SCIENCE 1500 - Introductory Data Science - Becoming Smart About Data

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

Delve into the rapidly emerging field of data science and learn to apply it to your future career. Touted as the ?sexiest job of the 21st century? by the Harvard Business Review, and the best current job by Forbes magazine in 2016, students with data science skills are sought after across all industries. Data science techniques will enhance your employability regardless of the degree you are studying. Why? Because ?big data? and advanced problem solving skills inform decision making and innovation for all organisations. Scientists are transforming the research frontier by using machine learning techniques to find Higgs bosons, classify galaxies or unravel genetic codes. Businesses are using the same techniques to identify credit card fraud, perform social network analysis and to develop automatic approaches to targeted marketing. In this course, you will become familiar with all major modern approaches to data science, including machine learning techniques and big data analysis strategies. Critically, students in this course will learn via an innovative and multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving. After a basic introduction to the different types of data analysis problem, students will be introduced to a variety of algorithms from the research frontier. To keep the course accessible to a broad audience, no mathematical knowledge will be assumed, and students will instead gain a hands-on, intuitive knowledge of how the algorithms work by using simple spreadsheet examples. A wide variety of problems from physics, chemistry, biology, health sciences and business will be used to encourage students to view problems through the lens of a different discipline; this will enhance your ability to spot innovative solutions to research problems in your own field. For business students, it will give you an ability to determine what your company or employer needs to remain competitive. Through this topic, you will develop transferable skills that will allow you to connect science to everyday issues, and you will also learn how to use real-world problems to solve new problems in science.

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Course Details

Course Code	SCIENCE 1500
Course	Introductory Data Science - Becoming Smart About Data
Coordinating Unit	Physics
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 4 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assessment	Assignments, project report and tests

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Martin White

Dr Martin White

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

The anticipated knowledge, skills and attitudes to be developed by the student in this course are:

1	an understanding of what data science is and how it is both practised and applied
2	a knowledge of the different classes of data science algorithm (including k-means clustering, principal component analysis, regression analysis, association rules, k-nearest neighbours, neural networks, social network analysis, self-organising maps, decision trees and random forests)
3	an ability to suggest which type of algorithm would suit a particular problem from business, science or health science
4	an ability to confidently discuss data science problems, both orally and in writing
5	an ability to interpret the output of data science algorithms
6	an understanding of data science problems in the abstract, in addition to their discipline-specific content
7	critical and logical thinking

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1,2,3,4,5,6
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	3,5,6,7
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	3,4,7
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	2,3,4,5,6
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1,4

Learning Resources

Online Learning

MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au).
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be delivered by the following means:
- 1 x 2 hr weekly lecture
- 1 x 2 hr weekly computer laboratory sessions
Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

The first class each week will be devoted to group and open discussion of what data science is and how it works. This will include short lecture segments that introduce and develop an understanding of different data science methods (e.g. k-means clustering, neural networks), then group discussion of problems that use that particular technique. Sample output of data science algorithms will be provided for a range of problems from business, health science, geology, chemistry and physics to aid discussion. Students will spend some time discussing problems with students in the same discipline, and some time discussing problems with students from other disciplines. This will facilitate an understanding of the similarities and differences between naively disparate problems.

The second session each week will involve hands-on computer work, in which an intuitive knowledge of data science algorithms will be developed by using spreadsheet examples. Here, students will be able to actually apply the techniques that they learnt in the workshop sessions. These sessions will involve assessment via question sheets. In addition to these activities, two literature comprehension exercises will be run to encourage students to engage with the research literature (this will be assessed by written report). Finally, a project will be developed by students in the last two weeks of the computer lab sessions, with assessment via written report.

Specific Course Requirements

Both the computer laboratory sessions and the workshops are compulsory.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Hurdle	Learning Outcome	Due
PC lab in-class exercises	Formative & Summative	30%	No	1,2,3	Weeks 1-10
Literature exercise 1	Formative & Summative	15%	No	1-7	Week 4
Literature exercise 2	Formative & Summative	15%	No	1-7	Week 9
In-semester tests	Formative & Summative	10%	No	1,2,3	Week 6 & 10
Final project	Summative	30%	No	1-7	Week 12

Assessment Related Requirements

Computer laboratory sessions are compulsory. This includes attendance and conduct of the required computer work, which will be assessed during the session.

The workshops are compulsory as they involve group discussion that cannot be conducted online.

The learning outcomes for this course are substantially dependent on computer laboratory experience and practice, and on the outcomes of the workshop discussions.

Assessment Detail

In-semester tests (total of 10%)
Students will complete a total of 2 in-semester tests during semester (worth 5% each). These are designed to refresh knowledge of a topic and indicate the major points students are required to learn in preparation for the final project. Tests will consist of short answer, discursive questions. They are held at the start of tutorial sessions. Students receive feedback one week later.

Final project report (30%)
Students will prepare a 2000 word report on the results of the project undertaken during the final two weeks of computer lab sessions. Students will work individually, and will pick problems from a pre-prepared set. Students will be assessed on their problem-solving ability, understanding of data science techniques and communication skills.

Literature review exercises (30%)
Students will complete two literature comprehension exercises during the course. Examples of data science applications will be taken from the research literature. Students will have to read the paper, then attend a 2 hour tutorial at which they get to ask questions. They will then prepare a written report of 1000 words detailing their understanding. 2 of these will be completed in total (worth 15% each).

PC lab in-class tests (30%)
During the first ten weeks of PC lab sessions, students will complete a short question sheet testing their knowledge of the algorithm that is introduced that week. This will include questions relating to changing the spreadsheet example and documenting the changes (via either multiple choice questions, or short written answers). Students will receive feedback one week later.

Submission

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator