Data Analytics
About
What is Data Analytics?
Finding needles in a haystack – it is probably what people in the field of data analytics are expected to do. It would be a simple task for them if they knew about the size, shape, and colour of the needles they were looking for.
In the past, data has always been collected with a purpose in mind and decisions were made based on the organization needs and the data analysis results. Since the information explosion, everyone (government, business, and social media etc.) has been collecting data so as not to fall behind their competitors. The majority of them have no idea what size, shape, or colour the needles are that they are looking for. In some cases, they do not even know what the thing is that they are looking for.
Data Analytics is an area containing the relevant tools that allow you to divide and conquer massive data sets so as to find the needle for the right fabric.
Programs
Langara College offers two Data Analytics programs, plus an option that includes work experience. These programs allow students to gain experience handling data using industry-standard software applications and provide ample opportunity to fine-tune their soft skills to effectively communicate their findings.
Graduates will have a strong understanding about data life cycles and will be equipped to meet the growing demand in data analytics processes. Analysts are expected to work with data to support the development of an organization and to help make technical and strategic decisions.
Post-Degree Diploma in Data Analytics or
Post-Degree Diploma in Data Analytics [Work Experience]
These two-year, full-time, diploma programs are designed for anyone who likes working with data and interpreting results to support technical and strategic business decisions. These cohort-based programs end with a capstone project where students apply their knowledge before starting a new career. Students will have the opportunity to develop strong project management and team building skills.
Data Analytics equips graduates with the skills and tools to divide and conquer massive data sets. Through group projects working with different data sets from different stakeholders, students will gain experience handling real-life data from fields such as telecommunications, finance, and health care industries.
Students who choose the work experience option will complete a fifth term working full-time to gain hands-on industry experience.
Is there a particular set of prescribed courses that I need to take?
Yes, the program is cohort-based with a set of prescribed courses. See the example program structure below.
PDD Program Structure
Note: This is the current program structure that applies to cohorts starting from the Spring 2024 semester (January 2024). Please refer to the Langara College Calendar for details or contact the program coordinator for more information.
Term 1 |
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Course Number | Course Name | Credits | Pre-requisite |
BUSM 4805 | Professional Business Practice | 3 | Program restricted |
CPSC 4800 | Computing for Data Analytics | 3 | Program restricted |
DANA 4800 | Data Analysis and Statistical Inference | 3 | Program restricted |
MATH 4801♭ | Mathematics for Data Analytics | 1 | DAMA♭ |
♭The Data Analytics Mathematics Assessment (DAMA) test will be administered either on the first Friday of the semester or the Friday before the semester starts. Students who pass the DAMA test will be exempt from taking MATH 4801. |
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Term 2 |
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Course Number | Course Name | Credits | Pre-requisite |
CMNS 4800 | Communications for Technical Professions | 3 | Program restricted |
CPSC 4810 | Transformation for Data Analytics | 4 | CPSC 4800 |
DANA 4810 | Predictive Analytics - Quantitative Data | 3 | DANA 4800 & MATH 4801 |
DANA 4820 | Predictive Analytics - Qualitative Data | 3 | DANA 4800 & MATH 4801 |
Term 3 |
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Course Number | Course Name | Credits | Pre-requisite |
CPSC 4830 | Data Mining for Data Analytics | 3 | CPSC 4810, DANA 4810 & DANA 4820 |
DANA 4830 | Dimension Reduction & Classification I | 3 | DANA 4810 & DANA 4820 |
DANA 4840 | Classification II | 3 | DANA 4810 & DANA 4820 |
EXPE 4800 | Craft Your Career | 3 | Program restricted |
Term 4 |
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Course Number | Course Name | Credits | Pre-requisite |
BUSM 4830 | Project Management | 3 | BUSM 4805 & DANA 4810 |
CPSC 4820 | Visualization for Data Analytics | 3 | CPSC 4800 & DANA 4800 |
DANA 4850 | Capstone Project | 6 | CPSC 4830, DANA 4830 & DANA 4840 |
Term 5 |
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Course Number | Course Name | Credits | Pre-requisite |
EXPE 4844 | Work Experience Term - Data Analytics | 3 | EXPE 4800 or EXPE 4801 & 4802 & 4803 |
♯Only for those who choose to take the Work Experience option. |
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Last Update: February 11, 2024
Post-Degree Certificate in Data Analytics
This part-time certificate program is perfect for working professionals who would like to do more with numbers and expand their repertoire in data analysis. Courses are offered in evenings and/or weekends to provide maximum flexibility.
Note: Students in the program will need to have a desktop or laptop computer that meets basic minimum requirements including 15” display, Intel Core i7 processor with minimum of 16GB RAM, and 1TB hard drive. It is highly recommended to have a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) with minimum of 4 GB of memory. (This is needed because you don't want to run the program for 20 hours and then have your computer die on you!)
How much time is required to complete the Post-Degree Diploma program?
The Post-Degree Diploma program is a two-year full-time program. Students can complete the program (without work experience term) in four consecutive terms (or 16 months).
Can I do part-time in the Post-Degree Diploma program?
No. The Post-Degree Diploma program is a cohort-based full-time program.
Is the Post-Degree Diploma program open only to domestic students?
The Post-Degree Diploma program is open to both domestic students and international students.
Does the Post-Degree Diploma program admit students year round?
We have three intakes per year – January, May, and September.
When can I apply to the Post-Degree Diploma program? Is there any deadline?
You can apply to the Post-Degree Diploma program as early as 11 months before the program starts.
| Intake | Applications Open | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| September | October 1 | January 31 |
| January | February 1 | May 31 |
| May | June 1 | September 30 |
Shall I take IELTS Academic or IELTS General to fulfill the English requirement of the Post-Degree Diploma program?
Applicants to the Post-Degree Diploma program will have to take IELTS Academic. For more information, please refer to the IELTS Canada web site: https://www.ieltscanada.ca/ (near the bottom).
I have done some similar courses in my bachelor’s degree. Can I get transfer credits for the Post-Degree Diploma program?
No. The Post-Degree Diploma program does not accept transfer credits.
