Official (Closed), Non-Sensitive
School of Computing IT8701 Introduction to Programming for Data Science
SCHOOL OF COMPUTING
IT8701 INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING FOR DATA SCIENCE
MODULE OVERVIEW
1. Introduction
Introduction to Programming for Data Science is a first year module for the Specialist Diploma in
Data Science course.
2. Module Aims
This module provides students with the fundamental skills to code applications to retrieve,
manipulate, process and visualize data using the Python programming language. Students learn key
concepts such as what structured and unstructured data are, and how they can create and
manipulate relational and NoSQL databases to explore data and to create visualizations that can
help them gain useful insights from it.
3. Module Contents
The topics within the module and the project studies hours are listed as below:
Topic Title Hours
1. Python Basics 12
2. Data Manipulation using the Numpy package 12
3. Data Visualization using the Matplotlib package 12
4. Data Manipulation and Analysis using the Pandas package 12
5. Techniques to process structured and unstructured data 12
Total 60
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Official (Closed), Non-Sensitive
School of Computing IT8701 Introduction to Programming for Data Science
4. Module Map & Teaching Plan
Please refer to POLITEMall -> Module Calendar
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Official (Closed), Non-Sensitive
School of Computing IT8701 Introduction to Programming for Data Science
5. Assessment
The assessment consists of three individual assignments. The weightage and format are as follows:
1. CA1 Assignment 1 40%
2. CA2 Assignment 2 40%
3. CA3 Assignment 3 20%
TOTAL 100%
Notes:
CA1 This is an individual assignment which requires the student to code a Python application that
retrieves and combines data from multiple text files and perform basic data manipulation
operations such as cleansing, transformation and visualization on the data.
CA2 This is an individual assignment which requires the student to code a Python application that
retrieves and combines data from multiple data sources, including relational databases and
NoSQL datastores and perform data cleansing, transformation, visualization and analysis
on it.
CA3 This is an individual assessment component which consists of, but not limited to; quizzes,
lab exercises, participation in class activities, learning attitude and attendance.
6. Resource Materials
1. William Wesley McKinney (2017), Python for Data Analysis, 2nd Edition, O’Reilly
2. Martin Czygan, Phuong Vo.T.H (2015), Getting Started with Python Data Analysis, Packt
3. Luca Massaron, John Mueller (2015), Python for Data Science For Dummies, Wiley
4. Ivan Idris (2015), NumPy: Beginner’s Guide – Third Edition, Packt Publishing
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