Academic Handbook Course Descriptors and Programme Specifications

LDSCI6208 Final Project (Computer or Data Science) Course Descriptor

Last modified on September 12th, 2024 at 4:14 pm

Course code	LDSCI6208	Discipline US credit Date approved	Computer & Data Science
UK credit	30		8
FHEQ level	6		November 2022
Core attributes	Communicating in Public and Professional Contexts (CPPC); Demonstrating Thought and Action in a Final Project (FP)
Pre-requisites	This course is only available to students for whom Data Science is their main degree discipline (or for Joint Honours students, one of their two main degree disciplines).
Co-requisites	None

Course Overview

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply state-of-the-art methods, tools and techniques in computer and data science by managing a software project that solves a substantial, real-world problem. The design and implementation of software artefacts is described and reflected in the dissertation. Project dissertations based solely on literature review or user/market surveys are not acceptable. The course builds upon the variety of material being taught during the programme in earlier courses.

In this course, after an initial group seminar with the course leader, students meet with an assigned supervisor to finalise the subject of their project and discuss and refine the project requirements. Once the project artefact and its accompanying report has been submitted, students defend it with a presentation and demo.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

K1c	Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of software design principles, tools and techniques when developing software.
K2c	Accurately identify, analyse, and interpret software requirements to solve a computing problem; and systematically understand different design stages.
K3c	Demonstrate detailed critical engagement with software tools and technologies required to solve a computing problem.

Subject Specific Skills

S1c	Familiarity with codes of ethics (e.g. code licencing) and codes of practice (e.g. testing) for software development underpinning the development of high quality, high integrity software systems. — Ability to convey software problems and solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences.
S2c	Demonstrate ability to recognise the individual software components required to solve a computing problem, create them or interface with them, and design their interaction.
S3c	Demonstrate ability to engage in a peer review process that involves critical review of software and related documentation, coupled with positive advice for improvement and innovation.

Transferable and Employability Skills

T1c	Communicate persuasively across audiences and genres, conveying academic materials to both specialist and non-specialist audiences using visual, written, or verbal techniques
T2c &T4c	Demonstrate programming skills with a range of up-to-date, well-proven software development tools and libraries.
T3c	Display an advanced level of technical proficiency in written English and competence in applying scholarly terminology, so as to be able to apply skills in critical evaluation, analysis and judgement effectively in a diverse range of contexts.

Teaching and Learning

This course has a dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) page with a range of resources to orientate the student and provide support for their directed study.

The teaching and learning activities for this course are: 14 scheduled hours.

Indicative example:

12 hours of seminars / workshops
2 hours of 1:1 or small-group meetings
Office Hours (up to 4 short meetings)

Faculty hold regular ‘office hours’, which are opportunities for students to drop in or sign up to explore ideas, raise questions, or seek targeted guidance or feedback, individually or in small groups.

Students are to attend and participate in all the scheduled teaching and learning activities for this course and to manage their directed learning and independent study.

Indicative total learning hours for this course: 300

Assessment

Both formative and summative assessment are used as part of this course, with purely formative opportunities typically embedded within interactive teaching sessions, office hours, and/or the VLE.

Summative Assessments

AE:

Assessment Activity

Weighting

(%)

Duration

Length

(words)

Presentation

15 min.

Written Assignment

7,000

Further information about the assessments can be found in the Course Syllabus.

Feedback

Students will receive formative and summative feedback in a variety of ways, written (e.g. marked up on assignments, through email or the VLE) or oral (e.g. as part of interactive teaching sessions or in office hours).

Indicative Reading

The required and recommended reading and any other resources will be agreed based on an initial discussion between the student and the supervisor.

Indicative Topics

Note: Comprehensive and current topics for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative topics provided below are used as a general guide and part of the approval/modification process only.

Problem statement definition
Software design and implementation
Debugging and testing of software components
Documentation
Presentation and demonstration

Version History

Title: LDSCI6208 Final Project (Computer or Data Science) Course Descriptor Approved by: Academic Board Location: academic-handbook/programme-specifications-and-handbooks/undergraduate-programmes
Version number	Date approved	Date published	Owner	Proposed next review date	Modification (as per AQF4) & category number
1.2	July 2023	September 2024	Dr Alexandros Koliousis	November 2027	Category 1: Corrections/clarifications to documents which do not change approved content or learning outcomes.
1.1	December 2022	August 2023	Dr Alexandros Koliousis	November 2027	Category 1: Corrections/clarifications to documents which do not change approved content or learning outcomes.
1.0	November 2022	January 2023	Dr Alexandros Koliousis	November 2027