Data Science with Foundation Year

This is a 4 year undergraduate degree programme with a fully embedded Foundation year. During the Foundation year, students will develop their academic skills and subject knowledge at Exeter. In the following year, students will continue to stage 1 of a BSc in Data Science degree programme, subject to successful completion of the Foundation year.

The BSc Data Science is an innovative inter-disciplinary taught course designed with industry and aimed at students wishing to work or research in data science. The course will cover the core areas of mathematics (mathematical methods; probability, statistics and data; statistical modelling and inference) and computer science (programming; object oriented programming; software development; database theory and design). It will also include new modules which will introduce students to applied data science (e.g. machine learning, data structure & algorithm, AI & applications, computational intelligence, HPC, Big Data, Cloud) as well as social context (e.g. governance, ethics, business applications).   Research projects in each academic year will allow students to develop research and project management skills in an area of interest, using real world datasets, guided by a leading academic supervisor.
 

The programme aims to:

(a) Lay the foundation of mathematical skills for more advanced studies by bringing students to a level of knowledge and competence equivalent to the pre-requisite for a first year degree in Data Science. 

(b) provide a high-quality general education in data science comprising a balanced core of key knowledge together with the opportunity to study a range of selected topics in more depth;

(c) develop the analytical abilities of students so that they can identify and apply appropriate data science techniques and methods to solve problems in a range of application areas;

(d) equip students with knowledge and experience of theoretical and practical data science techniques and practices;

(e) develop in students appropriate subject-specific, core academic and personal and key skills in order to prepare them for a wide range of employment opportunities;

(f) generate in students an enthusiasm for the subject of data science and involve them in a demanding, interesting and intellectually stimulating learning experience reinforced by appropriate academic and pastoral tutorial support.

Your BSc Data Science with Foundation Year programme is a 4 year programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 6 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into 4 ‘Stages’. Each Stage is normally equivalent to an academic year (Stage 0 is the Foundation Year, Stages 1-3 is Data Science). The programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.

Interim Awards

At stage zero of the programme, If you have achieved 120 credits with an overall of at least 40% and less than 55% at Level 3, you may be awarded a Foundation year Certificate as an exit award, and if you achieve 120 credits with an overall of 55% or above, you will progress to stage 1 of the BSc in Data Science programme.

For the subsequent stages 1-3. If you do not complete the programme you may be able to exit with a lower qualification.  If you have achieved over 120 credits, you may be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Data Science, and if you achieve 240 credits, where at least 90 credits are at NQF Level 5 or above, you may be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Data Science.

Credit

The programme consists of 480 credits with 120 credits taken at each stage. Normally not more than 75 credits would be allowed in any one term. In total, participants normally take no more than 150 credits at Stage 1, and must take at least 90 credits at Stage 3.

The pass mark for award of credit in an individual module is 40%.

Progression
At stage zero of the programme, you can progress to stage 1 of the BSc in Data Science programme once an average of at least 55% has been achieved over the 120 credits of assessments for this stage. Where students do not achieve the overall average of 55%  their progression to Stage 1 will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

At subsequent stages 1-3, you can progress to the next stage (or the final year, to proceed to the award of an honours degree) once at least 90 credits have been passed in a stage, and provided that an average of at least 40% has been achieved over the 120 credits of assessment for that stage.

Condonement is the process that allows you to be awarded credit (and so progress to the next stage or, in the final stage, receive an award), despite failing to achieve a pass mark at a first attempt. You are not entitled to reassessment in condoned credit.

At stage zero, you must have achieved an average mark of at least 55% across the 120 credits of assessment including the marks for any failed and condoned modules.

You must have registered for and participated in modules amounting to at least 120 credits in the stage.

You must pass the modules marked with a 'Yes' in the 'non-condonable' column in the tables above.

Assessment and Awards

At stage zero of the programme, If you have achieved 120 credits with an overall of at least 40% and less than 55% at Level 3, you may be awarded a Foundation year Certificate as an exit award, and if you achieve 120 credits with an overall of 55% or above, you will progress to stage 1 of the BSc in Data Science programme.

UG Programmes: Assessment at stages zero and one does not contribute to the summative classification of the award. The award will normally be based on the degree mark formed from the credit weighted average marks for stages 2 and 3 combined in the ratio 1:2 respectively.

Classification

The marking of modules and the classification of awards broadly corresponds to the following marks:

Undergraduate Degrees                                         Postgraduate Degrees

Class I    70% +                                                        Distinction   70%+

Class II   Division I 60-69%                                       Merit            60-69%

Class II   Division II 50-59%                                      Pass            50-59%

Class III  40-49%

Full details of assessment regulations for UG programmes and PGT programmes assessment regulations can be found in the Teaching Quality Assurance Manual (TQA) on the University of Exeter website.  Generic marking criteria are also published here.

Please see the Teaching and Quality Assurance Manual for further guidance.

Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Faculties should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.

Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  Help may be obtained through the Helpdesk, and most study bedrooms in hall and flats are linked to the University's campus network.

Additionally the Faculty has its own dedicated IT support staff, helpdesk and computer facilities which are linked to the wider network, but which also provide access to some specialised software packages.  Email is an important channel of communication between staff and students in the Facultyand an extensive range of web-based information (see https://student-harrison.emps.ex.ac.uk/index.php) is maintained for the use of students, including a comprehensive and annually revised student handbook.

The Harrison Learning Resource Centre is general open during building open hours. The Centre is available for quiet study, with four separate rooms that can be booked for meetings and group work.  Amongst its facilities, the Learning Resource Centre has a number of desks, four meeting rooms with large LCD screens, and free use of a photocopier.  Also available are core texts from your module reading lists, and undergraduate and MSc projects from the past two years.

Online Module study resources provide materials for modules that you are registered for, in addition to some useful subject and IT resources.  Generic study support resources, library and research skills, past exam papers, and the 'Academic Honesty and Plagiarism' module are also available through the student portal.

Staff Student Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

(Standard entry) All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.

Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the University of Exeter. In addition, entry to this programme will normally require a qualification equivalent to A-levels at grades ABB to AAA or higher, including A-level Mathematics.

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed Faculties assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both Faculty and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice.  See the University's TQA Manual for details.
 

Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).