Data Science is a rapidly emerging discipline at the intersection of computer science, statistics, and application domains. The main goal of data science is to extract knowledge and insight from data, which can then be turned into positive action.
This module introduces the fields of Data Science and Big Data. It covers the fundamental steps of the data science process, as well as some specific techniques and case studies. Guest speakers from industry and academia will appear to discuss their data science applications.
There are no programming labs or hands-on data analysis in this module. This is left to other modules in the programme. The idea is instead to provide a high-level discussion of important principles and study the conceptual steps of the data science process. The module is assessed by a critical essay of a specific data science case study, from a recent journal article, selected by the student from a given preselected set of articles. n successful completion of the module, you should be able to:
have a critical knowledge of the fields of data science and big data, including an understanding of the skills required from a data scientist;
develop a critical understanding of the key stages of a data science project, and apply this knowledge while critically analysing a real-world data science case study;
develop a critical awareness of current issues in real-world practical commercial and scientific applications of data science;
communicate, using writing, oral and visual methods, the development and findings of a real-worlOd successful application of data science.
