available after successfully completing the course.
To be eligible for entry into Bachelor of Applied Data (Honours), you must achieve a minimum distinction average (70%) in 36 points of core level 3 units.
If you’ve successfully completed Honours and are interested in further study, you may be eligible to complete the Master of Data Science or the Master of Mathematics.
Career Paths
A Bachelor of Applied Data Science is a broad degree that opens up lots of doors within cutting-edge industries. This includes engineering and robotics, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, energy and cybersecurity.
Just a few of the possible career paths include:
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- Data scientist
- Software engineer
- Quantitative analyst
- Business intelligence analyst
- Data Analyst
Core Units for this Degree
Students studying a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash are required to complete 5 core units of Data challenges throughout their degree:
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- ADS1001 – Data challenges 1
- ADS1002 – Data challenges 2
- ADS2001 – Data challenges 3
- ADS2002 – Data challenges 4
- ADS3001 – Advanced data challenges
These subjects are project-based units that expose students to scientific thinking, problem-solving and data analysis in interdisciplinary teams.
Alongside their core units, students also have mathematical science and information technology units. Random Processes in Sciences and Engineering introduces you to processes and statistics used in analysing biological data, physics, economics and engineering, while Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science will provide you with the mathematical skills you need to succeed in Computer Science and Software Engineering.
Are there any majors?
Unlike many other degrees, Applied Data Science at Monash doesn’t have any majors because of how specialised the degree already is. Instead, you can choose from a wide range of electives to form a minor, including subjects like Astronomy, Discrete Mathematics, Mobile Apps Development and Economics.
Internships
While the details are still a bit foggy, there’s the potential that Monash will provide in-house internships for students in their second semester of third year. Students can also search for work experience through the Monash Career Gateway!
How to Get into a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash
The ATAR guarantee for entry into a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash is 75 and above.
Assumed Knowledge and Prerequisite Subjects
You should have an assumed knowledge of English and Maths and must satisfy the following requirements:
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- English: Units 3 and 4 — a study score of at least 27 in English (EAL) or 25 in English other than EAL.
- Maths: Units 3 and 4 — a study score of at least 25 in Mathematical Methods (any) or Specialist Mathematics.
Pathway Programs
Don’t worry, your ATAR isn’t the only way you get into a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash. The alternative pathways of a VET Diploma are available for applicants with a minimum 70% average, while a VET Certificate IV is available for applicants with a minimum 80% average.
You can also get entry into a Bachelor of Applied Data Science through the Monash College Diploma of Science. At the end of the 18-month Diploma, you can transfer straight into your second year of a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash!
What scholarships are available?
With over 360 scholarships on offer, Monash has various schemes available for domestic and international students to support high-achieving students from underprivileged areas, Indigenous backgrounds, with disabilities and much more.
The Achieving Potential Scholarships for Distinction is valued up to $36,000 to support high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds to fund their studies
What’s the Teaching Format?
A Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash is delivered across two semesters per year:
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- Semester 1: Early March to early June
- Semester 2: Early August to early November
Class Structure
Classes for a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash are typically taught through lectures, tutorials, workshops and labs.
Lectures
Maths units typically have 3 x 2-hour lectures, while computer science has a 2-hour lecture per week. There are no lectures for Data Challenges. As Applied Data Science is combined with students from other related degrees, classes are pretty large and can have over 100 students.
Tutorials
Maths units typically have 2-hour tutorials per week, and these classes are quite intimate, usually containing around 10 to 15 students. Tutorials are a lot more interactive, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to work with your classmates and ask your tutor about any confusing topics.
Workshops
All students taking an Applied Data Science degree will have a 3-hour workshop per week for their Data challenges units.
Typically containing about 20 students, an hour of the workshop is usually spent going over content and learning techniques while the other two are spent working with your team members to organise your project. Computer science subjects also usually have a 2-hour workshop per week.
Labs
Labs occur once per week for applied units and typically run for 1-2 hours. These classes contain about 20 people and usually consist of solo and collaborative practicals.
How much time do you spend on campus?
If you study a Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash, you’ll usually take about 4 subjects per semester. That means you’re looking at roughly 15-20 contact hours a week.
Of course, you’re also expected to put extra hours into studying and revising your work!
What are the assessments like?
As a Bachelor of Applied Data Science is a hybrid of the IT and Science faculties, different subjects have different formats for their assessments.
For the Data Challenges units, the assessments include essays, weekly reflective journal entries and an individual and group report based on your project. If you don’t like exams, these subjects are perfect for you!
For maths core and applied units, assessments usually involve written assignments and problem-solving, as well as a closed book exam worth 60% of your grade.
For computer science units, some classes have written assignments, while others have individual and group practicals. These units also involve exams worth 60% that vary between being closed and open booked.
What skills do you develop?
A Bachelor of Applied Data Science at Monash is an excellent degree to develop cutting-edge mathematical and scientific skills to apply towards managing and analysing data.
This degree teaches you critical thinking and enterprising skills to develop effective solutions to a range of challenges and become a world-class problem solver.
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?
Faculty
Made up of both the Science and IT faculty at Monash, a Bachelor of Applied Data Science boasts an overall good experience with students, particularly by the lecturers and teaching assistants managing the maths subjects.
“As for computer science, the quality varies as there can be inconsistencies between teaching in class, but it’s still a good experience.” — Sai Kumar Murali Krishnan
As one of Australia’s leading universities, Monash has a fast-paced campus life with tons of societies to help you make friends and network with new people. As a new degree with a relatively small cohort, students studying a Bachelor of Applied Data Science can expect a friendly and non-competitive atmosphere where everyone is working together to figure out what’s going on!
Culture
The Monash Association of Coding and the Monash Data Science Society are two societies that offer both social and professional events for members to make new connections and learn about the industry.
“I’m a committee member for the Monash Association for Coding. It’s rewarding as you get to talk to people in the industry and connect with people who have similar career interests to you.” — Sai Kumar Murali Krishnan
If you’re more interested in the social side, Monash offers many special interest, spiritual, sporting and cultural clubs to allow you to connect with like-minded people and make friends beyond your classes.
Peer Mentoring
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the workload, peer mentoring is a great resource you can use to receive support from older students.
Whether it’s about managing your studies, navigating your way around campus, making friends or building your employment skills, peer mentors are more than happy to assist you with your transition to university!
Ashley Sullivan is a Content Writer for Art of Smart Education and is currently undertaking a double degree in Communications (Journalism) and a Bachelor of Laws at UTS. Ashley’s articles have been published in The Comma and Central News. She is a film, fashion and fiction enthusiast who enjoys learning about philosophy, psychology and unsolved mysteries in her spare time.
