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An online Master of Data Science course is also available.
Entry requirements and pathways
Academic entry requirement
Prerequisites
Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent).
Note: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing) is the recognition of prior study or learning that can be counted towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of subjects required to complete your course. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your previous study and the number of subjects completed.
The University will designate courses where there is only admission into Year 1 of the course. In these cases, there is limited credit. See list of limited entry courses.
To check if this course is available for credit, please visit the Advanced standing webpage.
Pathways
There are currently no alternative Pathway courses for this course.
Use the Pathways Tool to discover other courses with pathway options available.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
What you'll study
Sample course structure
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
To qualify for the award of Master of Data Science, students must complete a total of 240 credit points across 2 years.
Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
- 75 credit points from chosen Core
- 30 credit points from chosen Specialisation
- 15 credit points from chosen Electives
- 15 credit points from chosen Electives
Year 2 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
- 30 credit points from chosen Core
- 30 credit points from chosen Specialisation
- 60 credit points from chosen Core choice - Pathway
Study options
Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.
| Subject name | Subject code | Year | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE | LTU0AIM | 1 | 0 |
| DATA EXPLORATION AND ANALYSIS | CSE5DEV | 1 | 15 |
| DATABASE FUNDAMENTALS | CSE4DBF | 1 | 15 |
| INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING | CSE4IP | 1 | 15 |
| MATHEMATICS FOR DATA SCIENCE | MAT4MDS | 1 | 15 |
| PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR DATA SCIENCE | STM4PSD | 1 | 15 |
| BIG DATA MANAGEMENT ON THE CLOUD | CSE5BDC | 2 | 15 |
| PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | CSE5003 | 2 | 15 |
A range of standalone elective subjects is available in this course. Some electives are recommended for your course, but you may also be able to choose from a range of University-wide electives or electives from other interest areas or disciplines. Note these electives may have their own prerequisites and other requirements. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook for the subjects available. The following electives are recommended for Master of Data Science.
| Subject name | Subject code | Year | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| DATA WRANGLING | BUS5DWR | 1 | 15 |
| VISUAL ANALYTICS | BUS5VA | 1 | 15 |
Core choice subjects are one or more subject groups you need to select in your course. Core choice subjects may be specific to your course, major, minor, specialisation or other learning requirements.
Students to select one learning pathway from the list below.
Pathway
- Statistics thesis
- Computer science thesis
- Computer science industry project
- Statistics industry based learning
- Computer science industry based learning
For more information on these please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
A specialisation is a sequence of related subjects studied in your course. In some courses, you need to complete at least one specialisation to attain your degree.
Students to select one specialisation
| Course specialisations | Specialisation code |
|---|---|
| Artificial intelligence analytics | SPE-AIA01 |
| Big data and cloud computing | SPE-BDC01 |
| Bioinformatics | SPE-BII01 |
| Business applications | SPE-BIA01 |
| Data modelling and analytics | SPE-DMA01 |
| Mathematical data science | SPE-MDS01 |
| Sport analytics | SPE-SPT01 |
For more information on these please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
See La Trobe University Handbook for more details
The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.
View course information for Melbourne (Bundoora)
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Master of Data Science course and career outcomes
However you choose to structure your study, La Trobe recognises your hard work. Here are the pathways you could follow as you move through your course.
Course intended learning outcomes
- Evaluate, communicate and interpret information and results of advanced analysis in the field of data science to expert and lay audiences
- Critically analyse and solve complex problems in data science by using expert judgement, advanced knowledge and multi-disciplinary approaches
- Use and adapt advanced computing techniques and mathematical and statistical approaches to solve complex scientific problems in the field of data science
- Apply advanced theoretical concepts that underpin data science to complex problems using highly developed, integrated knowledge and skills
- Apply professional knowledge and skills autonomously or in a team, in a range of specific analytics and performance analysis settings
- Use and appropriately customise a broad range of established and emerging data collection and analysis technologies and methodologies related to specialisations
Master of Data Science career opportunities
After graduation, you could work across a range of industries, including business and finance, science, education, health, and sports.
