Data Science

Level 1.1

Computing Mathematics

This module introduces the basic concepts of relations and functions, matrices and methods of statistics and their applications relevant to IT professionals. The main emphasis in this module is to develop students’ ability in solving quantitative problems in computing mathematics, and probability and statistics. Topics covered include fundamentals of statistics and probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions.

Cyber Security Fundamentals

This module provides an overview of the various domains of cyber security. It helps develop an understanding of the importance of cyber security in today’s digital world. It aims to provide an appreciation of cyber security from an end- to-end perspective. It covers fundamental security concepts, tools and techniques in domains such as data, end-user, software, system, network, physical, organisation, and digital forensics. It also helps develop knowledge and skills in identifying common cyber threats and vulnerabilities, and to apply techniques to tackle these issues. In this module, students are assessed by coursework only.

Data Science Fundamentals

This module provides an overview of Data Science, its importance in the world of data and how it affects the competitiveness of organizations. Learners will learn about the different areas within Data Science and the core pillars essential to practise in the area. Students will also be introduced to Design Thinking. Indicative topics include Introduction to Data Science, Big Data and Analytical Design Thinking.

Design Principles

This module introduces students to basic elements and principles of design. Students will practice visual communication and self-branding through aesthetic use of line, shape, form, color, texture, typography, scale, contrast, rhythm and balance. Students will be trained in the usage of digital design tools and application of modern industrial practices to communicate the concepts, designs and solutions.

Fundamentals for IT Professionals I

This module provides an introduction to the field of IT by exploring the roles, professional practices, ethical expectations and career development paths of IT professionals. Through a guided inculcation of interpersonal and team work skills with strong team bonding spirit, the module aims to deepen students’ commitment to the sector that the course prepares them for. In addition, students will be required to begin charting their career path in the IT industry by considering crucial aspects such as personal preferences and aptitude, job roles and responsibilities, skills needed and further education.

Programming I

This module introduces the fundamentals of programming and how to develop programs using appropriate problem- solving techniques in a modular style. In this practice-oriented module, students are taught how to apply problem- solving skills using a top- down structured programming methodology and given ample practice in translating solutions into computer programs, then test and debug the programs. Topics include data types, variables, expressions, statements, selection structures, loops, simple computation and algorithms, and the use of libraries. Students will also practise the use of pseudocodes, best practices of programming, debugging techniques with the help of tools, development of test cases, and suitable program documentation. In addition, they will study various areas where application software plays a prominent part in helping organisations solve problems. Students will be given ample opportunity for independent and self- directed learning.

Innovation Made Possible

Underpinned by the Design Thinking framework, Innovation Made Possible aims to build creative confidence in you. The module will sensitize you to the process of user-centric problem solving and allow you to discover and hone your innate ability to think creatively, come up with innovations to tackle problems and explore new ideas for your studies and beyond.

Health & Wellness

This module provides you with an opportunity to be active, keep fit and stay healthy through basic sports skill acquisition. It also aims to enhance your social and psychological well-being through a variety of sports electiveswhile taking you through the process of character development, choice and decision making.

Level 1.2

Databases

Today’s business organisations depend on information systems in virtually all aspects of their businesses. Corporate databases are set up to hold the voluminous business transactions generated by these information systems. This module introduces students to the underlying concepts of database systems and how to model and design database systems that reflect business requirements. Students will be taught how to analyse data needs, model the relationships amongst the data entities, apply normalisation process to relations and create the physical database.

Skills to be taught include data modelling technique, transformation of data model to relations, normalisation technique and Structured Query Language (SQL).

Data Discovery & Visualisation

This module discusses the principles and techniques for creating effective visualisations based on graphic design and perceptual psychology. Using widely adopted tools and analytical programming, learners will apply these principles and techniques to create rich visualisations for analysis and presentation. Indicative topics include Principles of Visualization, Dashboard Design Techniques and Designing for an Audience.

