The MSc Data Science and Environmental Intelligence programme provides a diverse curriculum to teach you the skills required to become proficient in data collection, management, and analysis to meet the current and future demands of the data economy with a particular focus on environmental systems and data.
During the first two semesters of the one-year taught programme you will gain essential computing skills such as software development and coding, modelling and machine learning, and advanced statistical data handling with a focus on big data. Alongside developing your technical expertise, you will learn how environmental data are collected and analysed, and how such data are essential for sustainable development. In particular, our new facilities in terrestrial and marine sensors, and ground-breaking work on marine autonomous vehicles, will open your eyes to the future of environmental sensing technology.
In the final semester, you will complete an independent dissertation project with a focus on either a terrestrial or marine issue. Throughout your studies you will be supported in gaining the research and professional skills to help you succeed in the programme and to launch a successful career.
Core modules
MATH513 Big Data and Social Network Visualization
Sophisticated analytics techniques are needed to visualize increasing quantities of Big Data. Current R tools including dplyr for data manipulation, ggplot2 for
visualization and knitr/LaTeX for document presentation are studied and applied to database interrogation, social network visualization and sentiment analysis. The module provides considerable experience of writing professionally documented R code using RStudio.
COMP5000 Software Development and Databases
This module will provide knowledge and skills in software development and database design. It will cover computational problem solving, abstraction and problem decomposition. The module will enable students to identify appropriate system requirements related to the relational database model.
GEES531 Environmental Observations and Quality Assurance
This module introduces the fundamental concepts of ‘the analytical approach’ to working with environmental problems, including student-lead case studies that allowing them to learn and apply the principles of good practice for observational data collection, quality control and traceability. Research study skills sessions are included, leading to the planning of a research dissertation.
MATH501 Modelling and Analytics for Data Science
This module gives students an understanding of modelling and analytics techniques for Data Science. It supplies modern data modelling tool boxes for making strategic decisions in a broad range of Business related practical situations. It offers a hands-on introduction to Bayesian inference and machine learning. It provides additional practice in making professional presentations.
GEES535 Terrestrial Environmental Sensors and Big Data
Terrestrial sensor networks and observations are revolutionising both the way we design our urban and domestic environments and the way that the land and catchments are managed. This module will provide insight into the current advances in the way automated sensors and remote sensing are being used in research fields across earth and environmental sciences. Students will learn to solve questions relating to real world sustainability challenges using expanded data sets from a variety of observational techniques and sensor networks.
MAR538 Marine Environmental Monitoring
Monitoring of the marine environment provides data that underpins research, exploitation, management and policy development. Through this module, students will learn about the practicalities of reliable marine data collection using a variety of autonomous platforms and sensors, be introduced to the full breadth of secondary data sources from across the subject area and develop associated skills in spatial and time-series data analysis techniques and interpretation using specialist software.
Optional Modules
Depending on your interests and background you can choose to complete your dissertation in either the environmental or marine sciences.
- GEES520 MSc Dissertation
- MAR524 MSc Dissertation