FIT3221 Data science in practice: Project 2

This unit is the capstone unit in the Data Science practice stream and, for most students, the final stage of the Monash IT Industry Practice Program. You will make a substantial individual contribution to a student-led company through real projects, products or services that use data to generate insight, support decisions, develop models or communicate evidence.

At this stage, you are expected to operate with professional independence, contribute to company direction and outcomes, and demonstrate readiness for industry or further study. You will take responsibility for your own professional and academic development, shape the evidence you need to demonstrate capability, and contribute to the sustainability of the company through data analysis, modelling, visualisation, data governance, stakeholder engagement, mentoring, process improvement or technical delivery.

As this unit is an exit point from the practice stream for most students, you will also help ensure that the company is well positioned to continue progressing the data science work you have been engaged with. This may include documenting analytical decisions, improving data workflows, preparing handover materials, supporting continuity of data and model knowledge, mentoring successors, strengthening team practices, and identifying next steps for the company’s products, services or projects.

You will prepare a showcase portfolio that presents evidence of your capability, achievements, professional growth and individual contribution. This portfolio will support reflection on your development across the practice program and provide a curated record of your work that can be used when applying for industry roles, placements, graduate opportunities or future study.

Your work will require you to apply data science, data visualisation and machine learning practices with judgement, including attention to data quality, uncertainty, bias, interpretation, privacy, ethics, social impact, project constraints and stakeholder needs. Assessment is centred on an individual evidence-based portfolio that demonstrates your contribution, capability, judgement, growth, readiness for professional practice, and contribution to the ongoing sustainability of company work.