Mathematics for Data Science

In this module, students will first be exposed to statistical concepts, including hypothesis testing, probability distribution and more. Students will be able to perform univariate, multivariate and correlation analysis in order to identify inherent patterns and derive key insights from business data. Indicative topics include Normal Distribution, Sampling and Sampling Distributions and Correlation Analysis.

Programming II

This module builds upon the knowledge and skills acquired in Programming I. It aims to provide opportunities for the students to develop medium- scale applications based on the Object-Oriented (OO) approach. A suitable object- oriented high-level programming language will be used for students to continuously apply their problem-solving skills. The main concepts of OO and the implementation of applications using the OO approach will be taught in this module.

The module may also cover the concepts of Abstract Data Types (ADTs) and the implementation of some selected ADTs using the OO approach. Suitable sorting and search algorithms and the use of Application Protocol Interface (API) will be introduced when required. Other key topics include the introduction of system design concepts such as the class diagram. Software robustness and correctness, and good programming practices will be emphasised throughout the module. Independent and self-directed learning will also be encouraged.

Communication Essentials

Communication Essentials aims to develop written and spoken communicative competence in you by exposing you to a range of contemporary issues from different disciplinary perspectives. You will learn to carry out research, read critically, write effectively and express yourself confidently while developing a global view, an awareness of cultural intelligence and of self in relation to society

Course Curriculum (Year 1)

Level 2.1

Intelligent Enterprise Systems

The use of intelligent enterprise systems has become a necessity in multi-national companies as well as small and medium enterprises. This module introduces students to the different components that build up an intelligent enterprise system. Students will be able to appreciate the complexity of business processes, how IT can help organisations to be more competitive and gain basic management skills that are required to manage business processes in an organisation.

Data Exploration & Analysis

In this module, students will experience the process of exploratory data analysis, normalization of data and data distribution analysis, which will be crucial for subsequent understanding of machine learning concepts and models. Students will explore data using a combination of statistical and visualisation techniques. Indicative topics include Data Warehousing, Data Dimensional Modelling and Data Mining.

Data Wrangling

This module focuses on the use programming libraries and shell scripting techniques to clean and prepare data for analysis and modelling purposes. Emphasis will be placed on the Extraction, Transformation, and Loading (ETL) of data sets. Indicative topics include Storage and Database Connections, Manipulation of Datasets and Web Scraping.

Elective Module I

Electives offered by the Diploma in Data Science:

• Customer Experience Management
• Enterprise Business Processes
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Applied Analytics
• Deep Learning
• Advanced Databases
• Cloud Architecture & Technologies
• Accounting
• Banking Applications & Processes
• Spreadsheet Engineering
• Risk Management
• Infocomm Sales & Marketing Strategies
• Customer Decision Making & Negotiation Skills

Fundamentals for IT Professionals 2

This module gives a course-based experience in which students can engage with the local community and industry. This includes participation in community service events or in Service-Learning projects that leverages on students’ discipline knowledge and skills to meet identified needs. Through iterative and guided reflection on the service experience, students gain a broader appreciation of their discipline and an enhanced sense of personal voice, empathy and civic responsibility. Industry talks and seminars are organised to keep students up-to-date on emerging trends so as to build up their interpersonal, team and networking skills with the community and industry.

World Issues: A Singapore Perspective

This module develops a student’s ability to think critically on world issues. Students will discuss a wide range of social, political and cultural issues from the Singapore perspective. It also looks at how city-state Singapore defied the odds and witnessed close to half a century of rapid economic growth, strong political ties and social harmony.

Level 2.2

Agile DataOps

This module explores the end-to-end cycle of data analytics through a DataOps framework. Students will be introduced to the motivations behind DataOps such as the Agile framework, how DataOps can add significant value to analytics development and deployment, and also the best practices in DataOps. Indicative topics include Agile Data Warehousing, Innovation for DataOps and Test Automation.

