Data Science and Computing with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

Birkbeck, University of London

Our BSc Data Science and Computing will give you a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics and computer science and the skills 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.

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

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.

Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical classes. 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.

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.

- 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. Today, we provide a stimulating teaching and research environment for both part-time and full-time students.- Our world-class research in data science, data analytics and software engineering at the Birkbeck Institute for Data Analytics (BIDA) informs our teaching and our interactions with business, public and third-sector organisations.- We have four 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.