General Information
Organisations use their data for decision support and to build data-intensive products and services. The collection of skills required by organisations to support these functions has been grouped under the term Data Science. This subject will articulate the expected output of data scientists and then equip students with the ability to deliver against these expectations. A particular focus will be given to the tools required to model, store, clean, manipulate, and ultimately extract information out of stored data.
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Details
Academic unit: Bond Business School Subject code: DTSC71-200 Subject title: Data Science Subject level: Postgraduate Semester/Year: January 2025 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Standard Workload items: - Forum: x12 (Total hours: 24) - Forum
- Computer Lab: x12 (Total hours: 24) - Computer Lab
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 72) - Recommended study time & reviewing materials
Attendance and learning activities: Attendance at all class sessions is expected. Students are expected to notify the instructor of any absences with as much advance notice as possible. +++++ BBS uses a self and peer-evaluation system to support students engaged in group-based assessments. Students are expected to provide this feedback in a timely fashion as part of their assessment. The information gathered is used by the educator as partial evidence of equitable contributions by all group members and helps to determine individual marks for group assessments. -
Resources
Prescribed resources: No Prescribed resources.
After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List.iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications.
Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student.
To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
| Academic unit: | Bond Business School |
|---|---|
| Subject code: | DTSC71-200 |
| Subject title: | Data Science |
| Subject level: | Postgraduate |
| Semester/Year: | January 2025 |
| Credit points: | 10.000 |
| Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
|---|---|
| Delivery mode: | Standard |
| Workload items: |
|
| Attendance and learning activities: | Attendance at all class sessions is expected. Students are expected to notify the instructor of any absences with as much advance notice as possible. +++++ BBS uses a self and peer-evaluation system to support students engaged in group-based assessments. Students are expected to provide this feedback in a timely fashion as part of their assessment. The information gathered is used by the educator as partial evidence of equitable contributions by all group members and helps to determine individual marks for group assessments. |
| Prescribed resources: | No Prescribed resources. After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List. |
|---|---|
| iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Nil |
|---|---|
| Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge. Basic R programming (equivalent to the first part of DTSC71-100). Students without the assumed knowledge of R programming, are encouraged to take both subjects DTSC71-200 and DTSC71-100 together (in the same semester). |
| Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in common and advanced statistical learning techniques using the R programming language.
- Demonstrate ability to access data from databases using SQL, APIs and traditional formats and categorise the usage of different data formats.
- Build data-driven statistical models to address data focused on common and complex business problems.
- Apply advanced data visualisation techniques to communicate solutions to management.
- Communicate technical solutions to technical and non-technical stakeholders in a professional, concise written report.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
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Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Computer-Aided Examination (Open) Mid-semester examination addressing theoretical content to date. 40.00% Week 7 (Mid-Semester Examination Period) 1,2,3 Skills Assignment Decision Tree and Logistic Regression Assignment. Students are required to apply the skills learned in lectures and workshops to data to solve a real-world problem. 20.00% Week 8 1,2,3,4 Skills Assignment Nearest-Neighbours and Clustering Assignment. Students are required to apply the skills learned in lectures and workshops to data to solve a real-world problem. 20.00% Week 12 1,2,3,4 Skills Assignment Project Students are required to create a visualisation dashboard using the functions created in the previous assignments. 20.00% Week 13 1,2,3,4,5 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
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Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
| Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer-Aided Examination (Open) | Mid-semester examination addressing theoretical content to date. | 40.00% | Week 7 (Mid-Semester Examination Period) | 1,2,3 |
| Skills Assignment | Decision Tree and Logistic Regression Assignment. Students are required to apply the skills learned in lectures and workshops to data to solve a real-world problem. | 20.00% | Week 8 | 1,2,3,4 |
| Skills Assignment | Nearest-Neighbours and Clustering Assignment. Students are required to apply the skills learned in lectures and workshops to data to solve a real-world problem. | 20.00% | Week 12 | 1,2,3,4 |
| Skills Assignment | Project Students are required to create a visualisation dashboard using the functions created in the previous assignments. | 20.00% | Week 13 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
| High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
| Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
| Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
| Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless the Lead Educator grants an extension. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.
Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.
If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.
Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.
Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).
As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.
For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.
Additional subject information
As part of the requirements for Business School quality accreditation, the Bond Business School employs an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Subject curriculum
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Introduction
An introduction to the field of Data Science, including the main skills and attributes of data scientists. An overview of data science terminology and the R programming language is also provided.
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Reproducible Research & Entropy
There is a growing trend in the quantitative fields towards producing reproducible research. The reasons for this trend and approaches to producing reproducible research using R are examined. Variable importance is also considered through the topic of Entropy.
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Data & Data formats
Real world data is never conveniently packaged into bite-size files. In this topic, students learn to deal with the myriad of data formats available, as well as being introduced to the world of programmable APIs and databases.
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Databases / SQL
Builds on previous topics with an in-depth exploration of databases and SQL. Students become proficient at reading relational database structures, and self-servicing their own data requirements using remote databases.
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Decision Trees
An introduction to decision trees, including the use of R and real-world data to construct and assess the quality of decision trees. The role of entropy in the underlying decision making framework is also examined.
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Logistic Regression
The mathematical structure of logistic regression is introduced using R. This technique is also compared to decision trees to evaluate which techniques work best with different types of data.
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Overfitting & Comparing Models
Additional considerations in modelling are introduced including assessing model quality, comparing models statistically, and the dangers of overfitting. Confusion matrices and ROC curves are also introduced.
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Visualisation & Data Products
A common deployment scenario in data science is through Shiny data visualisation. Students learn about visualisation the Shiny framework and a variety of packages available in R to produce high quality visualisations.
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Similarity & Nearest Neighbours
The measurement of similarity and distance in n-dimensional space is explored, including the as the related data science technique, nearest neighbours. Applications using real world data in R to create and interpret nearest neighbour models are also considered.
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Clustering
The final data science technique on this subject, clustering, is introduced. The unsupervised learning technique known as clustering is introduced and compared with the nearest neighbours technique. Applications using real world data in R to create and interpret clustering models are also introduced.
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Business Strategy
Provides a review and integration of the concepts and techniques introduced throughout the subject from a business perspective. Additionally, the specific kinds of business problems that can be solved using data science and a preview of a career as a data scientist are discussed to provide further context for the content of the subject.