- Data scientist
- Understand complex data and leverage it to the advantage of businesses and organisations.
- Understand complex data and leverage it to the advantage of businesses and organisations.
- Business analyst
- Understand how businesses run and use data to solve problems and improve processes.
- Understand how businesses run and use data to solve problems and improve processes.
- Health analyst
- Gather, analyse and verify healthcare information.
- Gather, analyse and verify healthcare information.
- Bioinformatician
- Develop methods of research and analysis for understanding and leveraging biological and genomic data.
- Develop methods of research and analysis for understanding and leveraging biological and genomic data.
- Machine learning engineer
- Use your detailed understanding of machine learning, big data, cloud technology and mathematics to create effective machine learning solutions.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated course fees for domestic postgraduate students
Estimated fees per year (2024):
Indicative based on 2023 fees
$32,400 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available.
Indicative CSP price $7,492 per 120 credit points.
Commonwealth supported places (CSP):
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for both current and future students. Find out what La Trobe scholarship opportunities might be available to you. View all available scholarships
Note: You must first have an offer to study at La Trobe before you are eligible to apply for a La Trobe scholarship.
Scholarships that may be available for this course
La Trobe Excellence Scholarships - Domestic Students
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future postgraduate coursework, Australian Citizen
Duration of Course
Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) Program
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, 1st year undergraduates, Australian Citizen, Humanitarian Visa, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident
Full time enrolment and proof of relocation will be confirmed before payment is made into the recipient's bank account.
Questions about fees and scholarships?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
How to apply
The application process can vary depending on the course.
Most postgraduate courses generally take 15 to 20 minutes.
You can apply for up to eight postgraduate courses. Please list these in order of your preference. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an offer for your highest preference. If you change your mind, you can change your preferences through the application portal.
Check when course applications close
If you’ve undertaken study in the past, you may be able to get credit toward your new postgraduate degree. This is called ‘advanced standing’.
Once you’ve enrolled in your course, you can apply for advanced standing by lodging an advanced standing application form.
Ready to apply?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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Overview
Key facts
| Award | Master of Data Science |
|---|---|
| Start dates |
Indicative based on 2023 start dates Semester 1 (March 2024), Semester 2 (July 2024), Term 6 (November 2024) |
| Duration | 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Available locations | Melbourne (Bundoora), Online |
| Scholarships | View fees and scholarships |
| Specialisations | |
| Fees |
Indicative based on 2023 fees $32,400 per 120 credit points.Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year. Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available. Indicative CSP price $7,492 per 120 credit points. Learn more about Fees and scholarships. |
About the Master of Data Science
Data science professionals are in high demand in today's data-driven world. Whether you're already working in data science, or you're ready to make a career change, our Master of Data Science prepares you for a successful career in this exciting field.
Designed in collaboration with our industry partners, this degree gives you the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to transition from university to the workplace. And with two early exit points along the way, you can be sure that every subject is contributing to your career.
You'll build fundamental skills in programming, databases, probability, statistics, data exploration and analysis. Got a particular interest in artificial intelligence, bioinformatics or sport analytics? This degree allows you to specialise in these areas and others, such as big data and cloud computing, business applications and data modelling and analytics.
As you study, you'll have opportunities to work with our industry partners on real-world projects and take on an industry work placement. If your sights are set on a research career, you can choose to undertake a thesis in computer science or statistics.
Every step of the way, our supportive and highly qualified teaching staff will be there to offer ongoing support and advice.
You'll learn:
- Data science
- Get practical experience with open-source software and platforms, including Python, R and Hadoop.
- Understand database fundamentals, programming languages such as Java and Python, and cloud-based services offered by Amazon, Google, IBM and Microsoft.
- Mathematics and statistics
- Learn how to create complex models and use powerful tools for advanced analysis and problem-solving.
- Build your skills using real data sets from our industry partners and learn how to solve data challenges facing businesses and organisations.
- Project management
- Learn how to manage large-scale IT projects and work in a team to develop a small-scale, industry-based system.
- Complementary skills in other disciplines
- Boost your knowledge through electives in business, health sciences, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9 - Masters Degree.
Have questions?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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