Course name: University Entry Level 3 Diploma in Data Science
No. of units:
3DS01 to 3DS12
Qualification:
Level 3 Diploma in Data Science - 610/1950/1
Course option
£1,990 / £4,900
About This Course
The aim of the QUALIFI Level 3 Diploma in Data Science is to provide learners with an introduction and understanding of the field of data science.
The Level 3 Diploma provides a contemporary and holistic overview of data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, from the birth of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the late 1950s, to the dawn of the “big data” era in the early 2000s, to the current applications of AI and machine learning and the various challenges associated with them. In addition to the standard machine learning models of linear and logistic regression, decision trees and k-means clustering, the diploma introduces learners to two new exciting and emerging areas of data science: synthetic data and graph data science.
The Diploma also introduces learners to the data analytical landscape and associated analytical tools, teaching introductory Python so that Learners can analyse, explore, and visualise data, as well as implement a number of basic data science models.
Successful completion of the QUALIFI Level 3 Diploma in Data Science provides learners with the opportunity to progress to further study or employment
- Understand key cryptographic principles and modes
- Understand the standards, regulations and laws that apply to business and government organisations in relation to encryption
- Understand the core principles of digital investigations
- Apply the types of tools that support professional digital investigations at a strategic level
- Plan for an investigations and forensics teams
- Understand the physical and human resources required to manage a major suspected cyber security incident
- Apply Business Continuity Management to major incident planning and response
- Understand the role senior leaders and strategic leadership
- Evaluate the management streams and performance monitoring mechanisms that relate to information security
- Understand how data protection legislation impacts considerations of strategy-setting and strategic leadership
Examples of University Progression
- University of Sunderland – On Campus
- Anglia Ruskin University
- Coventry University
- Level 4 Diploma in Cyber Security Management and Operations.
- University for University’s entry level (Year 2)
- Employment in an associated profession.
The qualification will:
- advanced levels of higher education learning
- prepare learners for employment; and
- support a range of senior IT and Digital, Data and Security roles in the workplace.
Entry Requirements
- Approved Centres are responsible for reviewing and making decisions as to the applicant’s ability to complete the learning programme successfully and meet the demands of the qualification. The initial assessment by the centre will need to consider the support that is readily available or can be made available to meet individual learner needs as appropriate.
- The qualification has been designed to be accessible without artificial barriers that restrict access. For this qualification, applicants must be aged 18 or over.
- Entry to the qualification will be through centre-led registration processes which may include interview or other appropriate processes.
Approved Centres are responsible for reviewing and making decisions as to the applicant’s ability to complete the learning programme successfully and meet the demands of the qualification. The initial assessment by the centre will need to consider the support that is readily available or can be made available to meet individual learner needs as appropriate. The qualification has been designed to be accessible without artificial barriers that restrict
access. For this qualification, applicants must be aged 18 or over.
Entry to the qualification will be through centre-led registration processes which may include interview or other appropriate processes.
Although there is a significant amount of advanced mathematics and statistics in advanced data science courses, including linear algebra and differential calculus, in this Level 3 Diploma, Learners only need to be comfortable with GCSE level mathematics. All the mathematical and statistical concepts covered in the Diploma require nothing more than standard mathematical operations of addition, multiplication, and division. Prior to starting the Level 3 Diploma in Data Science, learners are expected to hold at a
minimum:
- GCSE Mathematics at grade B or higher (new level 6 or above); and
- GCSE English at grade C or higher (new level 4 or above).
In addition, no prior coding experience is required though learners must be willing and comfortable to learn Python. Python has been specifically chosen as it easy to use and learn.
In certain circumstances, applicants with considerable experience but no formal qualifications may be considered, subject to interview and being able to demonstrate their
ability to cope with the demands of the qualification.
Completing the QUALIFI Level 3 Diploma ii Data Science will enable learners to:
- Progress to QUALIFI Level 4 Diploma in Data Science.
- Apply for entry to a UK university for an undergraduate degree.
- Progress to employment in an associated profession.
Awarding Body
Qualification
Qualification Numbers: Level 3 Diploma in Data Science - 610/1950/1
Course Details
This unit introduces learners to the field of data science from the birth of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the late 1950s to the dawn of the “big data” era in the early 2000s, to the current applications of AI, machine learning and deep learning and the various challenges associated with them.
