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Databases and advanced data techniques

Data science is a significant subfield in computer science which has seen rapid growth in recent years as companies and institutions have begun to gather data at scale across many sectors. Data science has many application areas ranging from medicine to climate science and business analytics.

We want you to learn by doing – we’ve got a strong focus on the practical rather than the theoretical. The program is highly hands-on; you will be designing, developing and implementing software solutions since Day 1.

By studying this programme you will:

• develop the necessary skills to be a data scientist. This will include learning about artificial intelligence, data analytics and machine learning.

Take your career to the next level

The explosive and ever-growing use of technology in business and commerce means that there’s a whole range of different career possibilities for computing graduates. In terms of job opportunities and salaries, the IT sector is well ahead of most other industrial and commercial sectors.

With the BSc Computer Science (Data Science), you will be able to apply for a range of data-intensive technical jobs in sectors such as business, finance, medicine, education, engineering and science and the creative industries.

• Data Scientist
• Data Visualisation Engineer
• Business Data Analyst
• Data Manager

Teaching Faculty

Local faculty support from SIM and online academic support from Goldsmiths, University of London.

Delivery Mode

All class are conducted on SIM campus unless otherwise stated.

A blended learning approach is adopted. Not only students learn through the resources/content and instruction via digital and online media. Students also prepare ahead for discussion, produce coursework or project work; face-to-face sessions emphasize on discussions, case studies, and hands-on exercises. In class, the lecturer facilitates the discussion and the learning. As such, a large amount of time is spent on a mixture of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• laboratory sessions

Duration of each lesson is 3 hours.

Mode of Study

Classes are held in three-hour blocks between Monday and Friday, starting at 8.30am, 12pm or 3.30pm. There are occasional classes on weeknights at 7pm and weekends.

Academic Materials

• Cousera
• Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• SIM student portal
• University materials such as subject guides, past exam papers and exam commentaries, reading lists and handbooks on good study strategies

Programme Calendar (Per Semester)

Study Period: Week 1 – 21
Coursework 1: Week 6 or 7
Coursework 2: Week 13 or 14
Exams: Week 22

Candidature Period

Minimum / Maximum period:
Minimum: 3 year (with relevant Recognition of Prior Learning, a minimum of 2 years is possible)
Maximum: 6 years

No refund or recourse should the student fail to complete within the maximum period.

At SIM, students who are academically weak and find it difficult to progress or complete the programme within the minimum duration will receive counselling.

SIM reserves the right to withdraw a student who cannot cope with the demands of the programme, especially when the student’s pass has expired.

Minimum Class Size

There will be a minimum of 25 students for the programmes to commence. Students will be informed within one month prior to class commencement if the programme fails to commence due to low take up rate.

Curriculum

This programme will run over two semesters each year. Student can study up to four new modules in one semester; or two plus final project.

Year 1 Modules: Learn the fundamentals: how computers work, how to programme, and more about the mathematics that underpins computer science

• CM1005 Introduction to programming I
• CM1010 Introduction to programming II
• CM1015 Numerical mathematics
• CM1020 Discrete mathematics
• CM1025 Fundamentals of computer science
• CM1030 How computers work
• CM1035 Algorithms and data structure I
• CM1040 Web development

Year 2 Modules: Deepen the programming skills to consider software projects and explore specialist topics such as Graphics Programming and Data Science.

• CM2005 Object oriented programming
• CM2010 Software design and development
• CM2015 Programming with data
• CM2020 Agile software projects
• CM2025 Computer security
• CM2030 Graphics programming
• CM2035 Algorithms and data structure II
• CM2040 Databases, network and the wen

Year 3 Modules: Study elective modules then undertake a 30 credit project that combines your knowledge and skills to create a software system.

FIVE specialist modules from the list:

• CM3005 Data science
• CM3010 Data based and advanced data technique
• CM3015 Machine Learning and neural networks
• CM3035 Advanced web development
• CM3060 Natural language processing

AND choose ONE module from the following:

• CM3020 Artificial intelligence
• CM3025 Virtual reality
• CM3030 Games development
• CM3040 Physical computing and internet of things
• CM3045 3D graphics and animation
• CM3050 Mobile development
• CM3055 Interaction design
• CM3065 Intelligent signal processing

PLUS a compulsory project:

• CM3070 Final project

Note: Each modules is assessed either by coursework or a combination of coursework and a two-hour unseen written examination.

