Graduate diploma in data analytics

Why data analytics?

According to Statistics Canada, management sciences and quantitative methods graduates are among the top earners in the workplace. Clearly, graduates with quantitative skills and technical expertise gain a competitive advantage in the workforce.

Find out more about data analytics.

Program details

The graduate diploma in data analytics will equip students with the tools to analyze data in order to increase organisations’ efficiency and profitability. The diploma’s academic and institutional objectives are twofold:

  • Offer graduate-level professional education in the emerging area of data analytics to professionals at all levels of organisations and across different industries, as well as students who are eager to deepen their analytics skills
  • Provide a rigorous foundation for students who plan to do applied research in data analytics

Students will learn to use data analytics to benefit organisations at all stages in their lifecycle, including:

  • Explaining what has happened with descriptive analytics
  • Foreseeing future scenarios with predictive analytics
  • Designing best policies with prescriptive analytics

Course requirements

The structure and length of the GDDA are the same as the MMSc program. All MMSc students should complete eight courses to receive the degree and the expected duration of the degree is one year (three terms). Upon entering the MMSc program, students can decide to pursue the GDDA by taking specific courses. All MMSc students should take four core required courses:

  • MSCI 603 Principles of Operations Research or MSCI 634 Deterministic Models in Operations Research (Please note: MSCI 634 is a more advanced course on a similar topic)
  • MSCI 605 Organizational Theory & Behaviour
  • MSCI 607 Applied Economics for Management
  • MSCI 609 Quantitative Data Analysis for Management Sciences

Students who wish to obtain the GDDA should take four additional courses, three required courses (no exceptions) and one elective course:

  • MSCI 623 Big Data Analytics
  • MSCI 718 Statistical Methods for Data Analytics
  • MSCI 719 Operations Analytics
  • A pre-approved elective course, see the Elective preapproval request form

Previously approved GDDA electives (PDF)

Admission requirements

The graduate diploma in data analytics does not have its own admission requirements, as it is not a stand-alone program. Interested students must apply to the Master of Management Sciences (MMSc) program and be admitted according to posted admission requirements.  Upon entering the MMSc program, students can pursue the diploma specific courses.

Please note: the GDDA courses are not scheduled around coop work terms. Students enrolled in the MMSc coop program may not be able to complete the graduate diploma requirements to also earn the GDDA.

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