S3003 Bachelor of Applied Data Science Advanced (Honours)

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 will come together in the Honours research project unit in the fourth 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 Parts A and D.

Part D. Advanced practice 
This is the culmination of the course. You will synthesise the knowledge acquired during the program in an individual research project. You will be able to apply your skills to a real life project sourced from a variety of sectors. In addition, you will acquire valuable research skills and be able to demonstrate your capacity for research with some level of independence. The project will be supported by research training and you will expand your knowledge of data science by gaining exposure to cutting edge techniques through an advanced unit in data science.

Part E. Free elective 

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 structured in five parts: Part A. Data Challenges (36 credit points), Part B. Techniques for data science (72 credit points), Part C. Applied studies (24 credit points), Part D. Advanced Practice (36 credit points) and Part E. Free electives (24 credit points).

Rules

The course comprises 192 credit points of which 168 credit points are focussed on Applied Data Science. No more than 10 units (60 credit points) are to be completed at level 1 in the course.

In order to progress to the fourth year, you must normally complete 144 credit points comprising 132 credit points as indicated in parts A, B and C and 12 credit points from part E.  You must also achieve a minimum of a distinction average (70%) in 36 credit points of core level 3 units. If you do not meet the course requirements you will be awarded the Bachelor of Applied Data Science.

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)

• 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

Mathematical science units (36 credit points)

You must complete 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

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

Applied and statistical mathematics (24 credit points)

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 with modelling

• 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 if 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 Level 2 units 

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 cultures in the global era  (not offered in 2027)

• 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, crises 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 development

• FIT2095 Full stack development

• FIT2107 Software verification and validation

• FIT2175 Usability

• FIT3077 Software engineering: Architecture and design

• FIT3178 iOS app development

Part D. Advanced Practice (36 credit points)

You must complete the following units:

• ADS4001 Research methods in data science

• ADS4010 Frontiers of data science

• ADS4100 Industry research project (24 credit points)

Part E. Free elective study (24 points)

You must complete 24 credit points of electives.

- 12 credit points of electives completed during Years 1–3.
- 12 credit points of electives at Level 3 or higher, completed in Year 4 with the approval of the course director.

Elective units may be chosen from Parts B or C of the course, not already completed, or from across the University, as long as you meet the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on enrolment. Free electives can be identified using the Advanced Search tool in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of a unit is indicated by the first digit of its unit code; undergraduate units begin with the numbers 1, 2 or 3. Please note that you may require permission from the owning faculty to enrol in units offered by other faculties.

Twelve (12) credit points of elective units in your Honours year must be at Level 3 or higher, and approved for Year 4 by the Course Director.