Diploma in Data Acquisition and Analysis

About Data Acquisition and Analysis

This diploma prepares students for a data-driven society in which the skills to obtain and analyze data are in high demand. The program focuses on scientific data acquisition, and how simulations combined with data processing can improve our understanding of a given data set. The program is designed to be highly flexible and lays the foundations for a career in many diverse fields, including research and development, IT industry, medical technology, climate modelling, or education. A seamless transition to several other 3- and 4-year programs at StFX is possible.

StFX is the only university that offers a program in Data Acquisition and Analysis.

Program Structure

Year 1 

• Fall: Physics 121, Mathematics 106, Computer Science 161, Data Science (100-level course), Arts Elective
• Winter: Physics 122, Mathematics 107, Computer Science 162, Open Elective (Arts) 

Year 2

• Fall: Physics 241, Physics 221, Mathematics 367, Computer Science 223 or Statistics 231, Mathematics 253 
• Winter: Physics 242, Physics 201, Mathematics 267, Physics 305 or 374, Mathematics 254, Physics 294, Capstone Project

Future Opportunities

The program can be completed as a stand-alone credential, or students could opt to continue at StFX and seamlessly continue their studies in several BSc programs:

• Students can transfer directly into a Bachelor of Science Major, Advanced Major, and Honours program in Physics.
• Students could pursue a Major in Mathematics. Required courses in Year 3 and 4 would include Mathematics 277, plus Mathematics Electives (assuming that a student took Statistics 231 as part of the Diploma in Data Acquisition and Analysis).
• Students could pursue a Major in Computer Science. Required courses in Year 3 and 4 would include Computer Science 255, 275, 277, 263, 375, plus Computer Science Electives (assuming that a student took Computer Science 223 as part of the Diploma in Data Acquisition and Analysis).
• Students could pursue a Major in Data Science. Required courses in Year 3 and 4 would include one 200-level Data Science course, two 300-level Data Science courses, and one Data Science elective (assuming that a student took Statistics 231 as part of the Diploma in Data Acquisition and Analysis).

This program is pending MPHEC approval.