MSc Data Analysis for Business Intelligence Student Handbook 2017-18 - Department of Mathematics - University of ...
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Department of Mathematics MSc Data Analysis for Business Intelligence Student Handbook 2017-18
MSC DATA ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 2 HANDBOOK 2017-18 Table of Contents Welcome .....................................................................................................................................................................4 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................5 Induction .....................................................................................................................................................................6 For International Students......................................................................................................................................6 Department Details ....................................................................................................................................................6 Departmental Communications .............................................................................................................................7 Staff List and Key Contacts .....................................................................................................................................8 Student Communications and Personal Details .....................................................................................................9 Department Facilities .............................................................................................................................................9 Learn at Leicester ...................................................................................................................................................9 University Library....................................................................................................................................................9 IT Services .............................................................................................................................................................10 Student Learning Development............................................................................................................................10 Students’ Union Education Unit (ED)....................................................................................................................10 Learn a Language with Languages at Leicester ....................................................................................................11 University Regulations ..............................................................................................................................................11 Student Responsibilities .......................................................................................................................................12 Attendance and Engagement Requirements .......................................................................................................12 Neglect of Academic Obligations..........................................................................................................................12 Examination Regulations ......................................................................................................................................12 Course details ...........................................................................................................................................................14 Programme and Module Specifications ...............................................................................................................14 Course Overview...................................................................................................................................................15 Change of a Module .............................................................................................................................................17 Teaching Timetable ..............................................................................................................................................18 Coursework Submission .......................................................................................................................................19 Course Changes ....................................................................................................................................................20 Marking and Assessment Practices ..........................................................................................................................20 Exam Marking and Grading Process .....................................................................................................................20 Feedback and the Return of Work from Staff ......................................................................................................22 Progression and Classification of Awards .............................................................................................................22 Referencing and Academic Integrity ........................................................................................................................26 What we mean by ‘plagiarism’, ‘self-plagiarism’ and ‘collusion’ .........................................................................26 Resources and advice to help you study with integrity and avoid committing plagiarism ..................................26 Referencing style ..................................................................................................................................................27 Mitigating Circumstances .........................................................................................................................................27 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
MSC DATA ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 3 HANDBOOK 2017-18 Deadlines for submission of mitigating circumstances ........................................................................................28 Personal Support for Students .................................................................................................................................28 Departmental Student Support Arrangements ....................................................................................................28 Equal Opportunities ..............................................................................................................................................30 University Student Support Arrangements ..........................................................................................................30 Health Care and Registering with a Doctor ..........................................................................................................31 Careers and Skills Development ...............................................................................................................................32 Feedback from Students ...........................................................................................................................................33 Student Feedback Questionnaires .......................................................................................................................33 Student Staff Committees ....................................................................................................................................35 Departmental Prizes .................................................................................................................................................35 Societies ....................................................................................................................................................................36 SUMS ....................................................................................................................................................................36 Personal Belongings..................................................................................................................................................36 Complaints and Academic Appeals Procedures .......................................................................................................36 Department of Mathematics Staff List .....................................................................................................................37 Important Dates 2017-18 .........................................................................................................................................39 Reading Weeks .........................................................................................................................................................41 Panel and Board of Examiners’ meeting dates.........................................................................................................41 DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
MSC DATA ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 4 HANDBOOK 2017-18 Welcome Welcome to the Department of Mathematics at the University of Leicester. All our staff members hope that you will enjoy an interesting and worthwhile time at the university and we look forward to working with you over the next few years. We are a department of enthusiastic mathematicians and our research and teaching align closely to give you the best learning experience. This booklet provides background information about the Department’s organisation and should help explain the most basic things you will need to know throughout the course. It cannot be exhaustive however and so one of its roles is to explain how to obtain more information on any given topic when you need it. Many of the topics covered will be greatly amplified during the Mathematics Induction Week (the first week of the first Semester), details of which you have been given separately. Some things however will only become relevant as your course goes on, so it is a good idea to keep the booklet handy for looking at later. Best of luck with your studies, Professor Alex Clark Head of Department College House room 002 Tel: 0116 252 5670 Email: hodmaths@le.ac.uk All information in this brochure was correct at the time of issue. However, changes and developments are part of the life of the University, and alterations may occur to the programme, its regulations and services described. DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
MSC DATA ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 5 HANDBOOK 2017-18 Introduction Every endeavour will be made to update students of any changes, but we also ask that you check the Mathematics Blackboard site for up to date information. This handbook has been written to provide information to all our students. It is intended to give you the essential information required throughout your course of study, including an explanation on the workings of the department. Specifically, it aims to: • Introduce the University, the Department and its staff; • Outline our programme structures and course content; • Confirm our teaching and assessment procedures; • Advise on student expectations and regulations; • Advise on study skills and other information important to being a student. We strongly encourage you to read this handbook before you begin studying and to keep it to hand as you progress through the programme. Further information will be provided to you as you progress with your studies. The University, College and Department are constantly evolving and changing so there may be elements of this handbook which are updated and changed during the duration of your studies. We therefore encourage you to check the website and Blackboard regularly for updates to the handbook. This handbook should be read in conjunction with the University’s Senate Regulations for Taught Programmes www.le.ac.uk/sas/regulations and the Programme Specifications www.le.ac.uk/sas/courses/documentation We welcome any comments or suggestions you may have to improve the handbook or Blackboard with relevant information for students, please write to us at mathspg@le.ac.uk if you have any suggestions. We strongly welcome your feedback. DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
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Induction
In the first week of term (25-29 September 2017) the Department runs an induction programme for students
who are just starting at Leicester.
