Introduction to Data Science

Unit code:VIT1106Study level:Undergraduate

Credit points

12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)

Location

Footscray Nicholson
VU Brisbane
VU Sydney

Prerequisites

VIT1102 - Introduction to Programming
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)

Overview

This unit explores the foundational concepts and techniques of data visualisation and analytics, equipping students with the skills to transform raw data into meaningful insights. Students will investigate various data sources and types, learning how to import, clean, and preprocess data for analysis. Emphasis is placed on creating effective visualisations and dashboards that clearly communicate complex information, while also introducing AI-assisted approaches to support and enhance the analysis process. Students will apply fundamental analytics methods to identify patterns, trends, and correlations within datasets, enabling strategic decision-making based on data-driven evidence.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

Explain key concepts and principles of data visualisation and analytics, including their importance in data-driven decision-making;
Import, clean and pre-process datasets to prepare them for analysis and visualisation;
Apply analytics techniques and introductory AI-assisted approaches to identify patterns, trends and outliers in data, and;
Develop effective visualisations and dashboards to communicate insights clearly and accurately.