S2010 Bachelor of Applied Data Science

The course develops through theme studies in data challenges, techniques drawn from information technologies and mathematics, and applied studies. You will learn to apply the knowledge you gain in specialised information technology and mathematics studies to a series of projects. These skills will come together in a significant project unit in the third year of the course. You will also develop discipline specific skills in selected areas of study.

Part A. Data challenges
These studies will develop your analytical skills and advance your ability to apply key information technology and mathematical concepts and methods. These skills will be elaborated through studio-based learning using authentic case studies sourced from industry partners, and with examples drawn from STEM areas, business, law, the humanities and social sciences. Working in small teams or as individuals, you will realise the application of information technology and mathematical knowledge through authentic projects. Through designed experiences, you will learn to integrate a broad range of skills including collaborative work practices, communication, leadership and entrepreneurship to make you ready to approach the professions of the future.

Part B. Techniques for data science
Through this theme you will gain the technical foundation that underpins this program. You will acquire knowledge and skills in mathematics and the capacity to tackle challenging problems in a variety of situations. Through core data science studies, you will also attain the skills needed to effectively use, develop and manage complex data. These two areas are critical for tackling the diverse problems encountered in Part A of the course.

Part C. Applied studies
These studies will provide the foundation required to advance cross-disciplinary analytical thought. You will undertake a sequence of study in a discipline. The selection of studies available will ensure you can explore new and diverse areas and develop core strengths in studies that relate to data applications. In addition to the disciplinary expertise, you will develop an appreciation for the culture of your selected discipline, the development of ideas in a given subject area, and the contexts in which this is applied. Data applications relating to these subjects can then be incorporated through the learning experiences across Part A.

Part D. Free elective studies

This will enable you to further develop your technical skills or extend your knowledge in your selected applied studies. Alternatively you can select units from across the university in which you are eligible to enrol.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course is structured in four parts: Part A. Data Challenges (36 credit points), Part B. Techniques for data science (72 credit points), Part C. Applied studies (24 credit points) and Part D. Elective (12 credit points).

Rules

The course comprises 144 credit points of which 132 credit points are focused on Applied Data Science. No more than 10 units (60 credit points) are to be completed at Level 1 in the course.

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Data challenges (36 credit points)

You must complete the following units:

• ADS1001 Data challenges 1

• ADS1002 Data challenges 2

• ADS2001 Data challenges 3

• ADS2002 Data challenges 4

• ADS3001 Advanced data challenges (12 credit points)

Part B. Techniques for data science (72 credit points)

You must complete 72 credit points, comprising:

- the following units (36 credit points), and

-mathematical science units (36 credit points), depending on your course location

• FIT1045 Software development 1: Programming foundations

• FIT1062 Data management

• FIT2086 Modelling for data analysis

• FIT2132 Reasoning with data

• FIT3154 Advanced data analysis

• FIT3229 Bayesian modelling and inference

and

Clayton: Mathematical science units (36 credit points)

If you are a student undertaking studies at the Clayton campus, you must complete 36 credit points from the following units.

Note 1. You complete only one of MAT1830 or MTH1020.

Note 2. You complete MAT1830 if you have achieved a raw study score of at least 30 in VCE Specialist Mathematics units 3 and 4. You complete MTH1020 if you do not meet the above mathematics requirement.

• MAT1830 Discrete mathematics for computer science

• MTH1020 Analysis of change

• MTH1030 Techniques for modelling 

• MTH2019 Multivariate mathematics for data science

• MTH2051 Introduction to computational mathematics

• MTH3320 Computational linear algebra

• MTH3330 Optimisation and operations research 

Malaysia: Mathematical science units (36 credit points)

If you are a student undertaking studies at the Malaysia Campus, you complete the following units.

• ENG1090 Foundation mathematics

• ENG1005 Engineering mathematics

• MTH2019 Multivariate mathematics for data science

• MTH2051 Introduction to computational mathematics

• MTH3320 Computational linear algebra

• MTH3330 Optimisation and operations research

Part C. Applied studies (24 credit points)

You must complete 24 credit points of complementary studies from a defined discipline area listed below.

Note 1: You normally complete 12 credit points at Level 1 and 12 credit points at Levels 2, 3 or 4.

Note 2: If you are unable to enrol online in your applied studies units for first year via WES, please complete an online enrolment amendment form: https://forms.monash.edu/enrolment-amendment

Clayton:

Applied and statistical mathematics 

Option 1: You complete option 1 if you have achieved a raw study score of at least 30 in VCE Specialist Mathematics units 3 and 4. 

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-MTH2132 and STA1010

-6 credit points from either MTH2222 and MTH2225

-6  credit points from the remaining units 

• MTH2132 The nature and beauty of mathematics

• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

• MTH2032 Differential equations 

• MTH2222  Mathematics of uncertainty

• MTH2225 Mathematics of uncertainty (Advanced)

• MTH2232 Mathematical statistics

• MTH3241 Random processes in the sciences and engineering

Option 2: You complete option 2 f you do not meet the Mathematics requirement for option 1.

