Our Data Science (with Specialisation in Visualization) MSc gives you the knowledge, experience and expertise to solve real-world problems and realise data-driven insights for organisations.
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About this course
Data Visualisation is an increasingly important part of data science and aims to bridge the gap between the human and data, by supporting human perception and cognition to make sense of data analytics outputs.
The Data Science (with Specialisation in Visualisation) MSc was created in collaboration with a number of high profile industry leaders to address the skills shortage in data analytics. The course brings together students and industry practitioners in a setting which new technologies are developed and translated into industry practice.
This MSc forms part of the following suite of data science courses:
- Data Science MSc, PGDip, PGCert
- Data Science (with specialisation in Artificial Intelligence)
- Data Science (with Specialisation in Statistics) MSc, PGDip, PGCert.
What you'll learn
Through this course you'll receive a comprehensive grounding in theory and application of data science. You'll also gain the ability to apply these skills to real problems in a given application area.
Through project work, you'll experience the full lifecycle from design of interactive visualization to experimental evaluation of an advanced visualization approach.
Topics covered in the course include:
- cloud computing
- Bayesian statistics
- machine learning.
Your development
We have substantial expertise in data science, focusing on a wide range of application areas. This includes:
- healthcare
- transport
- cybersecurity
- smart cities
- manufacturing.
We are home to the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD). We are also a partner of the Alan Turing Institute, the national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. All our academic staff involved in teaching data science modules have international reputations for their contributions to the field. Many of them have extensive experience as practitioners in industry as well as work in academia.
You will be encouraged to play a full part in the life of the School of Computing, including:
- taking advantage of dedicated computing and study facilities
- participating in seminars delivered by researchers and distinguished external speakers.
Project work
We'll provide you with the opportunity to undertake a project with industry, working alongside organisations and collaborating with the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD).
Throughout the degree you'll undertake individual and group-based projects.
Your six-month individual project gives you an opportunity to:
- develop and deepen your knowledge and skills
- work in a research or development team.
You can develop your project:
- at the University under an academic supervisor
- by securing an industrial placement working with your current employer.
You will have one-to-one supervision from an experienced member of staff, supported with supervision from industry partners as required.
Delivery
The School of Computing and School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics deliver the course. The course starts in mid-September. You will be taught in modern facilities in the newly-opened Urban Sciences Building. The course has three phases.
In phase one you’ll be introduced to core knowledge and skills in statistics and computer science. These modules are taught as an intensive block, with two modules taught concurrently for full-time students. Teaching is timetabled to accommodate participants from industry, working alongside full-time employment.
Phase two will present further advanced technical modules. You will be introduced to the aspects that underlie all areas of data science practice including:
- professionalism
- legislation
- ethics.
This phase also includes a group project in collaboration with industry. You'll develop and evaluate a data science solution to a complex, real-world problem.
Phase three is an individual research and development project. You'll receive personal supervision in one of the School’s research labs in collaboration with industry or with your current employer.
You'll be assessed by a portfolio of practical work, accompanied by an oral interview. There will be no written examinations as part of the Data Science MSc.
If you’re a part time student, you have the flexibility to study over two years. The part time version of the course encourages participation of practitioners from industry. As a part time student you can:
- align your assessed work with the priorities of your job role
- carry out your individual project in your place of work (as long as the supervisory processes in place meet University standards).
Facilities
You will be part of the School of Computing, based in the Urban Sciences Building on our Newcastle Helix campus area of campus.
You'll benefit from the great facilities in our brand new £58m building. These include:
- cyber-physical systems laboratory
- decision theatre for data visualisation
- flat floor teaching facilities
- 315 PCs with a Raspberry Pi3 on every desk.
The building and its surrounding area is becoming a living laboratory, underpinning research to make urban centres more sustainable for future generations. Research at Newcastle Helix focusses on:
- cyber-physical systems
- infrastructure
- smart grids
- future of our city
- big data.
For full How to Apply details, please see Programme information online.