This unit provides learners with an introduction to Python programming for data science. The unit assumes no prior knowledge of coding or of Python and so starts by explaining the basics of Python, its design philosophy, syntax, naming conventions and coding standards. The unit then introduces the basic Python data types of integers, floats, strings, complex numbers and booleans and explains how these data types can be created, changed, manipulated, and calculated using standard mathematical functions, logical operators, and Python’s built-in methods and functions. The unit also introduces more complex data structures critical to many data analytics and data science tasks, such as “lists”, “tuples”, “sets”, and “dictionaries”. The unit explains how to use control and flow statements such as branching and looping as well as the basics of writing user-defined Python functions – all the ingredients needed to later perform data analysis and to code data science models successfully
This unit introduces the learner to basic charts and visualisations and how to create and interpret them. The unit starts by explaining why visualisations are critical when understanding data and what makes a good and a poor visualisation. The unit introduces learners to a number of basic chart and plot types, explaining their purpose, how to interpret them and explains when they should and should not be used. The unit then focuses on the technology used to produce charts and visualisations in Python, using Seaborn, Matplotlib and other Python libraries.
With modern software, packages, and programming languages, it is too easy for aspiring data scientists to rely on these tools to calculate descriptive statistics for them. It is critical for the modern data scientist to not only be able to interpret descriptive statistics, but also understand them and know how they are calculated. A lack of knowledge and the inability to interpret statistics correctly often leads to erroneous decisions being made which can have serious negative consequences. This unit aims to provide learners with an introduction to descriptive statistics and methods which are key for data analysis and data science. This unit introduces different types of data and descriptive statistics from measures of centre, various measures of spread (including range, percentiles, variance and standard deviation), measures of symmetry (skewness and kurtosis) and measures of joint variability (correlation and covariance). The unit also explains which descriptive statistics can be calculated for the data measured on different scales. In this unit, learners will gain first-hand experience and practice of calculating descriptive statistics for small data sets manually.
This unit serves as the introduction to the core concepts of data analytics. The unit will help learners to differentiate between the roles of a Data Analyst, Data Scientist and Data Engineer. Learners will also be able to summarize the data ecosystem such as databases and data warehouses and learn about major vendors within the data ecosystem and explore the various tools. The unit also introduces learners to the fundamental tasks and processes in the data discovery process such as data cleaning, methods for dealing with data quality and methods for standardising data ready for analysis.
This unit introduces basic data analysis with Python. Learners are introduced to core concepts such as Pandas DataFrames and Series, merging and joining data. This unit also builds on previous units by teaching how to import data, using Python to create descriptive statistics for analysis and interpretation. The unit also teaches learners how to use Python when preparing data for machine learning models by improving data quality and standardising data
This unit provides a high-level overview (rather than a deep dive) of the three main types of machine learning: supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. The unit discusses the use-cases and real-world problems the various methods can be applied to, summarises the key-features of the different methods, as well as the challenges of each method.
This unit introduces the many steps and processes involved when building and evaluating machine learning models. The unit explains the core elements of the machine learning process from how to prepare data to selecting the correct machine learning algorithm to the importance of splitting data into training, test, and validation datasets to avoid the pitfalls of under and overfitting. The unit also covers how to identify and correct class imbalance and discusses when such approaches are needed. Many of the machine learning models that are encountered are supervised classification models and so the unit introduces the common performance metrics as well as how to interpret them. Finally, the unit discusses briefly how to deal with model bias and variance.
A/650/4959 RQF Level: 3
This unit introduces the basic theory of simple linear regression models that are critical to the ability to predict the value of one continuous variable based on the value of another. Learners will be able to estimate the line of best-fit by calculating the regression parameters and understand the accuracy of the line of best-fit. The unit also introduces extensions to simple linear regression by introducing multiple and polynomial regression models to examine relationships between multiple variables. The unit explains how to build simple, multiple, and polynomial linear regression models using Python and libraries such as scikit-learn.
Unit code: H/650/4960 RQF Level: 3
This unit introduces logistic regression and its application as a classification algorithm. The unit explores the basics of binary logistic regression via the logistic function, the Odds ratio, and the Logit function. The unit also explains the differences between linear and logistic regression. Learners will learn how to build and visualise a logistic regression model using Python. The unit will teach learners when it is relevant to choose logistic regression over linear regression, how to interpret the results of logistic regression correctly and how to choose the best logistic model that describes the relationship under question.
Unit code: J/650/4961
RQF Level: 3
This unit introduces the basic theory and application of decision trees. The unit explains
how basic classification trees using the standard ID3 decision-tree construction algorithm are built and how nodes are split based on information theory concepts such has Entropy and Information Gain. The learner will also build and evaluate decision tree models in
Python.
Unit code:
K/650/4962 RQF Level: 3
This unit introduces an unsupervised machine learning algorithm: k-means clustering. The unit aims to provide learners with the intuition behind k-means clustering algorithm and how to find the optimal number of clusters. Finally, the learner will also build and evaluate k-means methods in Python and will learn how visualise the clusters.
