Data Science Masters Degree - MSc/PgD/PgC drafted

Program Overview

Compulsory modules:

This module aims to foster in students a critical appreciation of project management principles and practices in preparation for when they will manage – or be managed via – technology projects.

This module is designed to enable the student to develop a critical appreciation of a range of business process analysis approaches and to explore key contemporary issues regarding their application in organisations.

This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in handling spatial data, and to both identify and understand any patterns revealed within that data through the application of various techniques in spatial analysis.

The aim of this module is to help students acquire skills for job roles of Data Scientist, Data Modellers and Data Analyst. Students taking this module will have the opportunity to understand and implement various statistical and computational techniques for analysing datasets using various industry standard software and programming languages.

The aim of this module is to equip the student with the skills, knowledge and techniques necessary to produce a dissertation with a research or technical focus.

This module provides students with the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in handling social media data that is generated from user activity.

The aim of the technology project is for the student to apply knowledge, skills and techniques developed during directed and independent study to solve a real world technology related project. The technology project may take the form of an in-depth research project or the development of a computer system.

This module aims to provide an insight into the implementation of data security in computer systems and to encourage students to appreciate the practical and theoretical management principles associated with information security.

To obtain an MSc degree, you must follow and successfully complete a total of 180 credits. PgC (60 credits) and PgD (120 credits) may be awarded as standalone or exit awards.

Program Outline

A range of teaching methods are used in Cardiff School of Technologies, including studios, practical workshops, tutorials, seminars, and real-world case studies, all supported by online learning via Moodle. With a student-centred approach, the school operates an open-door policy to staff and all students will be assigned a personal tutor.

Studios

Studios are a major part of the teaching strategy for the programme. Studios are an effective way of delivering core material and establishing a framework for a module against which other material can be set. Unlike a typical lecture theatre setting, these sessions enable more interactions among the lecturers and group of students.

Practical Workshops

In these sessions, students can practice and refine their skills in a supportive environment where they can receive feedback from a member of academic staff. Practical workshops represent a valuable transition between theory and the workplace. These sessions also involve tutorials where a students or group of students can meet with their tutor and are used in two ways within the programme:

(a) expanding upon material covered in lectures through an enquiry-driven problem-solving approach

(b) remedial work to overcome any deficiencies in a student's background knowledge.

Seminars

Seminars involve a student or students presenting previously prepared work to peers and a lecturer. This strategy is used to extend specific theoretical or practical concepts as well as introducing problem solving exercises. Seminars are used in most modules and provide students with valuable experience in presentational skills as well as providing staff with a method of assessing student-centred learning. These sessions can be conducted either in standalone manner or can be combined with studios or workshops as well, depending upon the learning objectives of a specific module.

Case Studies

Case studies are a teaching and learning strategy, employed in a range of modules; they also are a useful assessment tool. Students are presented with or asked to develop real or simulated complex problems which they are required to analyse in detail and then synthesise/present their own solution in writing or orally.

Online learning platforms

All modules will be supported by Moodle and MS Teams providing students with a wide range of learning material and study guidance.