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-12 credit points from MAT1830, MTH2132 and STA1010

-6 credit points from either MTH2222 and MTH2225

-6  credit points from the remaining units 

• MAT1830 Discrete mathematics for computer science

• MTH2132 The nature and beauty of mathematics

• STA1010 Statistical methods for science

• MTH2222 Mathematics of uncertainty

• MTH2225 Mathematics of uncertainty (Advanced)

• MTH2232 Mathematical statistics

• MTH2032 Differential equations with modelling

• MTH3241 Random processes in the sciences and engineering

Astronomy

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-6 credit points from either ASP1010 or ASP1022 

-6 credit points from either PHS1011, PHS1001 or PHS1002 

-ASP2011 and ASP2062

• ASP1010 Earth to cosmos: Introductory astronomy

• ASP1022 Life in the universe: Astrobiology

• PHS1011 Classical physics and relativity

• PHS1001 Foundation physics

• PHS1002 Physics for engineering

• ASP2011 Astronomy

• ASP2062 Introduction to astrophysics

Biological science and genetics 

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-12 credit points of Level 1 units 

-12 credit points of either:

-12 credit points of Level 2 biology units - BIO2011 and BIO2040 or

-12 credit points of Level 2 genetics units - GEN2041 and GEN2052

Note: If you choose BIO1022 or BIO1042, note that only one of these units can be included in your 12 credit points.

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life

• BIO1022 Life on Earth

• BIO1042 Life in the environment

• BIO2011 Ecology and biodiversity

• BIO2040 Conservation biology

• GEN2041 Foundations of genetics

• GEN2052 Genomics and population genetics

Business analytics 

You must complete the following units:

• ETC1000 Business and economic statistics

• ETC1010 Introduction to data analysis

• ETC2420 Statistical thinking

• ETC3550 Applied forecasting

Chemical sciences

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-6 credit points from either CHM1011 or CHM1051 

-6 credit points from either CHM1022 or CHM1052

- CHM2911 and CHM2922

• CHM1011 Chemistry 1

• CHM1051 Chemistry 1 advanced

• CHM1022 Chemistry 2

• CHM1052 Chemistry 2 advanced

• CHM2911 Inorganic and organic chemistry

• CHM2922 Spectroscopy and analytical chemistry

Crime and society

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-ATS1421 and ATS1423

-12 credit points from the remaining units 

• ATS1421 Understanding crime

• ATS1423 Criminal justice in practice

• ATS2456 Cybercrime and cybersecurity

• ATS2458 Policing

• ATS2723 Social research methods

Cybersecurity

You must complete the following units:

Note: You can enrol in FIT1047 in your first year, FIT1093 at second year and then FIT2134 and FIT2173.

• FIT1047 Computing systems 1: Foundations and operations

• FIT1093 Cybersecurity tools and techniques

• FIT2134 Computing systems 2: Architecture and operating systems

• FIT2173 Software security

Digital media

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-12 credit points of Level 1 units 

-12 credit points of Level 2 units 

• ATS1119 Communicating in the digital era

• ATS1206 Media challenges

• ATS1279 Media and culture

• ATS2250 Communications and Culture in the global era  (not offered in 2026)

• ATS2280 Video games: Industry and culture

• ATS2324 Climate change communication

• ATS2910 Professional and academic presentation skills

Discrete Mathematics

Option 1 (24 credit points) 

You complete option 1 if you have achieved a raw study score of at least 30 in VCE Specialist Mathematics units 3 and 4.   

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-MTH2132

-6 credit points from either MTH2137 or MTH3137 

-6 credit points from either MTH2141 or MTH3141

-6 credit points from either MTH3150,  MTH3170 or MTH3175

• MTH2132 The nature and beauty of mathematics

• MTH2137 Number theory and cryptography

• MTH3137 Number theory and cryptography (Advanced)

• MTH2141 Algebra 1: Group theory

• MTH3141 Algebra 1: Group theory

• MTH3150 Algebra 2: Rings and fields 

• MTH3170 Network mathematics

• MTH3175 Network mathematics (Advanced)

Option 2 (24 credit points)

You complete option 2 if you do not meet the Mathematics requirement for option 1.

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-MAT1830 and MTH2132

-12 credit points from the following :

• MTH2137 or MTH3137 

• MTH2141 or MTH3141

• MTH3150,  MTH3170 or MTH3175

• MAT1830 Discrete mathematics for computer science

• MTH2132 The nature and beauty of mathematics

• MTH2137 Number theory and cryptography

• MTH3137 Number theory and cryptography (Advanced)

• MTH2141 Algebra 1: Group theory 

• MTH3141 Algebra 1: Group theory

• MTH3150 Algebra 2: Rings and fields

• MTH3170 Network mathematics

• MTH3175 Network mathematics (Advanced)

Drugs and society: An introduction to pharmacology

You must complete the following units:

