BSc (Hons) Data Science

Overview

Our BSc (Hons) Data Science will give you an in-depth awareness and appreciation of the underlying computing and algorithmic principles driving data science technologies. It is a practical degree focusing on the analytical and data processing skills needed to begin a career as a data scientist or analyst.

Demand for workers with specialist data skills like data scientists and data engineers has more than tripled over five years (+231%), according to a labour market analysis commissioned for Dynamics of data science skills, a new Royal Society report published in May 2019. The types of skills most frequently required by British employers include scripting languages, databases, machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. All of these are included in the course.

Top reasons to study with us

#1 There are opportunties for Computing Science Industrial Summer Placements in year 3

#2 Learn cutting edge data science techniques from leading academics in the field

#3 Study subjects at the core of data science including programming, machine learning and statistics

You will study modules chosen from across Computing Science and Mathematics and will be introduced to both data science theory and applications. You'll study subjects at the core of data science including machine learning, artificial intelligence and statistics. This Data Science degree will introduce you to relational and non-relational database principles and learn cutting edge technology such as computer vision and natural language processing. You'll learn how to collect, manage and analyse highly dynamic Big Data for science or commerce.

Course details

In all four years students need to complete 120 credits comprising of compulsory and optional modules.

In year 1 students can take 20 credits worth of any available modules in the Autumn and Spring semesters. However, CSCU9B2 is recommended. Year 1 provides a broad foundation to the subject including an introduction to programming, data science and mathematics.

In year 2 students can take 20 credits worth of any available modules in the Autumn semester. Year 2 focusses on database principles and technologies including relational and non-relational approaches. You will also study Python scripting for data science and basic statistics.

Year 3 focuses on machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. In the final year students embark on their honours project which will give students the opportunity to apply their learning from the course.

This course is not available as a combined degree.

Teaching

In the most recent National Student Survey (2022) computing science at Stirling was ranked 3rd in Scotland, and top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction. Computing Science at Stirling has also been ranked 7th in the UK in the 2022 Guardian University Guide. Furthermore, the University of Stirling was awarded five star excellence for teaching by the QS World University Rankings 2021.

Our teaching makes use of both our campus-based teaching facilities and online learning environment. You’ll learn about Data Science through lectures, small tutorial groups and most of all through practical labs, where concepts taught in lectures are implemented and tested.

Contact

Dr Mario Kolberg

Senior Lecturer

[email protected]

+44 (0)1786 467440

After you graduate

Demand for workers with specialist data skills like data scientists and data engineers has more than tripled over five years (+231%), according to a labour market analysis commissioned for Dynamics of data science skills, a new Royal Society report published in May 2019.

When ScotlandIS, the Scottish trade organisation for the IT industry, asked companies about the greatest opportunities for their business over the next 18 months, the top three answers were all data related (AI, machine learning, Internet of Things), for the second year in a row (ScotlandIS Survey 2020). The BSc Data Science at Stirling will prepare you for a career in the data industry in these areas.