Elements of Data Processing (COMP20008)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
James Bailey
baileyj@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Chris Ewin
cewin@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
Data processing is fundamental to computing and data science. This subject gives an introduction to various aspects of data processing including database management, representation and analysis of data, information retrieval, visualisation and reporting, and cloud computing. This subject introduces students to the area, with an emphasis on both tools and underlying foundations.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
The subject's focus is on the data pipeline, and activities known colloquially as 'data wrangling'. Indicative topics covered include:
- Capturing data (data ingress)
- Data representation and storage
- Cleaning, normalisation and filling in missing data (imputation)
- Combing multiple sources of data (data integration)
- Query languages and processing
- Scripting to support the data pipeline
- Distributing a database over multiple nodes (sharding), cloud computing file systems
- Visualisation and presentation
Intended learning outcomes
Having completed this subject the student is expected to:
- ILO 1 - Be able to describe the relationship of the data pipeline to data science
- ILO 2 - Be able to develop and critically evaluate alternative approaches to components of typical data pipelines
- ILO 3 - Apply data processing methodologies to preparing data while managing data quality, system scalability, and usability for decision making
- ILO 4 - Communicate effectively about data processing methodologies in oral form
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- An ability to apply fundamental knowledge in reasoning and problem solving
- An ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
- The capacity to solve problems, including the collection and evaluation of information
- The capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection
- Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship
- An expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, and the capacity to do so.
Last updated: 18 January 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP10001 | Foundations of Computing |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP10003 | Media Computation | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90059 | Introduction to Programming |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR
Admission into one of the following:
- GD-CS Graduate Diploma in Computer Science
- MC-DATASC Master of Data Science
- GD-DATASC Graduate Diploma in Data Science
- MC-SOFTENG Master of Software Engineering
Students who have completed COMP10002 Foundations of Algorithms but neither COMP10001 Foundations of Computing nor COMP10003 Media Computation and who have knowledge of Python are invited to approach the subject coordinator to discuss their possible enrolment into the subject.
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| INFO20002 | Foundations of Informatics | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 18 January 2025
Assessment
Semester 1
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Project work during semester, applying data processing and analysis to datasets, requiring approximately 60 hours of work per student in total, due in approximately week 5 and week 11. Addresses Intended Learning Outcomes, (ILO) 1-4.
| Due in approximately week 5 and week 11 | 50% |
One 2 hour end-of-semester closed-book examination. Addresses ILO 1 and 2.
| During the examination period | 50% |
Semester 2
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Project work during semester, applying data processing and analysis to datasets, requiring approximately 60 hours of work per student in total, due in approximately week 5 and week 11. Addresses Intended Learning Outcomes, (ILO) 1-4.
| Due in approximately week 5 and week 11 | 50% |
One 2 hour end-of-semester closed-book examination. Addresses ILO 1 and 2.
| During the examination period | 50% |
Additional details
Last updated: 18 January 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator James Bailey Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 42 hours, comprising two 1-hour lectures and one 1.5-hour workshop per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
James Bailey
baileyj@unimelb.edu.au - Semester 2
Principal coordinator Chris Ewin Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours, comprising two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour workshop per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
Chris Ewin
cewin@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Semester 1: 170 hours; Semester 2: 200 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 18 January 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 18 January 2025