It is important to attend all relevant events scheduled during induction week as they are designed to help you
prepare for teaching as well as a good way to find your way about campus and meet your peers.
If you are new, and for any reason, have missed part of the induction programme, you should meet with your
Personal Tutor. The Student Administration Centre, College House will be able to advise you.
For International Students
All new and returning international (non-EU) students must complete the Visa Checkpoint at the start of each
academic year.
If you are attending the International Students Welcome Programme (ISWP) you will be given an appointment
time when you register. If you are not attending the ISWP, the University will send you an email telling you when
and where to attend a Visa Checkpoint.
We will check your visa and passport to ensure that you have a valid visa to study at the University of Leicester.
If you do not have a valid visa you will not be able to register and we will refer you to the Student Welfare
Service. They will assist you wherever possible to apply for a visa before the latest registration date.
Once you complete the Visa Checkpoint you will receive your University ID Card and a letter confirming that you
are registered with us.
What to bring with you:
• Your current passport and visa (original documents only - copies will not be accepted)
• Your offer letter or other correspondence you have received from us with your nine digit student
number on it
You must complete the Visa Checkpoint by the deadline notified to you in your registration emails. If you do not
complete the Visa Checkpoint by this deadline you will not be able to start or continue your studies. If this
happens, please contact admissions@le.ac.uk or come to the Student Administration Centre in College House.
Department Details
The Department is part of the College of Science and Engineering, which is made up of seven departments:
Chemistry, Engineering, Geography, Geology, Informatics, Mathematics, and Physics. The Department has about
40 full time members of staff, comprising of an administrative team, and about 30 academic members of staff.
At any one time there may also be a small number of academic visitors pursuing their own mathematical
research in collaboration with the permanent staff here.
The Department takes in about 150 undergraduates each year. In addition, it is currently teaching many
postgraduate students who are working towards doctoral degrees (PhD's) or masters degrees (MSc's) and there
are several postdoctoral research associates working on more advanced projects.
The Department is housed both in College House and the Michael Atiyah Building. College House contains the
Student Administration Centre and some academic staff offices, whilst other academic offices are in the Michael
Atiyah Building, down the path behind the Engineering Department. Some small group tutorials may take place
in staff offices but your lectures will be in other buildings on the campus. A campus map can be found
at http://www2.le.ac.uk/maps
You will find computer laboratories in various buildings on the campus (such as the library). There are computing
facilities available in the Computing and Design Lab on the first floor of the Engineering Design Lab Building. The
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTERMSC DATA ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 7 HANDBOOK 2017-18 location of the building is at the rear of the Engineering Building, walking towards the Sport Centre car park, on the left after the scaffolding, opposite the side of the Library coffee shop. There is also a room available for project work, and student related meetings on the fourth floor of the Engineering Building called the MacLellan Room. There is a computer, projector and large meeting table. This can be booked by emailing meiroombookings@le.ac.uk and is available on a first come first served basis. This is a study room so please ensure that when using this room that you are respectful of others and leave the room as you found it. In addition to the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, an equally important activity of the Department is its programme of mathematical research. Most of our academic members of staff are actively engaged in research and are frequently guests of universities in this and other countries to lecture on their work. Most will be happy to describe their research to you if you are interested. Further details about the Department can be found at http://www.le.ac.uk/departments/mathematics Departmental Communications The first point of reference when looking for information should be the Mathematics Postgraduate site within Blackboard at blackboard.le.ac.uk for which all students will be granted access to from the first week of term. If you have any problems accessing the site please contact the Student Administration Centre. This site provides access to all the important administrative arrangements for working towards your degree including timetables, exams and module information, important contact details, careers information, module registration guidance and much more. It will also include the most up to date version of the student handbook. Students are expected to check their university email accounts regularly and to also access relevant Blackboard course sites regularly as well. DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
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More general information about the University can be found on links from the main University page
www.le.ac.uk. In particular, this page includes a link to email addresses of all staff and students of the
University.
