Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module COMP41915: Data Analytics in Action

Department: Computer Science

COMP41915: Data Analytics in Action

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2021/22
Tied to G5K709

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide an appreciation of descriptive and prescriptive business-analytics techniques.
  • To provide knowledge of, and ability to apply, a range of descriptive and predictive business-analytics techniques.
  • To implement descriptive and predictive business-analytics models using appropriate software.
  • To provide knowledge of, and ability to apply, data visualisation using appropriate software.

Content

  • Descriptive techniques such as data visualisation, data analysis, and descriptive statistics.
  • Predictive techniques such as clustering and classification.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students should:
  • Have in-depth knowledge of a range of descriptive and predictive business-analytics techniques and be able to apply them critically to management problems.
  • Have an understanding of the applicability and limitations of descriptive and predictive business-analytics techniques;
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • Implement descriptive and predictive business-analytics models using appropriate software packages;
  • Interpret the results of descriptive and predictive business analytics models and their relevance for companies.
Key Skills:
  • Effective written communication
  • Planning, organising and time-management
  • Problem solving and analysis
  • Interpreting and using data
  • Making effective use of communication and information technology
  • Data visualisation

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Learning outcomes are met through classroom-based workshops, supported by online resources. The workshops consist of a combination of taught input, computer practical sessions, group work, case studies and discussion. Online resources provide preparatory material for the workshops – typically consisting of directed reading and video content.
  • The formative assessment consists of classroom-based exercises involving individual and group analyses and presentations on specific business situations/problems relevant to the learning outcomes of the module.
  • The summative assessment is an individual business analytics project, which is designed to test the ability to formulate a problem, apply appropriate business-analytics techniques to analyse it, and critically interpret the results obtained.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 1 a week 2 hours 20
Computer workshops (max 25 students) 4 1 every 2 weeks 1 hour 4
Preparation and reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Statistical modelling with Excel 50%
Data handling and visualisation 50%

Formative Assessment:

The formative assessment consists of classroom-based exercises involving individual and group analyses and presentations on specific business situations/problems relevant to the learning outcomes of the module. Oral and written feedback will be given on a group and/or individual basis as appropriate.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University