What are Big Data and Data Science?
Organizations are increasingly using and collecting larger amounts of data during their everyday operations.
Big Data is the term that is used to encompass these large data sets, specialized techniques, and customized tools. It is often applied to large data sets to perform general data analysis and find trends, or to create predictive models.
Data science is the field of study that combines domain expertise, programming skills, and knowledge of mathematics and statistics to extract meaningful insights from data. Data scientists turn raw data into meaningful information that organizations can use to improve their businesses.
What 3rd level courses are available?
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering Big Data / Data Science courses in the following subject areas:
- Data Science – Gain a thorough grounding in the analysis and use of large data sets.
- Computing: Applied Data Science & Data Analytics – A study of data analytics and the analysis of both large and small data sets.
- Master of Science (MSc) in Data Analytics – This program aims to produce graduates who will be able to apply for roles pertaining to Data Analytics across all sectors of the economy.
- Java Data Science Solutions – Analyzing Data – Learn how to build data science models using Java.
- Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics – Gain practical knowledge and skills in the area of computing and data science.
- Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics for Business – The study of Data Analytics knowledge and skills for business management.
Studying Big Data / Data Science in college
Many Big Data / Data Science courses take place over 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials, and taught modules. Assessments will take place continuously with written examinations and practical assignments combined to achieve a qualification. You could also consider work experience or an internship in data science at a number of the bigger employers, particularly in finance, retail and travel. You could also approach small to medium-sized enterprises for internship or shadowing opportunities.
Work Experience will not only allow you to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, but it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
Career options
After completing a course in Big Data / Data Science you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of data analysis and collection.
The leading employers for data scientists tend to be in the finance, retail, and eCommerce sectors. Businesses in these sectors are keen to better understand their audience groups to target their focus on relevant products and offerings. Sectors such as telecoms, oil and gas, and transport are increasingly using big data to make decisions that could positively impact their workforce, operations, or sales.
In most companies, training is done on the job and you’ll often have the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues. You’ll be expected to learn and develop new skills yourself by staying up to date with new and emerging technologies and techniques. Work is often collaborative, so you’ll be able to develop your knowledge by sharing ideas and solutions to problems with other team members.
Some companies may offer additional training in their operating procedures or encourage you to attend sector-specific events to help your understanding of potential issues, new developments, or emerging trends. This knowledge can then be used to better apply your problem-solving skills to relevant projects.
The skills you acquire are transferable across a range of sectors so it can be relatively easy to move into different companies.
Working hours will depend on whether you are employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various facilities or companies. The hours are usually full-time, Monday to Friday. There may be times, particularly on short-term projects, where working outside of office hours or at weekends is necessary.
Related jobs include:
- Application analyst
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Data analyst
- Data scientist
- Database administrator
- Information systems manager
- IT consultant
- IT technical support officer
- IT sales professional
- Penetration tester
- Software engineer
- Systems analyst
- Applications developer
- Business analyst
- Estimator
- Forensic computer analyst
- Network engineer
- Actuarial analyst
- Actuary
- Civil Service fast streamer
- Financial risk analyst
- Investment analyst
- Market researcher
- Operational researcher
- Statistician
- Economist
- Financial manager
- Financial trader
- Insurance underwriter
- Machine learning engineer
Further study
After completing a course in Big Data / Data Science you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skillset. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practice in certain career areas such as computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, and statistics.
FAQ
Why are Big Data and Data Science important?
Big data analytics helps organizations harness their data and use it to identify new opportunities. This leads to smarter business moves, more efficient operations, higher profits, and happier customers.
What skills could be helpful for a career in Big Data / Data Science?
Careers in Data science require excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, experience in database interrogation and analysis tools, exceptional communication and presentation skills to explain your work to people who don’t understand the mechanics behind data analysis, effective listening skills to understand the requirements of the business, planning, time management, and organizational skills, the ability to deliver under pressure and to tight deadlines and great attention to detail.
What are the most common fields that Data Scientists work in?
Work for Data Scientists can most commonly be found in the following areas:
· Finance
· Academia
· Scientific research
· Health
· Retail
· Information technology
· Government
· Ecommerce
Where can I study Big Data / Data Science?
Explore your options here
Did You Know?
· Google uses about 1,000 computers to answer every single search query.
· Each moment 60,000 research queries are conducted by Google and 1.2 trillion hunts each year.
· Nearly 80% of photos are taken on smartphones and most will become searchable data online.
· Bad data or poor quality data costs organizations as much as 10-20% of their revenue.
· By the year 2020 one third of all data has been stored, or has passed through the cloud, and we have created 35 zetabytes worth of data.
· The total amount of data being captured and stored by industry doubles every 1.2 years
· Around 100 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute and it would take you around 15 years to watch every video uploaded by users in one day.
· Facebook users share 30 billion pieces of content between them every day.
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