Data Science and Analytics (MSc)

How will I be taught?

The methods of teaching we employ will vary from module to module, as appropriate depending on the subject matter and the method of assessment. We teach using a mixture of lectures, seminars, computer workshops and tutorials.

Programming skills and the use of relevant software packages will be taught in our dedicated computer suites. We often invite industry experts to give presentations, which our students are welcome to attend.

We will allocate three supervisors to you for your dissertation project. Usually your supervisors will be two members of academic staff with an interest or specialism in your field of research and a sponsor supervisor from the organisation you will work with during your project. You should meet regularly with your supervisor throughout your project.

How will I be assessed?

We will assess your progress throughout the course. These assessments may take the form of written exam papers, in-module assignments, and the project dissertation, where knowledge and technical competence will be appraised.  We may also use group work, oral presentations and poster displays to test communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

How will I be supported?

All of our students are allocated a personal tutor within both the School of Mathematics, and the School of Computer Science and Informatics when they enrol on the course. A personal tutor is there to support you during your studies, and can advise you on academic and personal matters that may be affecting you.

You will have access to the Trevithick Library, which holds our collection of mathematical and computer science-related resources, as well as to the other Cardiff University libraries.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of our academic discipline.

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to identify appropriate methods for the solution of problems in Data Science and Analytics.
• Initiative and personal responsibility in decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.
• Systematic and creative methods for dealing with complex issues; sound judgement making in the absence of complete data.

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Advanced scholarship and practical experience in programming skills, data handling and extraction skills, machine learning and informatics skills, and problem solving and modelling skills
• An ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.

Transferable/Key Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and practical means to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Effectivel working in a team and as an individual.
• The ability to apply logical and analytic thinking to problems.