Staff List and Key Contacts
Your first point of contact for any general query should be to the Student Administration Centre in College
House. Here members of the administration team will be able to help and give advice and where necessary
provide you with the appropriate support to solve any issues you have or point you to the correct person.
Student Administration Centre
Office Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30am-5pm
College House
Telephone: 0116 229 7407
Email: mathspg@le.ac.uk
Contacting the Head of Department
Should you need to speak with the Head of Department about any matter please make an appointment in
advance as he is not often available with any prior appointment. You can make an appointment with Ushma
Chauhan in College House. Email: hodmaths@le.ac.uk
Contacting Academic Staff
All of the Department academic staff members make available term-time office hours which you can make use
of to speak with staff. Each member of staff will either display their office hours on their door or on Blackboard;
if you require any support or advice you are more than welcome to contact them at these times. If you need to
see a member of staff outside these times we would strongly recommend you contact them via email to make
an appointment.
Other staff members you may need to contact include:
Title Member of Staff Tel Email Location
Head of Dept Prof Alex Clark Hodmaths@le.ac.uk College House 002
Programme Prof Jeremy Levesley 0116 252 3897 Jl1@le.ac.uk College House 101
Director/Head of
Student Support
Head of Sem 1: Prof Nikolai 0116 252 2521 nb144@le.ac.uk Michael Atiyah
Postgraduate Brilliantov 218
0116 252 3889 ac433@le.ac.uk
Taught/Senior Tutor
Sem 2: Dr Andrea Michael Atiyah
Cangiani 123
Woman’s Tutor Dr Katrin Leschke 0116 252 5237 Kl96@le.ac.uk College House 203
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Equal Opportunities Dr Ivan Tyukin 0116 252 5106 It37@le.ac.uk Michael Atiyah
Tutor 128
Careers Tutor Dr Ivan Tyukin 0116 252 5106 It37@le.ac.uk Michael Atiyah
128
Gauss House Tutor Dr Andrey Mudrov 0116 252 3606 am405@le.ac.uk CH102b
A full staff list can be found at the end of this handbook.
Student Communications and Personal Details
The University keeps a record of your personal details such as your full name, addresses i.e. home address and
term-time address, telephone numbers, personal email address and your emergency contact details. It is
important to keep your details up to date as this will help you to receive information about your studies and
exams and also ensure that official documents are provided to you with the correct name details.
You can check and update your details by logging-in to MyStudentRecord http://mystudentrecord.le.ac.uk using
your University username and password. Click on the My Details tab and you will then be able to review and
change your personal details.
It is important that you check your University email account frequently to ensure that you do not miss any
important communication from the University.
Department Facilities
There are computing facilities available in the Computing and Design Lab on the first floor of the Engineering
Design Lab Building. The location of the building is at the rear of the Engineering Building, walking towards the
Sport Centre car park, on the left after the scaffolding, opposite the side of the Library coffee shop.
There is also a room available for project work, and student related meetings on the fourth floor of the
Engineering Building called the MacLellan Room. There is a computer, projector and large meeting table. This
can be booked by emailing meiroombookings@le.ac.uk and is available on a first come first served basis.
This is a study room so please ensure that when using this room that you are respectful of others and leave the
room as you found it.
Learn at Leicester
Whatever your subject or level of study, there are many, many different ways in which you can access academic
advice and support. The Learn at Leicester webpage provides you with further details of this support, together
with direct links to a wide range of resources and services to help you:
• Make the most of the Library
• Develop your IT skills
• Manage your own learning
• Improve your English language
• Get independent advice about your course
• Manage your student information
• Sharpen your mathematics and statistics skills
You can access all of this by visiting: www.le.ac.uk/learnatleicester
University Library
The Library is your gateway to high quality information relevant to your studies. Using it effectively contributes
directly to your success.
The Library provides you with:
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• access to a huge range of specialist digital and print information resources for your subject;
• help in finding and using information - online, face to face and by telephone;
• individual and group study space;
• PCs and wireless networking for your own device throughout the David Wilson Library;
• Services for distance learners and researchers.
The Library is a shared resource for all members of the University. Please respect it and observe the Library
regulations available at www.le.ac.uk/library/about.
To get started, visit www.le.ac.uk/library.
Follow us on Twitter @UoLDWL and Facebook www.facebook.com/davidwilsonlibrary
For information about your subject, please visit http://www2.le.ac.uk/library/find/subjects/mathematics
IT Services
Whilst studying at the University you will have a University IT account and email address. There are hundreds of
University PCs available with Office 2013 and many specialist programs to help you with your studies.
