12/01/2018

22/01/2018

The course will furnish students with skills to enter the world of data analytics through building a foundation of strong statistical knowledge, developing problem-solving skills for business analysis, and helping you understand and use business data to deliver better decision making. This higher diploma will give you technical skills in statistics, programming, database management and web mining in addition to business skills such as business analysis that will help you make an impact in a wide range of roles. Students undertaking this course will be exposed to a variety of programming languages/tools that may include ‘R’, Python, SPSS, Excel, Weka and RapidMiner.

The programme is particularly suitable for those with numeracy skills. You do not need to have previously studied programming. However, given the timeframe and the amount of technical and statistical content applicants should be prepared to fully commit to the programme.

As a graduate of this course you will be able to:
• Develop statistical skills to carry out effective data analyses using descriptive and inferential statistics within a business context
• Solve real business problems using generally accepted practices in the field of business analysis supported by the choice and application of appropriate data analysis tools
• Develop technical skills to process multiple datasets using relevant modelling, programming, data storage, and computational techniques
• Communicate effectively the results of data analysis to both technical and non-technical audience
• Apply analytical thinking techniques, communication, and interaction skills to support decision making and address business requirements
• Apply data-mining and knowledge discovery techniques to process datasets from multiple diverse data sources

Applicants holding an honours degree (level 8 or equivalent) in any discipline will be considered. Candidates will be able to demonstrate technical or mathematical skills as part of previous learning. Typically holders of more numerate degrees in areas like maths, engineering, architecture, physics or economics are likely to gain higher ranking in selection for the programme. Candidates with other level 8 honours degrees will also be considered and will need to be able to demonstrate technical or mathematical skills in addition to their level 8 qualification. For candidates who do not have a level 8 qualification, the college operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme - meaning applicants who do not meet the normal academic entry requirements, may
be considered based on relevant work or other experience.

Laptop Requirements
This programme has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy. Specifically, students are expected to successfully participate in lectures, laboratories and projects using a laptop computer with a substantial hardware configuration. A suitable configuration is 6GB of RAM (8GB or more are recommended); a 64-bit x86 processor (Intel i5 or superior); 250+ GB of hard disk; wifi card; and a recentinstalled release of Mac OS or Windows operating system. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their laptop is functioning correctly and that they have full administrator rights to the machine. NCI IT cannot provide support to personal devices.

Semester 1 Modules
• Introduction to Data Analytics
• Business Analysis and Communication
• Business Data Analysis
• Programming for Big Data
• Career Bridge


Semester 2 Modules
• Data and Web Mining
• Advanced Business Data Analysis
• Data Visualization (Elective)
or
• Domain Skills (Elective) these 2 modules are mutually exclusive
• Career Bridge


Semester 3 Modules
• Project

Work placement will occur either during term time or upon course completion. The Career Bridge module is worked into each of the programme schedules. Assisting students develop and achieve their career goals is a core mission within the NCI Career Development & Employability Office (CDEO) who have won the AHECS “Excellence in Employability Award” for 2013 and 2014 and 2016. These were awarded for the work undertaken with students completing skills conversion programmes. The CDEO delivers the Career Bridge module across two semesters and involves producing a career action plan and develops in students the ability to self-manage their careers, identify and apply for career opportunities, develop an online brand, network effectively and promote themselves at interview.

Of our 2016 graduating class, 86% were in employment within 3 months of completing the programme. 40% used the programme to upskill and seek promotions within data analytics or career transition from an unrelated industry to data analytics. 14% who were unemployed at the start of the programme secured relevant employment. 5% continued with further study.

The Career Development & Employability Office work collaboratively with students and proactively with Industry to identify suitable work placement opportunities and will endeavour to secure a work placement for each eligible student.The work placement is an ideal way to use your newly acquired skills to transition into your chosen career. Active engagement with your work placement advisor from the start of the programme is required. The work placement is for a minimum of 3 months with most companies requiring students for a 6 month period on average.

