Data Science & Analytics
Our BSc in Data Science & Analytics degree at UCC provides education in data storage, manipulation and interpretation using mathematical sciences and computational methods which assists us in solving complex real-world problems.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H3 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths H3
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
UCC awards the following points to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules:
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
While Link Modules are counted for point scoring purposes they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry requirements.
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Graduate Study Options
As a data science graduate, you will have studied computer science, statistics, mathematics and applied mathematics, which qualifies you to progress to numerous taught and research-led Masters or PhD programmes in Mathematical Sciences or Computer Science. Programmes to consider in UCC include:
MSc Computing Science
MSc Actuarial Science
MSc Financial & Computational Mathematics
MSc Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
MSc Mathematical Modelling & Machine Learning
MSc Statistics (by research)
Career Opportunities
Firms specialising in analytics, financial services and consulting, and governmental agencies, to name but a few, are currently seeking graduates with data analytics skills to fill a range of positions.
The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2022, data scientists and analysts will become the number one emerging role in the world. Data science experts are needed in virtually every job sector, not just technology. In the US, the average data scientist salary is US$113,000, according to Glassdoor. (World Economic Forum 2020)
Practically all sectors of the economy employ Data Scientists. The following list provides some insight into sectors and companies that use such skills:
Banking e.g. AIB, BoI, Central Bank, Citi
Energy e.g. Bord Gas, Electric Ireland
Financial Services e.g. Elavon, Pramerica
Food & Agriculture e.g. Kerry, Glanbia
Gaming e.g. Paddy Power, Xanadu, Betbright
Government e.g. CSO, Revenue, HSE
Health e.g. HSE, HIQA, Optum
Insurance e.g. Allianz, Aviva, Aon
Management Consultancy e.g. EY, PWC, FTI Consulting, Deloitte, Accenture, Clarion, KPMG
Marketing, Media & Communication e.g. Core Media, Vodafone, Eir, 3
Pharmaceutical e.g. Abbott, Novartis, Regeneron, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer
Research e.g. ESRI, Universities, Insight
Retail e.g. Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Super Valu, Amazon, Wayfair
Software e.g. SAS, SPSS
Sport e.g. Munster Rugby, GAA, RTE, Sky Sports
Technology e.g. IBM, EMC, HP, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Dell, Facebook, Intel, Version 1
Further information
Approximate Available Places 4
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 32
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
Data Science & Analytics focuses on new ways to capture and understand data from the world around us. It helps us make better decisions for people, communities and industry.
Our BSc in Data Science & Analytics degree at UCC provides education in data storage, manipulation and interpretation using mathematical sciences and computational methods which assists us in solving complex real-world problems. In the first and second year, you will study the mathematical and computational foundations of data science and analytics. During the third year, you begin applying the fundamentals of data science and analytics to real-life problems and data.
In the Spring of third year, you undertake a six-month work placement (which is paid in most cases), providing an opportunity to apply the knowledge you have learned in a workplace environment.
In the fourth year, you choose specialised modules and undertake an independent project, which enables you to investigate more applied elements of the discipline.
Year 1 Modules
CS1106 Introduction to Relational Databases (5 credits)
CS1112 Foundations of Computer Science I (5 credits)
CS1113 Foundations of Computer Science II (5 credits)
CS1117 Introduction to Programming (15 credits)
AM1054 Mathematical Software (5 credits)
MA1058 Introduction to Linear Algebra (5 credits)
MA1059 Calculus (5 credits)
ST1050 Statistical Programming in R (5 credits)
ST1051 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (5 credits)
Plus 5 credits from the following:
AM1053 Introduction to Mathematical Modelling (5 credits)
ST1401 Introduction to Operations Research (5 credits)
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Work Placement
The BSc Data Science & Analytics aims to ensure that you are work-ready. Work placement is a core module undertaken from Spring until August in Year 3.
To find a placement organisation, you will work with the Careers Service. They will help you with interviews and keep in contact with you during placement. Usually you will complete your third-year examinations in December, return to campus for an 8 week semester in January, and then go on work placement from March to August (inclusive).
The placement helps you put academic theories into practice, improves your confidence, allowing you to travel and gain experience, and certainly increases your employability. Working in a company setting provides you with additional skills that cannot be taught through lectures or in the laboratory. During placement, you will work as part of a team to solve real problems. Your placement is jointly monitored by a UCC academic staff member and an employee of the company.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue (https://ucc-ie-public.courseleaf.com/programmes/) for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules (https://ucc-ie-public.courseleaf.com/modules/)
Professor Gregory Provan
bsc_dsacoordinator@cs.ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 420 5892
http://www.ucc.ie/en/compsci
Kathleen O'Sullivan
kathleen.osullivan@ucc.ie