Visit www.le.ac.uk/it4students for more information about:
• Student email: access your email and calendar anywhere; on your laptop or mobile device
• Printing: print from any device to a University printer
• Microsoft Office: available at no cost whilst you study at the University
• IT Help: visit the Help Zone in the Library, phone 0116 252 2253, ithelp.le.ac.uk for IT Self Service, web
chat or email ithelp@le.ac.uk
• IT Training: You can use Microsoft Imagine Academy (log in required) on the IT Services website for
online training in Office
• Wifi: free access to eduroam wifi on campus, in student accommodation or at other universities
• PCs on campus: there are over 900 PCs available, with 350 located in the David Wilson Library (including
24/7 access during exam periods)
• OneDrive: the online storage location for all your files
• Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment: support and information for all your courses
• Leicester Digital Library: access to journals, databases and electronic books online
Student Learning Development
Studying for a degree is a stimulating, challenging and rewarding experience. In order to make the most of this
experience, the University of Leicester provides a wide range of resources and services to support and enhance
your academic development in areas such as essay-writing, critical thinking, independent learning and time-
management. The Student Learning Development Team is here to help you develop the skills and abilities you
need in order to succeed in your studies. To find out more about how we can help you develop your academic
skills and abilities, visit our website: www.le.ac.uk/succeedinyourstudies.
Students’ Union Education Unit (ED)
Education help and advice is provided by the Students’ Union (SU) for all students.
We offer a free, confidential and friendly service to provide support and guidance to you about your
circumstances. For example, you may need help putting together an appeal or complaint (academic and non-
academic), mitigating circumstances form, or have other course/exam queries. Visit our
website www.leicesterunion.com/support/education for more information on the service, including useful
resources such as step-by-step guides to processes you may need to follow.
There are many other support services available, and we also provide guidance on who you can speak to from
other Students’ Union, University, Student-Led and Community services that may be able to help you. These
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come together under the LeicsTalk service, visit www.leicesterunion.com/support/leicstalk for more information
and a list of these services.
Contacting ED:
There are many ways to get support from the ED unit, and you can choose whichever suits your needs most:
• Drop-in or book an appointment: ED is based in the Students’ Union Percy Gee building, see the
building map here. Opening hours are 10.00am to 4.00pm, Mon – Fri.
• Email: educationunit@le.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)116 223 1132
• Online chat facilities are also available for appointments and drop-in sessions:
o Facebook – www.facebook.com/talktoED (Drop in on Wednesdays, 3:30pm-4:30pm)
o Skype - @ed_ucation1 (Drop in on Tuesdays, 9am-10am)
Learn a Language with Languages at Leicester
There are many benefits to learning a new language. Not only could you enhance your career prospects and
broaden your cultural horizons, but studies show that you could also improve your literacy skills, boost your
memory, increase your attention span and even help to grow your brain!
Study with the Languages at Leicester Team on campus, and you will be taught by expert native tutors who are
based within our School of Modern Languages, which has been ranked 3rd in the country in the University
League Tables, The Guardian University Guide 2016.
We offer 16 different languages including Arabic, British Sign Language, Chinese, German, Korean and Spanish
to name just a few, six levels of learning and two course lengths, so you can study in a way that suits you. Classes
take place during evenings and Wednesday afternoons, as well as intensive ‘fast track’ courses on Saturday
mornings.
Find out more about Languages at Leicester, including fees and term dates at: www.le.ac.uk/ml/lal.
The successful completion of a Languages at Leicester course will appear on your Higher Education
Achievement Report (HEAR) when you graduate. For further details about the HEAR, please
visit: www.le.ac.uk/hear.
Contact: Languages at Leicester +44(0)116 252 2662 | lalenquiries@le.ac.uk | www.le.ac.uk/ml/lal
University Regulations
Senate Regulations (www.le.ac.uk/sas/regulations) contain rules and other important information about being
an undergraduate or taught postgraduate student at the University of Leicester. The Regulations are part of the
formal contract between you and the University; you will have confirmed when completing registration that you
will comply with procedures defined in the University’s Regulations.
The Quick Guide to Student Responsibilities (www.le.ac.uk/sas/regulations/responsibilities) summarises some
of your most important responsibilities as a student at Leicester, as defined in detail in the Regulations. These
responsibilities relate to:
• attendance
• submission of work by set deadlines
• term time employment (full-time students – Home/EU and International)
• illness or other circumstances impacting upon studies
• maintaining your personal details
• the additional responsibilities of international students
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Failure to adhere to student responsibilities can have serious consequences and may lead to the termination of
your studies.
Student Responsibilities
The University expects its students to behave responsibly and with consideration to others at all times. The
University’s expectations about student behaviour are described in:
• the Student Charter
• the Regulations governing Student Discipline
• the Student Code of Social Responsibility
• the Code of Practice governing Freedom of Speech
• the University’s regulatory statement concerning Harassment and Discrimination
These can be found at www.le.ac.uk/senate-regulations
Attendance and Engagement Requirements
Attendance and engagement with your course is an essential requirement for success in your studies. The
University’s expectations about attendance are defined in Senate Regulation 4: governing student obligations
(see www.le.ac.uk/senate-regulation4). Full-time students must reside in Leicester, or within easy commuting
distance of the city, for the duration of each semester. You should attend all lectures, seminars, practical
sessions and other formal classes specified in your course timetable, unless you have been officially advised that
attendance at a particular session is not compulsory or you have received formal approval for absence. You are
also expected to undertake all assessments set for you.
