Course Content

The BSc (Hons) in Computing (Data Analytics and Big Data) has the following content:

NB: Stage 3 of this programme consists of a work placement.

As shown above, students specialise in Data Analytics and Big Data in stage 4. Below is a summary of programme specific modules:

Data Mining and Analytics

Students will gain knowledge in the fundamental concepts in data science and business intelligence. Data Mining and Analytics involves processes and activities designed to obtain and extract useful information from available data stores. 

Students will also gain an appreciation of how high quality data and discovering patterns is an essential component of a modern organisation and how enterprises now rely on their data assets to make informed and increasingly effective decisions.

Managing and Processing Big Data

This module is about scalable approaches to managing and processing large amounts of data (terabytes and petabytes). The module will focus on the entire ecosystem of Apache Hadoop tools and techniques encompassing the Big Data paradigm which is the most accessible and practical means of computing at this scale but will discuss alternatives. Hadoop is built on well-known principles in functional programming and distributed computing.

DBS Employability Pillar

In line with the DBS philosophy of ensuring its graduates have a suite of knowledge, skills and competence that make them readily employable, the programme contains an Employability Pillar of modules that complement the programme specific modules. This pillar of modules ensures students are aware of employer expectations on graduating, enhances their communication skills and time management while positioning the student for academic development during the course of their degree studies.

The DBS Employability Pillar, will demonstrate an awareness of transferable skills and their applicability in ‘real-life’ situations, projects undertaken and how they are applied in different circumstances so that students can take ownership of your own career management. Students will be able to develop realistic career plans and initiate and sustain professional networks and relationships to encourage opportunities for employment and internships. Students will present themselves and their skills, attributes, experiences and qualifications, through effective job applications, CVs, interviews and voluntary activities. This will enable students to develop the necessary skills to compete effectively for a broad range of employment, postgraduate study options and innovative opportunities available to them and further develop lifelong learning and continuous professional development.

Teaching and Assessment

Throughout the programme, learners will experience a varied range of teaching and learning strategies. Modules will be delivered through a mix of lectures and hands on lab sessions, with tutorials in place to support where necessary. Emphasis will be placed on practical skills by allowing the students to examine problem descriptions and try possible solutions in lab scenarios. This teaching approach is reflected in the assessment of modules with a mixture of individual projects, lab based exams, group assignments, continuous assessments, reflective reports and group project work. These assessments will also be accompanied by end of year examinations.