Data science relies on maths and problem-solving – but you can use it to learn so much more about the world, says Associate Professor Paul Wu
Part of what drew me to data science was that I wanted to help change the world for the better. Data science has a big role to play in health and the environment.
The other thing that drew me in was that it’s a very collaborative venture. There are many different stakeholders, from the people using the data to the people who generate and own it. It relies on interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as core mathematical problem-solving.
Data science gives you highly transferable skills. You’ll have job opportunities in many different fields: business, finance, consulting, environment, agriculture…
Mathematical skills are an important part of data science, but it’s equally important to be curious.
“You’ll have job opportunities in many different fields”
QUT’s Bachelor of Data Science provides you with the core skills needed to be a data scientist. We’ve recently redeveloped the degree to have three new majors: Data and Decision Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and Business Data Science. You can study more than one of these majors if you wish.
At every year level of QUT’s degree, students can work with industry partners to gain experience through work-integrated learning. The QUT Centre for Data Science has partnerships in a range of industries,
from AI to sport.
Data science is progressing and advancing so quickly. If you’re interested in the field, you don’t have to wait until uni to start exploring. You’ve got the internet at your fingertips: engage with your curiosity now.
Paul Wu
Associate Professor in Statistical Data
Science, QUT
Paul’s pathway
- Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering), QUT
- Master of Engineering Science (Computer and Communications Engineering), QUT
- PhD in aerospace avionics, QUT
- Research associate, QUT
- Postdoctoral fellow, Australian Institute of Marine Science
- Associate professor, QUT
This article was first published in Careers with STEM: Data Science, and was produced in partnership with QUT.