The University operates a Student Attendance Monitoring procedure. Your attendance will be monitored
throughout the academic year and if sessions are missed without an acceptable explanation being provided to
your department then neglect of academic obligations procedures will be initiated. This may result in your
course of study being terminated.
If you are an international student and your course is terminated this will be reported to UK Visas and
Immigration (UKVI), in line with University sponsor obligations.
Neglect of Academic Obligations
You are expected to attend all learning and teaching events which are timetabled for you. These include
lectures, tutorials or practical classes. You are also expected to submit work within the deadlines notified to
you. Persistent failure to attend taught sessions and/or to submit work, without good cause, will be considered
to be a neglect of academic obligations. Departmental procedures for dealing with neglect are set out within
the University’s regulations (see http://www.le.ac.uk/senate-regulation4 ‘Neglect of academic obligations’). In
the most serious of cases of neglect the University has the right to terminate a student’s course.
Examination Regulations
If your course involves any exams you must ensure that you are familiar with the University's Examination
Regulations (www.le.ac.uk/sas/assessments/examregs). These contain a variety of regulatory information and
instructions relating to exams, including the rules governing:
• scheduling
• admittance
• student conduct
• permitted and prohibited items and clothing
• use of calculators and dictionaries
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• absence due to illness
• cheating
You can also find information about exams in the Students’ Guide to Exams
(www.le.ac.uk/sas/assessments/examsguide)
Scheduling of Examinations
Examinations are normally scheduled utilising two periods a day (9.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.). Examinations are
held on six days a week, Monday to Saturday, and special arrangements cannot be made to accommodate
students’ personal preferences, unless these arise from specific religious requirements identified by the student
at the commencement of the academic year, or are associated with approved measures to support students
with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require special examination arrangements should contact the
AccessAbility Centre.
The extent to which the timetabling of examinations can be adapted to meet the specific religious requirements
of individual students will vary from case to case, but the University will make such alternative arrangements as
are in its power, subject to the overriding requirements that the examinations must be scheduled within the
published examination periods, and that alternative arrangements introduced for individual students must not
disadvantage the majority. Students making requests for special treatment on religious grounds should
recognise that measures designed to meet their needs might therefore involve an unavoidable element of
inconvenience (for example, the requirement to remain incommunicado for a period of time).
Examination Anonymity
You will use your student number as candidate number for all examinations during your degree. Use of this
number ensures that written examinations are marked without reference to your name, giving you as much
anonymity as possible. This number remains the same throughout your course.
Calculators
Except where special arrangements apply, the use of programmable calculators is forbidden. Where the use of
such calculators is permitted only specified models may be used and any unauthorised calculators will be
confiscated. Any suspected misuse of calculators will be considered as a possible disciplinary offence.
You will be informed in each examined module as to whether you can use a calculator in the examination, and if
so, what sort of calculator. For 2017-18 these will be the Casio FX-82GTPLUS, FX-83GTPLUS and FX-85GTPLUS.
Examination Timetable
A timetable of examinations will be emailed to you. This is shortly before the end of the first term for the
January examinations and early in the third term for the May exams. Students required to attend the resit
examinations in July will be sent details of the July exam timetable over the summer. Students are responsible
for ensuring that they arrive at the appropriate place at the appropriate time.
Resit/July exam period
Any necessary re-sit exams will take place in the July exam period. It is a student’s responsibility to ensure you
are available for these exams; therefore do not make plans to travel or be away from Leicester until it is
confirmed you will not have any exams to take.
Module Failure
Once all of your assessment marks are known, if you have failed a module (with an overall mark below 50%), you
may be permitted to re-sit the assessment for the module. The decision as to whether you need to re-sit will not
be taken until you have attempted all first and second semester modules at least once and all your module
marks are known. This decision is taken by the Board of Examiners which meets prior to being able to progress
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to summer module(s). You will be notified by email if you are expected to re-sit any modules and whether you
can proceed to project.
For most modules the re-assessment will be both the examination and mini-project. If you failed both you will
need to attempt both again, however you will not re-attempt any element which was passed with a mark of 50
or more.
