Data Science (Professional)

The MSc Data Science (Professional) is an innovative taught course designed and delivered with industry and targeted at professionals who are unable to study full-time. The course will cover the core areas of data science (e.g. machine learning, statistics) as well as underpinning tools (e.g. programming, mathematics), specific applications (e.g. network analysis, text analysis, machine vision) and social context (e.g. governance, ethics, business applications).

Taught modules will be delivered in a ‘short and fat’ format (typically in 3-day intensive blocks) both on campus at University of Exeter and off-campus at selected locations (e.g. central London, partner organisations). Assessment will be designed to fit around a student’s other commitments and where possible will be focused on their organisational context. Students will undertake two substantial research projects based in their

 organisation which will be closely supported by academics with relevant expertise. Industry experts are regularly consulted on course content and will sometimes act as guest lecturers, ensuring relevance to modern business needs. The course is typically offered in a 2 year format allowing students to study alongside employment. 

This programme is available for open registrations but is primarily used to deliver the academic content for a Level 7 Apprenticeship, currently using the approved standard for “Research Scientist”. More information about this standard can be found here. A mapping of the knowledge, skills and behaviours associated with this standard to the modules within this programme is given below.

Data science is a growth area with excellent career development potential. Students will benefit from contact with leading academics and gain a respected qualification alongside their current employment. Employers of students participating in the course will gain valuable knowledge and improve the skills base within their organisation, without losing productivity. University of Exeter is a world-class research active institution which regularly features in UK Top-10 and Global Top-100 rankings. The University is making significant new investment in data science.

The MSc Data Science (Professional) will provide outstanding training in data science tailored to commercial and public sector contexts. Course content will cover the fundamental mathematical and computational techniques underpinning data science applications, with extensive coverage of machine learning and statistical modelling, tools for handling large and complex datasets, image and text analysis, digital media, and the social and legal context for data analytics. Content will be delivered through a combination of intensive “block” teaching (e.g. 3-day residentials incorporating lectures, practicals, seminars and group work), individual self-study, and online interaction with course tutors.  Assessment will primarily be coursework assignments designed to fit around other commitments.

This programme will be taught at both the Streatham campus of the University of Exeter and chosen locations in central London, with the possibility of some blocks taught offsite at the facilities of relevant data science organisations. Two cohorts (Exeter and London) will receive identical delivery, with the aim of making the programme accessible to wider range of students and geographical areas. A staggered teaching schedule will be used to achieve this mirrored delivery across different locations (e.g. each 3-day teaching block will be repeated the following week in the other location).Industry partners will also contribute to course design and offer guest lectures and specialist training. This course format is currently unique in the UK and represents a distinctive industry-focused approach to postgraduate training in data science.

The MSc Data Science (Professional) programme is a 2 year programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into 2 ‘Stages’. Each Stage is normally equivalent to an academic year. The programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.

For the 2 year format, two Stages will each consist of 90 credits to give 180 credits in total.

Interim Awards

If you do not complete the programme you may be able to exit with a lower qualification:

- Postgraduate Diploma: At least 120 credits of which 90 or more must be at level M.

- Postgraduate Certificate: At least 60 credits of which 45 or more must be at level M.

Mapping to the Level 7 Research Scientist standard

When used to deliver the academic content needed for this apprenticeship, the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) associated with the apprenticeship have been mapped to programme modules.' 

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.  Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College web site:

http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/studentinfo/subjects/computerscience/modules/

The programme consists of 180 credits with 90 credits taken at each stage where the programme is offered part time over 2 years and 60 credits taken at each stage where the programme is offered part time over 3 years. In total, participants must take at least 180 credits at NQF level 7. The pass mark for award of credit in PG modules (NQF level 7) is 50%.

Progression

Condonement is the process that allows you to be awarded credit (and so progress to the next stage or, in the final stage, receive an award), despite failing to achieve a pass mark at a first attempt. You are not entitled to reassessment in condoned credit.

Up to (45/30/20) credits of failure can be condoned on the following conditions:

a. You must have completed and been assessed in modules amounting to sufficient credit for the final award (i.e. 180 credits for a Masters; 120 credits for a PGDip; and 60 credits for a PGCert).

b. You must pass the modules marked with a ‘Yes’ in the ‘non-condonable’ column in the tables above.

c. You must achieve an average mark of at least 50% across the full 60 or 90 credits of assessment in the stage, including any failed and condoned modules.

d. Condonement can only be applied to failed modules where a mark of 40 – 49 has been achieved.

Condonement will be considered at the end of the programme based on all module results but any non-condonable fails will be referred or deferred immediately.

Assessment and Awards

The award will normally be based on at least 180 credits of which 150 or more must be at NQF level 7

Classification

The marking of modules and the classification of awards broadly corresponds to the following percentage marks:

Postgraduate Degrees

Distinction   70%+

Merit            60-69%

Pass            50-59%

Full details of  PGT programmes assessment regulations can be found in the Teaching Quality Assurance Manual (TQA) on the University of Exeter website.  Generic marking criteria are also published here.

Please see the Teaching and Quality Assurance Manual for further guidance.

In accordance with University policy a system of personal tutors is in place for all students on this programme.  A University-wide statement on such provision is included in the University’s TQA Manual.  As a student enrolled on this programme you will receive the personal and academic support of the Programme Coordinator and will have regular scheduled meetings with your Personal Tutor; you may request additional meetings as and when required. The role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.

Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  Help may be obtained through the Helpdesk, and most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University’s campus network.

Additionally, the College has its own dedicated IT support staff, helpdesk and computer facilities which are linked to the wider network, but which also provide access to some specialised software packages.  Email is an important channel of communication between staff and students in the College and an extensive range of web-based information (see https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/) is maintained for the use of students, including a comprehensive and annually revised student handbook.

The Harrison Learning Resource Centre is generally open during building open hours. The Centre is available for quiet study, with four separate rooms that can be booked for meetings and group work. Amongst its facilities, the Learning Resource Centre has a number of desks, four meeting rooms with large LCD screens, and free use of a photocopier. Also available are core set texts from your module reading lists, and undergraduate and MSc projects from the past two years.

Online Module study resources provide materials for modules that you are registered for, in addition to some useful subject and IT resources. Generic study support resources, library and research skills, past exam papers, and the ‘Academic Honesty and Plagiarism’ module are also available through the student portal (http://vle.exeter.ac.uk).

Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.

Entry requirements for this programme can be found on the Postgraduate Study Page.

Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements and English Language requirements of the University of Exeter.

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice.  See the University's TQA Manual for details.

Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).