Data Science and Computing BSc (Hons)

Our bsc data science and computing will give you a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics and computer science and the skills and knowledge to tackle real-world problems. You will learn cutting-edge techniques for collecting, storing, analysing and visualising data, and how to extract information to inform decision-making across various organisations, essential for a career as a data scientist or data-driven software developer. 

Why choose this course? 

• This course offers a balance between learning current skills, which are essential in today's marketplace, and a deep understanding of the fundamentals, which provide a solid basis for long-lasting professional success.
• Whilst studying our BSc Data Science and Computing you will uncover valuable insights from data, a skill highly sought after by employers across all sectors of the economy including business, finance, manufacturing and the public sector.
• You will also consider social, professional and organisational issues that play a key role in understanding how data science and computing contribute to and shape the future of businesses and organisations.
• This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), the professional body for computing in the UK, which supports IT professionals and promotes the ethical and responsible use of technology.

What you will learn

• Data science combines data analytics, applied statistics, computer science and software engineering. You will gain a broad knowledge of computing and mathematics and acquire strong programming and data analysis skills using Python, R and Java - the most popular programming languages used by data scientists today.

How you will learn

• Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical classes, while the Foundation Year is composed of group work, individual tutorial work and practical lab work. Many computing modules include laboratory-based exercises. All lectures are recorded and materials are made available online.
• For the majority of the programming modules we adopt a 'flipped classroom' approach, where you watch short videos and perform appropriate reading before the class, making this an active rather than passive learning experience.

Foundation Year

• If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. 

Highlights

• Our world-class research activity informs our teaching and we provide a stimulating teaching and research environment for both part-time and full-time students. 
• Birkbeck was ranked in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Computer Science and Informatics research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. 
• Birkbeck established one of the first computing departments in the UK in 1957 and was a pioneer in database technologies, eCommerce, and data science, studies. 
• Our high-quality teaching and research foster our interactions with business, public and third sector organisations, offering our students unique opportunities in their studies. 
• We have modern computing laboratories, with a total of 133 workstations. The labs have projection facilities and are air-conditioned. Our wide range of software runs on a number of platforms including Unix, Windows and Linux. The local area network is a switched gigabit/10gigabit ethernet. Our computers are connected to the SuperJANET academic network.
• Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
• Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

Teaching

• At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.
• Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.
• In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

Methods of teaching on this course
Lectures, group tutorials and exercises, and laboratory-based computing exercises.

Teaching hours

• Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.
• On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).
• Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.
• Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.
• On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

Timetables

• Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

Indicative class size

• Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

Independent learning

• On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.
• Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

Assessment

• Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.
• Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this BSc Data Science and Computing, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

• Problem-solving
• Analytical thinking
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Project management.

Graduates gain a combination of skills valuable to employers. They can pursue career paths as programmers, data scientists or software engineers. Job opportunities exist in software companies, healthcare, banking, insurance, policing and tech companies as, for example: 

• Machine learning engineers for artificial intelligence software
• Analytics associates/data scientists
• Quantitative analysts
• Graduate software developers.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.