Unit information: Introduction to Data Science in 2021/22

Unit name	Introduction to Data Science
Unit code	EMAT20011
Credit points	10
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Cristianini
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	EMAT10100, EMAT10704, EMAT10007, EMAT10006, EMAT20920
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will introduce core data analysis skills and concepts. Students will acquire fundamental data science skills including importing and exporting data, data visualisation, detecting statistical patterns, and testing their statistical significance. They will be introduced to key concepts from statistics and machine learning such as classification and regression, clustering and linear manifolds, time series analysis, multi-dimensional probability distributions, feature selection and generation, and network analysis. They will be exposed to different types of data and patterns and gain experience in data analysis using suitable software tools and packages.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to

1. Explain and use key concepts in machine learning and statistics
2. When presented with a data set, identify and apply suitable data analysis methods.
3. Use data visualisation methods to gain insight into data, and to explain their findings.
4. Test the statistical significance of any patterns the identify.
5. Use software packages/toolboxes for data analysis.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions or online computer laboratories and problem sheets.

Assessment Information

1 Summative Assessment, 100% - Coursework. This will assess all ILOs.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EMAT20011).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.