Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

This unit answers an urgent call to harness the unprecedented amount of data now generated from every facet of our daily

life by introducing data science as the discipline dealing with collecting, representing, manipulating and visualising data in

contemporary society. Students taking the unit learn to write computer programs to extract, transform and integrate data

from multiple heterogeneous sources, including traditional relational databases and web-based resources. Different data

representation formats such as XML, JSON and HDF5, as well as storage options including SQL and NOSQL type of

databases, are introduced and compared. Another core objective is the development of programming skills to enable

effective and meaningful visualisation of the data. Students are given the opportunity to put the learned knowledge

in data acquisition, data processing, data representation and exploratory visualisation into practice through projects that are

highly relevant to real-world data analytics. The unit provides the fundamental knowledge, introduces the essential

processes for exploratory data analysis and builds the specific critical programming skills required during the journey of growing a student into a capable data scientist.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)Face to face
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) write programs to systematically collect, process and integrate data of different types and from different sources.; (2) select appropriate data visualisation options; (3) demonstrate programming abilities to build solutions for exploratory data analysis using visualisation and clustering techniques; (4) critically assess the outcomes of a data analysis; and (5) communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) mid-semester test; (2) projects; and (3) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Dr Ghulam Mubashar Hassan
Unit rules
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
62510 Master of Information Technology
or 62530 Master of Data Science
or 62560 Master of Renewable and Future Energy
or 62550 Master of Professional Engineering (SP-ECHEM Chemical Engineering specialisation
or SP-EMINI Mining Engineering specialisation
or the SP-ESOFT Software Engineering specialisation)
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science (SP-SSDSC Sensing and Spatial Data Science specialisation)

or
Enrolment in
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or an associated Combined Degree
and Successful completion of
96 points
Contact hours
lectures: 2 hours per week
labs: 2 hours per week
Texts

To be advised by the School of Computer Science and Software Engineering.

  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.