Minor in Big Data Technology

Introduction

Big data is a broad term for data sets so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. They are characterized by the increasing complexities such as Volume (the quantity of data that is generated is very important in this context), Variety (the category to which Big Data belongs to), Velocity (how fast the data is generated and processed to meet the demands), and Veracity (the quality of the data being captured can vary greatly. Data sets grow in size in part because they are increasingly being gathered by cheap and numerous information-sensing mobile devices, and computer and sensor networks. The world's technological per-capita capacity to store information has roughly doubled every 40 months since the 1980s. As of 2012, every day 2.5 exabytes (2.5x1018) of data were created. Relational database management systems and desktop statistics and visualization packages often have difficulty in handling big data.

Big Data Technology poses a grand challenge on the analysis, capture, curation, search, sharing, storage, transfer, learning and modeling, visualization, and information privacy of the Big Data. This includes the design of efficient and effective algorithms and systems to integrate the data and uncover large hidden values from datasets that are diverse, complex, and of a massive scale. Many breakthroughs are expected in this area in new algorithms, methodologies, systems and applications that discover useful and hidden knowledge from the Big Data efficiently and effectively and to do so in data sources across diverse areas of practice and applications.

Objectives

The educational objectives of this minor program are:

  • To allow students to be aware of the major challenges and opportunities from Big Data Technology
  • To equip students with the necessary skills to build tools to collect, manage and analyze the Big Data
  • To introduce students to some applications of Big Data Technology

Program Details

For program requirements and further details refer to the catalog - Undergraduate Minor Program in Big Data Technology.

Electives List

The non-COMP course(s) which could be substituted the BDT minor elective courses is/are reviewed on case-by-case basis.

Deadline

First batch application deadline (with effective term in Fall 2024-25): on or before noon, 6 September 2024 (Friday). Note that final year students are not allowed to declare minor in their last regular term of studies.