Graduate Certificate in Data Science

Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
  • Domestic

Offered at 1 locations
  • North Sydney

Duration
0.5 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$11480 Fee-paying

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025
Applications open August 2024
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available

Overview

Data is the new currency in industry and across the business world. The Graduate Certificate in Data Science teaches you the fundamental knowledge and hands on skills to extract meaningful insights and value from data. You’ll be introduced to programming language Python, learn key techniques and popular tools in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and database design and implementation.

Made up of units accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and with Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals certification incorporated into the units, the Graduate Certificate in Data Science brings real-world scenarios and applications into the classroom to ensure you’re job ready while also preparing you to articulate into the Master of Information Technology if you wish to further your study. All our units are embedded with the United Nations sustainable goals and units from this course can count towards a data science specialisation in the MBA.


  • 95% graduates employed

  • Top 10 Catholic universities globally

  • Top 40 young universities worldwide

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • ITEC610Introduction to Data Science with Python10 cp
  • ITEC613Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn

    (Pre: ITEC610)

    10 cp
  • ITEC617Modern Database Management

    (Inc: ISYS617)

    10 cp
  • ITEC623Deep Learning and Emerging topics in Artificial Intelligence

    (Pre: ITEC613)

    10 cp

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit. 

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Graduate Certificate - AQF Level 8

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

  1. Equivalent of an Australian Bachelor’s degree in any discipline; or
  2. At least two years’ industry experience in a relevant role.

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

Applicants with higher education study

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

The Graduate Certificate in Data Science articulates into the Master of Information Technology.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$11480 Fee-paying

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

How to apply

Domestic applicants

Direct application

Apply now

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment.

Staff Profile

Dr Walayat Hussain

Head of the Discipline of Information Technology, Peter Faber Business School

Dr Walayat Hussain is currently the Head of the Discipline of Information Technology at Peter Faber Business School. He has an academic and industry experience of more than 17 years. Before joining the ACU, he was a Lecturer at Victoria University Melbourne, lecturer and a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney for seven years. He worked as an Assistant Professor and postgraduate program coordinator at the department of Computer Science at BUITEMS University for many years. He holds a PhD, Master, Postgraduate Diploma, and Bachelor's (Hons.) degrees in Computing and Information Systems from the UTS, AIT, BUITEMS, and Hamdard University.

Walayat has developed and revitalised multiple postgraduate and undergraduate subjects of Information Systems and has taught more than 30 subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students. He has supervised several research students as the principal and co-supervisor to completion. Walayat's research areas are Service Computing, Business Intelligence, AI, Information Systems, Computational Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Decision Support Systems. He has contributed to theory and application and developed a new approach for making an optimal informed decision in complex systems. He has published more than 74 high-quality research documents.

Dr Mehdi Rajaeian

Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School

Dr Mehdi Rajaeian leads the Data Analytics stream in the Peter Faber Business School and teaches a variety of IT subjects such as Database Design, Data Analytics & Visualisation, Data Mining and Big Data. He is also engaged with industry through providing IT consultancy services. Dr Rajaeian has 15 years of academic work experience. Before his academic career Dr Rajaeian has worked in IT industry as System Analyst and IT Project Manager. His research interests include data analytics, decision support systems, IT Sourcing Strategies, Technology Adoption, and social and personal impacts of IT. Dr Rajaeian has completed a PhD in Information Systems at University of Southern Queensland, a MBA and a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering at Sharif University of Technology.

 

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