NextGen: HND Data Science

The purpose of the qualification

To develop an understanding of data science theories and principles, together with a range of technical capabilities in handling, analysing, summarising and visualising data. Learners will also gain statistical skills and understand the importance of data ethics. This will enable progression to employment or further studies in related fields. It will also develop learners meta-skills.

Sector/industry-specific skills

• Data analysis
• Descriptive and inferential statistics
• Computer programming
• Big data
• Data engineering
• Machine learning
• Data visualisation
• Professional practice in data science, including data ethics

Meta-skills

Self-management

• Focus – sorting; filtering
• Integrity – ethics
• Adapting – resilience
• Initiative – decision making; self-motivation

Social intelligence

• Communication – receiving and giving information; storytelling
• Feeling – building relationships
• Collaborating – working as part of a team
• Leading – being a change catalyst

Innovation

• Curiosity – observing; questioning; sourcing information
• Creativity – generating ideas; visualising; developing a maker mentality
• Sense making – recognising problems; recognising patterns; holistic thinking; synthesis
• Critical thinking – analysis; deconstruction; logical thinking; computational thinking