Data Analytics

Take the guesswork out of decision making with the AIT MSc in Data Analytics.

Data Analytics is the process of examining vast quantities of data, often referred to as Big Data, in order to draw conclusions and insights about the information they contain. Some examples of Data Analytics applications include real-time fraud detection, complex competitive commercial analysis, website optimisation, intelligent air, road and other traffic management and consumer spending patterns.

Big Data presents three primary problems: there's too much data to handle easily; the speed of data flowing in and out makes it difficult to analyse; the range and type of data sources are too great to assimilate. With the right analytics and techniques, these big data can deliver hidden and unhidden insights, patterns and relationships from multiple sources using Data Analytics techniques.

Athlone Institute of Technology, recently voted Institute of Technology of the year 2020, has developed an industry-focused, contemporary masters programme that will equip graduates with the skills and aptitudes necessary to excel in the emerging field of Big Data and Data Analytics. This programme will ensure that you will be able to understand the data context, apply appropriate techniques and utilise the most relevant tools to generate insights into such data.

What will I experience?
The programme will incorporate three key pillars of data analytics: Data, Tools & Techniques and Analysis. Each pillar overlaps with the other to provide a coherent and unified set of core skills in data analytics. The research component will consist of an industry-led project, which students can undertake within their own employer, or in conjunction with AIT industry partners.

At the core of the discipline is data. In this pillar, students will develop their skills in areas including database technologies, data manipulation languages including SQL and the R programming language. In order to understand the data, a range of techniques will be taught, including programming for Big Data, statistics and probabilities and the interpretation of data. Interwoven within these modules is the use of industry-standard data analytics software tools. The final pillar of the programme is analysis. In these modules, students will develop skills to become data-savvy practitioners, gaining insights into data from which strategic decisions can be made.

Year 1
Semester 1: (January - May)

Databases (incorporating SQL)
Statistics for Data Analytics
Programming for Data Analytics (Using the Python language)

Semester 2: (September - December)

Data Analytics and Interpretation (Using the R language)
Advanced Databases
Advanced Analytics

Year 2

Semester 1: (January - May)

Research Methods
Data Visualisation

Semester 2: (September - December)

Applied Research Project, including 20,000 word thesis
(note: the applied research project will commence in Semester 1 with the Research Methods module)

Minimum Entry Requirements:
A Level 8 or equivalent honours degree in Business, Science or Engineering, with a minimum grade of 2.1 (60%), comprising of at least 30 ECTS credits in any combination of maths, computer science or engineering. In line with institute policies, non-native English speakers are required to have an IELTS level of 6.5 or higher.

All applicants will be subject to an interview.

Update: Closing date for applications has been extended to the 17th of December 2021.

90

2 Years Part-Time/Online

€2,500 per annum

Commencement
The programme will commence with a residential weekend on Friday 7 September 2018, which is included in programme fees

Commencing January 2020.

Induction
Institute Induction for students that are new to the Institute will take place on Saturday 11 January 2020. Attendance on that date is compulsory.

What opportunities might it lead to?
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report identified Data Analytics as an area of skills deficit. Given the wide range of industries in which Data Analytics can be utilised, the demand for Data Analytics graduates continues to soar.

Career Prospects
As Data Analytics is a relatively new and emerging field, the application of analytics spans a vast range of industries including finance, marketing, healthcare and biopharma. Career opportunities for graduates of this programme include:

Data Analyst
Data Scientist
Performance and Analytics Analyst
Data Operations Analyst
Financial Market Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst
Customer Insight Analyst