| Unit name | Data Science for Business Dissertation: Group project |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MGRCM0052 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Shin |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The Group Project Dissertation unit is a critical component of the MSc Data Science for Business programme designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application. By collaborating with external organisational partners such as industries, governmental, and non-governmental sectors, you engage with actual business challenges that require data-driven solutions. This unit is crucial because it provides you with the opportunity to apply the data science techniques and business strategies learned throughout the programme to solve practical, complex managerial questions posed by these external partners. The hands-on experience of working on real-world projects not only enhances your technical and analytical skills but also develops your ability to work collaboratively, think critically, and communicate effectively in a professional setting.
How Does This Unit Fit into Your Programme of Study?
The Group Project Dissertation is the culmination of the MSc Data Science for Business programme, integrating the diverse knowledge and skills acquired across all units. This unit is strategically positioned as the final capstone, allowing you to synthesise and apply your learning in a comprehensive and impactful way. By working with real organisational partners, you are exposed to the nuances of business environments and the practical challenges faced by managers in decision-making processes. The unit emphasises the importance of data strategy, analysis, and interpretation, as well as the need to provide actionable insights and recommendations that are relevant and feasible in the business context. Through formal presentations and group reports, you demonstrate your ability to translate complex data science concepts into practical solutions, making this unit an essential step in preparing them for successful careers in the field. This is a must-pass unit for a Master's in Data science for business.
An overview of content
In this Group Project Dissertation unit, you will collaborate with external partners from various sectors to address real-world business challenges. Guided by feedback from academic supervisors and industry participants, you will develop a data-driven strategy to solve the given problem. You will apply data science techniques to analyse relevant data, generate insights, and present their findings in a formal business report and presentation. This unit emphasises practical application, teamwork, and the ability to deliver actionable business recommendations.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Upon completing this unit, you will have gained a comprehensive understanding of how to apply data science to solve real-world business problems. You will have developed the ability to work effectively in teams, manage complex projects, and communicate their findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. This experience will enhance your critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional communication skills, preparing you for the demands of the business world.
Learning Outcomes
1) Design a comprehensive data strategy that addresses the specific managerial questions posed by the external partner.
2) Utilize advanced data science techniques and tools to gather and analyse relevant data.
3) Demonstrate your understanding of how to apply data science to given research questions with consideration of the ethical issues.
4) Effectively analyse the collected data and synthesise interpretations of outcomes theoretically and practically.
5) Communicate the process and outcomes clearly and professionally
6) Work collaboratively in diverse groups, demonstrating leadership, cooperation, and the ability to manage group dynamics effectively.
The unit is intended to promote self-directed and collaborative group-based learning and inquiry, under guidance of two project supervisors from both schools (70% coming from the Business School and 30% from the School of Engineering, Maths and Technology). You will be supported in setting up your teams and ways of working, and support, guidance, and formative feedback will be provided through a series of group meetings that every group member must attend.
Also, you will receive support through drop-in programming and debugging lab sessions.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
A dissertation is primarily an independent piece of work completed by the project team (a team of 4-5 students), your learning is supported through a series of meetings with the two supervisors through which guidance and formative feedback are provided.
Both supervisors will be present at the first dissertation meetings, the halfway through and at the end of research period. In addition, the Science and Engineering department will provide practical development support from HPT/TSRs, including drop-in programming and debugging lab sessions.
You are required to submit a group research proposal (2,000 words) as their formative assessment.
You will be required to attend seminars and workshops related to research methods as part of their formative assessment. The following topics will be covered:
Seminar 1: Dissertation Preparation
Seminar 2: Developing research questions
Seminar 3: Writing literature reviews for dissertations
Workshop 1: Literature searching workshops with the library
Workshop 2& 3: Methods Clinics in Business
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
A formal group presentation to industry partners, supervisors, and peers (20 minutes) (10%). [All Learning Outcomes covered]
A dissertation project group report for the partner organisation (6,000-8,000 words) (60%). [All Learning Outcomes covered]
An individual reflection (4,000 words) (30%) that reflects the demonstration of an interaction of the Data Science and Business problems, the research approach, project plan, findings and insights with the related published academic literature. [Covers Learning Outcomes 3, 4, and 5]
Note: both the group presentation and the group report are must-pass components in order to successfully complete this unit.
When assessment does not go to plan:
There are different scenarios that might entail the need for resubmission by an individual member of a group or the whole group. Each case would need to be considered by the dissertation coordinator, programme director and PGT team in collaboration, and the resubmission arrangements would be agreed by the School Exam Board. Resubmission would be decided after all components of the assessment have been marked.
The assessment for this unit includes two group-based components (the project report (60%) and the group presentation (10%)), and passing both of these components is necessary to pass the unit.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MGRCM0052).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