The programme was also designed in conjunction with industry and encompasses the latest technologies to ensure relevant skills are gained.

NCI is the only college in Ireland where every student has a Pluralsight licence. Pluralsight is the largest global independent online learning tool for technologists and technology students. Students of this programme will have unlimited access to thousands of online tutorials authored by global industry experts and widely recognised by industry. Example: IBM Bluemix tutorial. www.pluralsight.com

Indicative Timetable:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 18:00 - 22:00 and a number of Saturdays
(Every second Monday will be a 17:00 start for career bridge)

Duration: 1 Year - 3 Semesters from January to May, late May to August and September to December 2018

National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1

On Campus

The Springboard Team

Springboard Office, National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1

1850 221 721

springboard@ncirl.ie

For candidates who do not have a level 8 qualification, the college operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme - meaning applicants who do not meet the normal academic entry requirements, may be considered based on relevant work or other experience. The Springboard Team will provide this form to you if you are required to fill it out

This supporting documentation must be uploaded to www.springboardcourses.ie along with your application or within a few days of having submitted your application to ensure that your application can be assessed for a September start.

1. Your current curriculum vitae: The information on your CV should match the Application Form and it should be completely accurate with no unsupported additions. The Employer Name and Location needs be outlined for each job. If you were unemployed or travelling for a period of time this too needs to be included on your CV including the location(s) of where you resided during that time.
2. Career Statement: Please include a 300 word career statement detailing what has motivated you to undertake the programme and how the programme fits in with your career objectives. This statement is compulsory and must be course specific. It should clearly demonstrate that you have researched the course and have a broad understanding of the course you are applying for. Unless it refers explicitly to the course you are applying for it will not be accepted. Please also ensure that you have included your full name and the exact course title on the career statement.
3. Educational Transcripts for any relevant qualifications listed in your application form and the final certificates for any qualifications listed in your application form. Alternatively a Diploma Supplement will suffice if it contains a breakdown of all subjects taken for the duration of the course.
4. Candidates whose qualifications are in foreign languages - please ensure all documentation is provided in its original language. You must also have these documents officially translated into English by a professional, registered translation company. Translations done by you, the applicant, are not acceptable. There are a number of such companies here in Dublin 1 who will do this for you.
5. 1 passport sized photograph in JPEG format to be used on your student card (please do not send a copy of your passport or other ID)
6. Non-EU applicants will need to provide a copy of their GNIB card showing a Stamp 4 EUFAM
7. Verification of Status Required: In Employment - please provide a letter from your current employer on headed paper, signed and dated. Homemaker - Please provide a letter/statement signed by the Commissioner for Oaths confirming your current status. A form to complete the process is available here: https://www.springboardcourses.ie/pdfs/Declaration%20for%20Homemakers.pdf. Department of Social Protection - Please provide a recently dated letter confirming that you are on the live register detailing which payment you are in receipt of (alternatively your most recent post office receipt will suffice) or a letter confirming that you are signing for social insurance contribution credits. Previously Self Employed - A letter from your accountant or revenue confirming that your business is no longer trading.

This supporting documentation must be uploaded to www.springboardcourses.ie along with your application or within a few days of having submitted your application to ensure that your application can be assessed for a September start.

Further Documentation/Interview Requirements
Depending on your background you may be required to submit additional documentation and/or participate in an interview or logic test. The Course Director may also request to meet you in person for an informal interview to assess your suitability for the course. We will advise you in due course if any of the above applies to you.

English Language Requirements
Candidates whose first language is not English may also be required to sit the free NCI Academic Competency Test. Regardless of how long you have lived or worked in Ireland if you have not already successfully completed an academic course through English lasting at least one year and if you cannot provide a suitable IELTS or TOEFL test result you may need to do the NCI Academic Competency Test. We will advise you if this applies to you.

Higher Diploma in Science in Data Analytics

https://youtu.be/Gsvo0fgpbhI?t=178