Course details
The modules given by the Mathematics Department are taught in a variety of interrelated ways. The formal
teaching is principally divided into:
• Lectures
• Supervisions, tutorials, problem classes and surgeries
• Computer practicals
• Workshops, seminars
Attendance at these activities only provides a part of the learning process. To make proper progress with your
studies you have to work through the material covered in these sessions on your own and seek help if you
require it. In fact, this is the main difference between studies at school and university and is the point where
many students find the greatest difficulties in making the transition from one system to the other. This other
side to university studies, the activities that require you to make the first initiative, can be divided as follows:
• Example sheets, computer laboratories and other assignments
• Use of textbooks and library facilities
• Surgeries
• Informal questioning of members of staff
Of course being at university, perhaps being away from home for the first time, can provide many interesting
distractions for you. However, the degree to which you can organise yourself to do assigned work and seek help
if you require it will largely determine your degree of success or failure in your studies here. To follow are notes
on each of the teaching and learning activities listed above.
Programme and Module Specifications
View the programme and module specifications for your course via www.le.ac.uk/sas/courses
In the programme specification you will find a summary of the aims of your course of study and its learning
outcomes, alongside details of its teaching and learning methods and means of assessment. The programme
specification also identifies the core modules that make up the course and any choice of optional modules. Each
module has its own specification that formally records that module’s aims, teaching and learning methods,
assessment components and their percentage weighting.
Degree Programme Structure
The academic year is divided into two semesters, each semester consisting of 11 teaching weeks followed by
two weeks set aside for assessment in January and three weeks in May/June. Dates of semesters and terms are
included at the back of this handbook and can be found on Blackboard.
The degree programme is made up of three compulsory (core) modules each semester and a choice of one
optional module each semester. Students are examined at the end of each semester in which the module runs.
Each module has a credit value of 15 credits, and the project module is worth 60 credits. Students need to
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accumulate exactly 120 credits of taught modules before proceeding to project in the summer term. Please note
there are very clearly defined progression rules about when you can be permitted to proceed to project.
Course Overview
Focus and Aims of the Course
The programme aims to provide a route for students in their transition from undergraduate study to
employment in data-led sectors. It provides the opportunity to gain practical experience in databases (and
achieve two professionally accredited certificates) and a rigorous understanding of applied statistics, data
mining, operational research and related areas.
In particular it aims to
• foster confidence, convey knowledge and develop expertise in data analysis and handling;
• provide an advanced education in the fundamental mathematical concepts and techniques relevant to
data analysis;
• develop the ability to produce rigorous justifications of assertions by logical arguments;
• enhance the ability to model the world using mathematical models, and to be able to produce
innovative, cost-effective, and robust solutions to real-world problems;
• enhance the ability to infer valid conclusions from raw data;
• stimulate intellectual development and hone powers of critical analysis, problem solving, written
communication skills and improve presentational skills;
• develop the ability to communicate solutions to problems using language appropriate to any target
audience;
• develop project-management skills (MSc only);
• enhance practical computing skills in software relevant to industry;
• raise students’ expertise and understanding to a point where they could embark upon doctoral
interdisciplinary study or enter data-led industrial sectors;
• raise students’ ability to complete independent project work and foster the skill of developing innovative
tools (MSc only).
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTERMSC DATA ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 16
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Structure of the Course
Below details the structure of the course and lists the modules available for selection.
Code Title Credits
Semester 1
Core modules
MA7080 Mathematical Modelling 15
CO7219 Internet and Cloud Computing 15
MA7403 Statistics 15
Options
15credits selected from:
CO7105 C++ Programming and Advanced Algorithms 15
PA7081 Practical Programming 15
Semester 2
Core modules:
MA7022 Data Mining and Neural Networks 15
CO7218 Financial Services Information Systems 15
CO7002 Analysis and Design of Algorithms 15
Options
15 credits selected from:
MA7011 Computational Methods for Partial Differential 15
Equations
MA7406 Further Statistics 15
MA7416 Advanced Statistics 15
C07212 Game Theory 15
MA7092 Data Analytics for E-Gaming 15
Summer
Core modules
MA7098 MSc DABI Project 60
Total 180
MA7002 Individual Project (60 Credits)
After May examinations, a project is undertaken full-time, leading to an oral presentation and the submission of
a dissertation by the middle of September. Typical length of the dissertation is about 15,000 words, but no
precise minimum length is prescribed, as this will depend on the particular topic chosen, the amount of software
development involved, and the applications component. The project is expected to contain some element of
original work. Students will typically complement the foundation material of the first two terms with practical,
applied work during the project. Upon commencing the project you will be given a project guide which will
explain how to undertake and present your project.
Choosing Your Project Topic
Students will be required to select from a range of projects during semester two. This will be a provisional
selection conditional upon the final choice made by the programme director and prior to the outcome of your
semester two results. Progression to project is only permitted in line with the University rules on progression.
Project Selection process:
February /March: during these months there may be scheduled talks given by industrial partners regarding
industry based projects. You will be sent details of when these will take place.
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTERMSC DATA ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 17
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April: List of project topics will be made available and students will be expected to select their top three projects
and rank them in order of preference.
Project allocation will be on the following basis:
• First choice allocated where possible
• For a project being selected as first choice by more than one student it will be given to the student with
the highest semester one in the module for which the material is most relevant to the project
concerned.
