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COMP41915: Data Analytics in Action

Type Tied
Level 4
Credits 15
Availability Available in 2025/2026
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Computer Science

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations 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.
  • 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 assessments consist of 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

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures91 per week2 hours18Yes
Workshops41 every other week2 hours8Yes
Preparation and Reading124 
Total150 

Summative Assessment

Component: CourseworkComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Assignment50
Assignment50

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.

More information

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