COMP SCI 7208 - Programming and Computational Thinking for Data Science

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2018

This course will develop your coding and problem solving skills with a focus on data science. You will learn algorithm design as well as fundamental programming concepts such as data, selection, iteration and functional decomposition, data abstraction and organisation. This course will test your knowledge and skills in solving small-scale data science problems working with real-world datasets, and develop your understanding of big data in the world around you. You will also learn core computational thinking concepts including decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithmic thinking. These concepts will be applied to data representation and analysis and the processes of cleaning, presenting, and visualizing data. The course will also explain mathematical representations, probabilistic and statistical models, dimension reduction and Bayesian models. You will use tools such as R, MOA and data processing libraries in associated language environments.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code COMP SCI 7208
    Course Programming and Computational Thinking for Data Science
    Coordinating Unit Computer Science
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 10 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Master of Data Science only
    Assessment Programming assignments 50%, final exam 50%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Alicia Zakarevicius

    Lecturers:

    Rafael Felix Alves (rafael.felixalves@adelaide.edu.au)
    Tao Zhang (tao.zhang01@adelaide.edu.au)
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Design, implement and test algorithms using fundamental programming constructs and data structures.
    2 Identify, evaluate and use information sources to support the practice of programming, including APIs, tutorials and documentation.
    3 Explain and apply object-oriented concepts, including abstraction, interfaces, inheritance and polymorphism.
    4 Determine and compare the runtime complexity of common searching and sorting techniques and their implementations – both iterative and recursive.
    5 Identify and apply searching and sorting techniques (linear and binary search, selection, insertion, merge, quick, bucket sorts).
    6 Identify and apply basic data structures: linked list, stack, queue, qraph, tree (ordered, binary, balanced).
    7 Design, implement and test solutions to problems selecting appropriate data structures and basic algorithmic techiques (brute force, divide and conquer, transform and conquer, greedy).
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-7
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    2
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no required text. The course will make use of various online resources.
    Online Learning
    In this course, we use an online discussion forum and learning environment available through the course MyUni Canvas page. Through Canvas you will be able to view videos, take online quizzes and access all course content.

    This course makes extensive use of on-line learning and it will be very challenging to fully participate or perform at your best unless you regularly access the materials available in the online form. It is your responsibility to regularly check this forum for notices, and to participate in online activities.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes CBOK Alignment**
    Practicals 20 Individual Formative Weeks 1-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1.1 1.2 3.1 3.2 4.1
    Quizzes 10 Individual Summative Weeks 3-12 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1.1 1.2
    Prac exam 10 Individual Summative Weeks 3-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1.1 1.2 3.1 3.2 4.1
    Final theory quiz 30 Individual Summative Week 13 Min 40% 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1.1 1.2
    Final prac exam 30 Individual Summative Week 13 Min 40% 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1.1 1.2 3.1 3.2 4.1
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
     
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.

    **CBOK is the Core Body of Knowledge for ICT Professionals defined by the Australian Computer Society. The alignment in the table above corresponds with the following CBOK Areas:

    1. Problem Solving
    1.1 Abstraction
    1.2 Design

    2. Professional Knowledge
    2.1 Ethics
    2.2 Professional expectations
    2.3 Teamwork concepts & issues
    2.4 Interpersonal communications
    2.5 Societal issues
    2.6 Understanding of ICT profession

    3. Technology resources
    3.1 Hardware & Software
    3.2 Data & information
    3.3 Networking

    4. Technology Building
    4.1 Programming
    4.2 Human factors
    4.3 Systems development
    4.4 Systems acquisition

    5.  ICT Management
    5.1 IT governance & organisational
    5.2 IT project management
    5.3 Service management 
    5.4 Security management
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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
  • 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.