Module Information (PDF 114 KB)

Entry Requirements

General Entrance Requirements (GER) are:

1. At least 17 years or older in the year of registration with UOL
2. Must have B4 grade at GCE ‘O’ Level Mathematics or AS Level Mathematics (Grade A-E) or its equivalent
3. Provide proof of competence in English acceptable to the University, such as a pass (Grade C6 and above) in the GCE ‘O’ Level English Language Examination

PLUS one of the following.

• Possess diploma awarded by SIM or a polytechnic in ²ÝÁñÉçÇø (or its equivalent) OR
• Two approved GCE ‘A’ or h6 level subjects and three approved GCE ‘O’ level subjects (at not less than grade C) OR
• Three approved GCE ‘A’ or h6 level subjects and one approved GCE ‘O’ level subject (at not less than grade C) OR
• Three h6 passes provided that at least grades D, E OR
• Two h6 and two H1 passes; all are in non-overlapping subjects

Foreign Applicants:

Click here for information on overseas qualifications

Breakdown of the Estimated Overall Fees: S$37,800 (for 22 modules + 1 final project)

• Payable to SIM: Programme fees: S$19,260 
• Payable to UOL: Institution-supported learning fees payable to UOL: £8,496*
• Payable to RELC Examinations Bureau: UOL examination fees: S$2,400*

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST.

Fee Breakdown that payable to University of London (UOL)

1. UOL institution-supported learning fee (Band B country): £354 (15 credits)*

2. UOL institution-supported learning fee (Band B country): £708 (30 credits)*

3. UOL module continuation fee (if the module is not completed in the six months study session): £200* (per module)

* These are estimated amount as UOL and RELC fees are subject to exchange rate fluctuations, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø taxation and annual increase.

Special note:

1) UOL International Programmes’ alumni will enjoy the 10% off from fees that are charged by UOL. If you are UOLIP graduate and would like to find out more about the discount, please log onto  for more details.

2) Applicants who are ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Citizens may wish to apply for the SkillsFuture Study Award under Financial or Infocomm Technology sector. Please visit the  to view the eligibility criteria.

Exemption Eligibility

Holders of relevant IT qualifications or diplomas may be considered by UOL for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and be exempted from part or all of the first academic year (two semesters).

The following polytechnic diplomas qualify for automatic exemption/RPL from the first year. No fee is required for these RPL. Candidates may enrol for Year 2 (Semester 3).

Nanyang Polytechnic

1. Diploma in Business Informatics
2. Diploma in Financial Informatics
3. Diploma in Business Enterprise IT
4. Diploma in Multimedia and Infocomm Technology
5. Diploma in Business and Financial Technology
6. Diploma in Business Intelligence and Analytics
7. Diploma in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics (Previously known as Diploma in Cyber Security and Forensics)
8. Diploma in Infocomm and Security
9. Diploma in Information Technology

²ÝÁñÉçÇø Polytechnic

1. Diploma in Information Technology (Data Science & Digital Analytics Specialisation)
2. Diploma in Business Information Technology

For more details about Recognition of Prior Learning, please visit 

For new intake in 2020. The average teacher-student ratio is expected to be 1:25

Lecturers & their Teaching Modules (PDF 873 KB)

Attendance requirement

Local: 75%
International (inclusive of Dependent Pass/Long-term Visit Pass holders): 90%

Assessment & Exams

Modules

Each module, excluding the Final Project, is assessed either by coursework or a combination of coursework and a two-hour unseen written examination.

Note: Each coursework element may consist of multiple items of assessment. The pass mark for any element of assessment is 40%.

Final Project

The summative assessment for the Final Project consists of both coursework and a written examination, weighted in the ratio 80:20. The written examination consisting of questions relating to your project.

Each item of coursework, totaling 80% of the overall mark for the Final Project, is weighted as follows:

Grading Scheme

70-100 : First Class Honours
60-69   : Second Upper Class Honours
50-59   : Second Lower Class Honours
40-49   : Third Class Honours
0-39     : Fail

A student who does not qualify for honours may be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Computing Studies as an exit award.

Graduation

The award of the BSc (Hons) degree requires successful completion of all modules and final project.

Graduates may participate in the presentation ceremony on SIM campus in April or the University of London (UK) in March.

Graduates of the UOL International Programmes may progress to postgraduate studies either locally or overseas.