Key facts

UNE unit code: COSC102

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 2 - On Campus
  • Trimester 2 - Online
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
  • UNE Sydney Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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The world now runs on data. If knowledge is power, data science is increasingly how we discover that knowledge. With limitless possibilities for exploration and innovation, it is a field driven by discovery and communication.

This unit introduces you to data science using simple and efficient toolkits in Python. You will explore various datasets and apply machine learning algorithms to them.

In doing so, you will gain an understanding of data processing workflows, exploration, and visualisation, as well as a conceptual understanding of many of the algorithms themselves.

Designed to be exploratory and collaborative, the unit offers you invaluable insights into a rapidly evolving field with diverse and increasingly important applications.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 2On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 2On Campus, UNE Sydney Campus
Trimester 2Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Co-requisites
COSC110

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

Vera Miloslavskaya

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. explain the concepts behind introductory machine learning algorithms for classification and clustering;
  2. apply machine learning libraries and toolkits to explore datasets and discover knowledge;
  3. visualise the output of machine learning algorithms and describe their meaning;
  4. select appropriate techniques to clean and analyse data; and
  5. explain and consider ethical issues in data science.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Assessment 1Yes10%All offerings

Data science assessment

Assessment 2Yes10%All offerings

Data science assessment

Assessment 3 - Assurance TaskYes30%All offerings

Portfolio Assessment with Verification (Collaborative data science assessment). Students must pass the Final Examination and also pass the sum of the Final Examination and Assessment 3 in aggregate in order to pass the unit.

Assessment 4Yes10%All offerings

Computational assessment

Final Examination - Assurance TaskYes30%All offerings

Online proctored examination. Students must pass the Final Examination and also pass the sum of the Final Examination and Assessment 3 in aggregate in order to pass the unit.

QuizNo10%All offerings

5 Quizzes at 2% each

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.

Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn and TensorFlow

ISBN: 9781098125974

Geron, A., O'Reilly 3rd ed. 2022

Text refers to: All offerings

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We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*

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