May: Provisional project allocation will be announced at the start of exam period. Students who fail four or more
modules after the semester two results are known will not be permitted to start the project at the end of June
and will need to complete re-sits in July first.
Industry projects will only be open to students who have a semester one average of 65% or more.
Choosing Your Modules
When and How: You will have received an invitation to choose your modules before arriving at the university. If
you missed this opportunity and did not choose modules, please visit the Departmental Office in College House
for advice.
Change of a Module
Discuss your options with your personal tutor, or another appropriate member of staff in your department, if
you are considering a change of course or module. Changes of course or module require approval by your
department and will only be allowed in certain circumstances.
See www.le.ac.uk/sas/courses/transfercourse or www.le.ac.uk/sas/courses/transfermodule for details of the
procedures involved and deadlines that apply.
Students who are unsure which modules to continue can attend lectures for all of them in weeks one and two.
You have the right to change your mind on your second semester optional module up until the second week of
semester two. If you wish to change your module follow the instructions below.
How to change: Students wishing to change a module for semester two must inform the department by Friday
3rd February at the very latest. To do so you should email the Student Administration Centre
(mathspg@le.ac.uk) with the following information:
• Name
• Student number
• Course of study
• Module you are dropping and the new module you are replacing it with.
This change of module must be completed within the first two weeks of the semester in which the module is
taught; module change requests submitted after this time will not be accepted. Details of the full process can be
found: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/sas2/courses/transfermodule
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTERMSC DATA ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 18
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Teaching Timetable
Timetables will be available from the start of term via mystudentrecord. Timetabling commences many months
in advance of the start of a semester to take into account room and staff availability. The timetabling officer
does everything possible to ensure the best possible timetable is produced to meet the needs of all
undergraduate students in the department but clashes of optional modules are sometimes unavoidable. If you
do have a clash of core modules you should inform the Department, although this is a rarity. For certain joint
degree programmes it may not always be possible to provide a timetable that is clash free and students may be
encouraged to take alternative options to avoid such a clash. The Department tries to provide as many options
as possible but these are subject in all instances to timetabling.
The teaching timetable makes full use of the range of teaching times so you can be expected to attend classes
between 09:00 and 18:00. All classes start on the hour and finish ten to the hour to allow for transfer between
classes.
Amendments and Alterations
Amendments and alterations may be made to the timetable during the course of term. You are strongly advised
to check your personal timetable regularly to keep on top of any changes. If you have any questions about the
timetable, please consult the Student Administration Centre in College House in the first instance.
Lectures
All lectures are scheduled to start on the hour between 9am and 5pm. In practice, they are of 50 minutes
duration, from hh:00 to hh:50; this is to allow you time to move between classes as consecutive lectures may be
in different parts of the campus (the same applies to other classes, laboratories, etc. mentioned below).
Attendance at lectures will be important for you. While each module has a formal syllabus, which you will be
given and is obtainable on the web, in most modules what is taught in the lectures (and amplified in tutorials
etc.) in practice defines the examinable syllabus in detail. To put that another way, the exams at the end of each
semester will be on the material covered during the lectures. Generally speaking, it is the lecturer on each
module who sets and marks the exam for that module. In most modules it is during the lectures that coursework
assignments and explanatory hand-outs are distributed.
For most students lectures are an unfamiliar form of teaching. You are encouraged to participate actively in
them but because of the often large audience there is not always much time for questions and discussion.
However, they provide only the first stage in the learning process. The rest of the teaching the Department
provides serves to allow you to carefully work through, discuss and apply the ideas first presented in the
lectures.
Departmental Policy on Disturbances in Lectures
High noise levels (e.g. people talking, mobile phones, etc.) present a great disturbance in lectures, especially in
big lecture theatres. Not only is it disrespectful towards the lecturer, but it also impedes the ability of students
to understand and adequately follow the lecture.
It is Departmental policy to no longer accept any disturbances in the lectures, supervisions or surgeries. We
encourage fellow students to identify the culprits. If the origin of the disturbance, i.e. the person or persons
causing it, is confirmed or identified by the lecturer, a Departmental warning will be issued. A subsequent
misdemeanour will result in an interview with the Head of Department. The following list outlines the
disciplinary process.