Machine Learning

This module allows students to use leading software and associated libraries, to develop supervised learning and unsupervised learning models in order to solve the real life problems. Emphasis will be placed on machine learning model selection, training and development of predictive models and model evaluation. Indicative topics include Supervised Learning Models, Unsupervised Learning Models and Model Evaluation and Improvement Techniques.

Distributed Data Pipelines

This module will introduce various aspects of data engineering concepts through the building of resilient distributed databases, such as Hadoop and Spark platforms. Students will understand how to extract valuable data from multiple sources and propose scalable solutions where appropriate. Indicative topics include Tools and Platforms for Big Data, Structures and Schemas for Big Data and Streaming Tools and Platforms.

Elective Module 2

Electives offered by the Diploma in Data Science:

• Customer Experience Management
• Enterprise Business Processes
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Applied Analytics
• Deep Learning
• Advanced Databases
• Cloud Architecture & Technologies
• Accounting
• Banking Applications & Processes
• Spreadsheet Engineering
• Risk Management
• Infocomm Sales & Marketing Strategies
• Customer Decision Making & Negotiation Skills

Fundamentals for IT Professionals 3

This module provides a stepping stone to the students in their IT career. Students are given an insight into the infocomm industries and are kept abreast of the updates and the necessary skill sets required in their IT career path. They also have the opportunity to be exposed to the various institutes of higher learning to further enhance their skill sets.

Course Curriculum (Year 2)

Level 3.1

Emerging Trends in Data Science

This module explores the latest trends and technologies in the areas of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics. Students will be exposed to fresh developments and prominent discoveries in machine learning techniques, growth in the areas of AI solutions, as well as ethical issues and governance pertaining to the use of AI solutions and Data Science applications.

Data Science Capstone Project

This module requires students to complete a substantial Data Science project that is the culmination of the concepts learned and skills picked up in the first two years of the course. The project enables students to apply and integrate what they have learnt and give them an opportunity to experience the end-to-end Data Science workflow, and allowing them to delve deeper into topics of interest.

Industry Currency Project

This module requires students to embark on Data Science projects that are contributed by the industry, allowing students to work on real-world Data Science problems yet in an academic environment, with learning facilitated by academics. Depending on the scenarios crafted in collaboration with the industry, the module may be structured as a datathon for rapid ideation and solutioning. Short workshops may be conducted to allow students to be supplemented with knowledge useful for the projects, or to be familiar with tools and understanding more about what are the resources currently available.

Elective Modules

Electives offered by Diploma in Data Science

• Customer Experience Management
• Enterprise Business Processes
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Applied Analytics
• Deep Learning
• Advanced Databases
• Cloud Architecture & Technologies
• Accounting
• Banking Applications & Processes
• Spreadsheet Engineering
• Risk Management
• Infocomm Sales & Marketing Strategies
• Customer Decision Making & Negotiation Skills

Project ID: Connecting the Dots

Project ID aims to prepare you for an increasingly globalized and interconnected world where problems are multi-faceted and require interdisciplinary research and collaboration to solve. Using a project-based learning approach, you will have the opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary team with students from across the polytechnic to investigate and propose comprehensive recommendations for a pressing real-world problem affecting Singapore. You will be guided to step out of your disciplinary silos and effectively communicate and collaborate with peers from different backgrounds. Ultimately, the module seeks to develop independent learning skills and the ability to synthesize diverse strands of knowledge to solve a complex problem, while impressing on you the importance of being a responsible global citizen.

Level 3.2

Internship or Project

This module provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained to develop an IT solution to solve a practical problem. Students may undertake an in-house industry-driven project, a Technopreneurship Enterprise project or a real-life IT project in a local or overseas organisation. These projects may include problem definition, requirements analysis, design, development and testing, delivery and presentation of the solution.

Through the project, students will learn to appreciate the finer points of project planning and control issues relating to IT project development.

Course Curriculum (Year 3)