Unit code: L/650/4963 RQF
Level: 3 Unit
This unit aims to provide learners with an introduction into an emerging area of data science – synthetic data and its application to data privacy and security. Data collected by companies (such as Google, Facebook, Twitter) as well as governments, are a key resource in today’s information age. However, the leaking and inadvertent disclosure of data poses a serious threat to individual privacy. The unit introduces data privacy, the need for privacy and the legislative landscape. The unit explores traditional means of providing data privacy from anonymisation and encryption, before introducing the learner to the concept of differential privacy and the fundamental challenges of balancing data privacy with data utility
Unit code: M/650/4964 RQF Level: 3
This unit aims to provide learners with an introduction into another emerging area of data science – graphs and graph data science. This unit provides a gentle introduction to the field of graph theory which underpins all modern graph databases and graph analytics. The unit also covers the graph ecosystem, introducing Knowledge Graphs, Labelled Property Graphs and RDF graphs for data storages and processing. The unit introduces graph algorithms which are used to model, store, retrieve and analyse graph-structured data
To demonstrate all learning outcomes and assessment criteria, each unit will be assessed formatively, i.e., assignments focusing on knowledge and understanding of technical skills using sample data. These tasks will address all learning outcomes and related assessment criteria, all of which must be demonstrated/passed in order to achieve the qualification. In addition, learners will need to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding, original thought, and problem-solving skills where appropriate. Intellectual rigour will be expected that is appropriate to the level of the qualification. The summative assignments will contain a question strand for each of the given unit’s learning outcomes. The assignment tasks will address the LO (learning outcome) and AC (assessment criteria) requirements. Within assignments, there will always be requirements for learners to engage with important and relevant theory that underpins the subject area. Evidence of both formative and summative assessment MUST be made available at the time of external quality assurance – EQA.
QUALIFI Level 2 Diploma Business Beginners in Cyber Security is pass/fail.
Pass mark is 40% for each unit.
QUALIFI Level 3 Diploma in Cyber Security Management and Operations is pass/fail.
Pass mark is 40% fo reach unit.
Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications are graded:
Fail – 0-39%
Pass – 40%-59%
Merit – 60% – 69%
Distinction 70%+
Learners’ assessments will be marked internally by the approved centre and will be subject to external moderation by QUALIFI prior to certification.
Learning Outcomes: Learning Outcomes of the QUALIFI Level 3 Diploma in Data Science
- Gain the mathematical and statistical knowledge and understanding required to conduct basic data analysis.
- Develop analytical and machine learning skills with Python.
- Develop a strong understanding of data and data processes, including data cleaning, data structuring, and preparing data for analysis and visualisation.
- Understand the data science landscape and ecosystem, including relational databases, graph databases, programming languages such as Python, visualisation tools, and other analytical tools.
- Understand the machine learning processes, understanding which algorithms to apply to different problems, and the steps required build, test and verify a model.
- Develop an understanding of contemporary and emerging areas of data science, and how they can be applied to modern challenges.
Units
Mandatory
- The Field of Data Science
- Python for Data Science
- Creating and Interpreting
- Visualisations in Data Science
- Data and Descriptive Statistics in Data Science
- Fundamentals of Data Analytics
- Data Analytics with Python
- Machine Learning Methods and Models in Data Science
- The Machine Learning Process
- Linear Regression in Data Science
- Logistic Regression in Data Science
- Decision Trees in Data Science
- K-means Clustering in Data Science
- Synthetic Data for Privacy and Security in Data Science
Graphs and Graph Data Science
QUALIFI qualifications aim to support learners to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to support their professional development within their chosen career and or to provide opportunities for progression to further study. Our qualifications provide opportunities for learners to:
- apply analytical and evaluative thinking skills
- develop and encourage problem solving and creativity to tackle problems and
challenges
- exercise judgement and take responsibility for decisions and actions
- develop the ability to recognise and reflect on personal learning and improve their
personal, social, and other transferable skills.
The qualification will:
- advanced levels of higher education learning
- prepare learners for employment; and
- support a range of senior IT and Digital, Data and Security roles in the workplace
On completion of this course students have the opportunity to complete an Degree programme from a range of UK universities. With level diploma, you are qualifying for university year 3 for degree.
University of Gloucestershire
Anglia Ruskin University
University of Bolton
University of Sunderland
Westcliff University
Northampton University
University of Derby
And More
To enrol onto the level 5 programme, you must be either.
a)a university graduate who is over 18 years old, or
b)a non-university graduate over 24-year-old, and with at least five years of managerial experience.
All course material, including online modules and written assignments.
Personal tutor support with 1-2-1 Zoom sessions
Dedicated student support
Access to an online social learning forum
Assignment marking and feedback.
FREE TOTUM student discount card
FREE laptop*
FREE access to Our Hubs
The fee for the level 4 Diploma in Cyber Security course is £1,990.
Students can make payment using one of the following methods:
- Credit or debit card.
- Bank transfer.
- Interest free monthly instalments
- PayPal
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