• First Offence: Warning from Module Convenor
• Second Offence: Department Warning Letter
• Third Offence: Deduction of 10% from module mark (with further warning letter and appointment with
HoD)
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTERMSC DATA ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 19 HANDBOOK 2017-18 Problem Classes and Surgeries For each module in the Department of Mathematics there are associated problem classes and surgeries. The idea is to provide you with a regular occasion where you can discuss the work recently covered in lectures and in the associated coursework with a member of staff or a postgraduate student in the Department. For some modules you will be assigned to a small group, with an appropriate time and tutor. If you have a difficulty concerning the arrangements you should go and see the supervision organiser, module convenor or lecturer as soon as possible. Attendance at supervisions, tutorials and problem classes is compulsory and a register of attendance will be kept. You will usually have been given some homework to complete before each of these classes and you will gain far more from them if you have attempted the assignments first. In fact, these assignments will generally carry credit towards the final mark on the module and you will be given a deadline before the tutorial for handing in your work; late work will receive no credit. Surgeries for Mathematics modules are optional and operate on a `drop-in' basis: you may use them as much or as little as you wish. Computer Practicals Practical computer classes, or laboratories, form a significant part of the teaching in some of the Department's modules. Your completed assignments of practical work will have to be handed in by specified dates, which must be adhered to; late work will usually receive no marks. It may be necessary to split some module classes into different laboratory groups and the allocation arrangements, which are made at the start of each semester, will be advertised. You need only attend one laboratory group per module. Classes are usually arranged so that there are no clashes between them and your other work, but if a problem arises you should inform the module convenor as soon as possible. Workshops and Seminars Where appropriate, some modules run workshops or seminars. These provide an additional or alternative opportunity to study and discuss the material in the module. Details will be given in each of the relevant modules. Coursework Submission You should make sure that you submit your assignments by their due date to avoid any marks being deducted for lateness. Penalties for late submission of coursework follow the University scheme defined in Regulations governing the assessment of taught programmes (see www.le.ac.uk/senate-regulation7 or www.le.ac.uk/sas/assessments/late-submission). The Regulations do not allow departments to grant extensions to a deadline for coursework or other assessed work. In cases where there are no accepted mitigating circumstances, late submission shall lead automatically to a penalty being applied from the University's late submission penalty scheme The assessment arrangements will be described at the beginning of each module and should be available on the module Blackboard page. With the exception of the individual project module, most are assessed partly by an end of semester exam and a mini-project. The proportioning of the overall marks to give a final module mark between the examination and the mini-project is usually set at 30% coursework and 70% exam. The two 30 credit modules offered in the summer term vary slightly in that one is assessed 100% by exam and the other is assessed by an oral presentation and project. The 60 credit project module is assessed purely on the completed project, but will also take into account other aspects such as the presentation. To pass an individual module requires a final module mark of at least 50%. It is important that you ascertain the arrangements for handing in coursework for each of your modules; if you do not submit it in its required form then it may not be marked. DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
MSC DATA ANALYSIS FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE 20 HANDBOOK 2017-18 As a student at the University of Leicester, you are required before completing any examination or assessment to make yourself familiar with relevant requirements and policies. These can be found at http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/sas2/assessments and you should refer back to these throughout your course. Course Changes At the University of Leicester we are always trying to improve our teaching in response to the demands of employers, advances in subject knowledge and the responses of our students. As a result, it may be necessary on occasion to make some alterations to particular aspects of a course or module. Further information on the types of changes we might make can be found in our terms and conditions under item 6. Variation here: http://www2.le.ac.uk/legal/terms-and-conditions-of-your-offer When changes occur, the university will ensure that where necessary you are consulted with and have as much notice as possible. You will be contacted no later than 25 days before the relevant change is due to take place. Should you have any questions about changes to your course or modules, please speak with your personal tutor or course director in the first instance. Marking and Assessment Practices Student anonymity will be preserved during the marking of all formal examinations. Summative coursework (i.e. coursework that contributes to your module mark or grade) will be marked anonymously unless there are sound educational reasons for not doing so, or the type of assessment makes marking impractical. Each programme at the University has one or more External Examiners, who are members of staff of other institutions that review the academic standards at the University and confirm that these are appropriate and comparable with other Universities. The External Examiners for your courses are listed at: www.le.ac.uk/sas/assessments/external/current-postgraduate-external-examiners Exam Marking and Grading Process The Department process for setting, marking and reviewing exam papers is rigorous to ensure consistent high standards. Exam papers are usually set by the module convenor (who is usually the lecturer too). These papers are then checked to be correct and appropriate by an internal review panel. In the case of an exam which counts towards a student's final degree classification, the paper is sent for further checking by an external examiner, who is an academic at another university in the UK and who also checks that the module is comparable in difficulty with similar subjects taught at comparable universities. Student anonymity will be preserved during the marking of all formal examinations. Summative coursework (i.e. coursework that contributes to your module mark or grade) will be marked anonymously unless there are sound educational reasons for not doing so, or the type of assessment makes marking impractical. After the examinations have taken place and the papers marked, the marking is further checked by another member of staff. The scripts are then identified and matched to the relevant coursework (if applicable). A series of examiners' meetings are held in late June at which each student's performance is discussed and a decision is reached as to whether they have passed the year, and, in the case of final year students, what their class of degree is. It is here that any mitigating circumstances, if not already taken into account at individual DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
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