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life

• BIO1022 Life on Earth

• PHY2011 Neuroscience of communication, sensory and control systems

• PHA2022 Drugs and society

Earth and atmospheric sciences

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-EAE1022

-6 credit points from either ATS1310 or EAE1011

-12 credit points from the remaining units 

• ATS1310 Extreme earth! The geography of disasters

• EAE1011 The Earth system: From the core to the atmosphere

• EAE1022 The Earth system: Changing environments and climates

• EAE2111 Introduction to climate science

• EAE2122 Introduction to atmospheric physics and dynamics

• EAE2322 Environmental earth science

• EAE2511 - Deep earth processes

• EAE2522 Earth surface dynamics

Economics

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-ECC1000

-6 credit points from either ECC1100 or ECX1200

-6 credit points from either ECC2000 or ECX2400

-6 credit points from either ECC2010 or ECX2300

• ECC1000 Principles of microeconomics

• ECC1100 Principles of macroeconomics

• ECX1200 Macroeconomics

• ECC2000 Intermediate Microeconomics

• ECX2400 Design and evaluation of economic, public, and social programs

• ECC2010 Intermediate Macroeconomics

• ECX2300 Crashes, crisis and macroeconomic policy 

Introduction to physiology

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-6 credit points from either BIO1011, CHM1011, CHM1051, PHS1001 or PHS1011 

-6 credit points from either BIO1022, CHM1022, CHM1052, PHS1022 or PHS1002

-PHY2011

-6 credit points from either PHY2032 or PHY2042 

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life

• CHM1011 Chemistry 1

• CHM1051 Chemistry 1 Advanced

• PHS1001 Foundation physics

• PHS1011 Classical physics and relativity

• BIO1022 Life on earth

• CHM1022 Chemistry 2

• CHM1052 Chemistry 2 Advanced

• PHS1022 Fields and quantum physics

• PHS1002 Physics for engineering

• PHY2011 Neuroscience of communication, sensory and control systems

• PHY2032 Human physiology: Hormonal and digestive systems

• PHY2042 Human physiology: Cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems

Language and society

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-ATS1338 and ATS1339

-12 credit points from the remaining units 

• ATS1338 Cracking the language code: English and beyond

• ATS1339 Linguistic structure and language diversity

• ATS2274 Languages, cultures and interaction in Asia

• ATS2668 Structure in the languages of the world

• ATS2669 Phonetics and phonology: The science of speech sounds

• ATS2671 Managing intercultural communication

• ATS2769 Englishes around the world

• ATS3325 Body talk: Gesture, gaze and sign language

Marketing science

You must complete the following units: 

• MKC1200 Principles of marketing

• MKC2130 Fundamentals of marketing analytics

• MKC2500 Marketing research analysis

• MKC3500 Advanced topics in marketing analytics

Physics 

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

• 6 credit points from either PHS1011 or PHS1001

• 6 credit points from either PHS1022 or PHS1002

• PHS2061 and PHS2081

• PHS1011 Classical physics and relativity

• PHS1001 Foundation physics 

• PHS1022 Fields and quantum physics

• PHS1002 Physics for engineering

• PHS2061 Quantum and thermal physics

• PHS2081 Atomic, nuclear and condensed matter physics

Social research

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-ATS1365 and ATS1366

-12 credit points from the remaining units 

• ATS1365 Introduction to sociology

• ATS1366 Big ideas for better futures

• ATS2560 Breaking binaries: How gender is lived and theorised

• ATS2561 Sex and the media

• ATS2716 Strangers or citizens? Migration, racisms and unequal worlds

• ATS2718 Love, families, and relationships

• ATS2723 Social research methods

• ATS2727 Men, masculinity and society

Software development

You must complete 24 credit points comprising:

-FIT1050

-18 credit points from the remaining units 

-FIT1050 Web fundamentals

• FIT2107 Software verification and validation

• FIT2175 Usability

• FIT2095 Full stack development

• FIT3077 Software architecture and design

• FIT3178 Mobile app development

Discipline areas - Malaysia:

Applied food science 

You must complete the following units:

• CHM1052 Chemistry 2 advanced

• CHM2962 Food chemistry

• FST1800 Fundamentals of food and sensory science

• FST2810 Food bioprocess technology

Environmental science 

You must complete the following units:

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life

• ENV1800 Environmental science: A Southeast Asian perspective

• BIO2810 Introduction to ecological applications

• ENV2726 Global conservation and biodiversity

Introduction to biotechnology

You must complete 24 credit points comprising: 

-12 credit points at level 1

-12 credit points at level 2

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life

• BIO1022 Life on Earth

• BTH1802 Trends of biotechnology

• BTH2820 Crop science

• GEN2041 Foundations of genetics

Introduction to forensic genetics

You must complete the following units:

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life

• BIO1022 Life on Earth

• GEN2041 Foundations of genetics

• GEN3051 Medical and forensic genetics

Introduction to health and human physiology

You must complete the following units:

• BIO1011 Blueprints for life 

• BIO1022 Life on Earth 

• PHY2810 Physiology of human body systems

• MBS2820 Physiology of human health

Part D. Free elective studies (12 credit points)

You must complete 12 credit points of free elective study 

Elective units may be chosen from the list of units from Parts B or C not already completed or from across the University as long as you have the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on admission to the units.

Free electives can be identified using the Advanced search tool in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3.

You may need permission from the owning faculty to enrol in some units taught by other faculties.