/Skills Bootcamp in Data Science and Cloud Systems - July 2023
Provided by: Birmingham City University
Course Area: West Midlands, All areas
Course Type: Short Course
Start date: 31/07/2023
End date: 16/11/2023
Course length: 16 weeks
Subjects: Artificial intelligence, Cloud computing, Cloud engineering, Data analytics, Data engineering, Data science, Machine learning, Software development, Software Engineering, Visualisation
Price: Free
Delivery Method: Blended
Skills Bootcamp overview
The Data Science and Cloud Systems bootcamp will run for 16 weeks with 8 weeks of online and 8 weeks of on-campus training. The course will end with an examination for a Microsoft Azure certification which will be a valuable addition to your CV.
The course will start with an introduction to Cloud Systems, working with the Azure Cloud platform from first principles. We will then move on to Data Analytics elements focussing on data management, cleaning, wrangling and presentation. The on-campus sessions will teach learners how to apply machine learning and cutting-edge AI modules
Who is this course for
We specialise in upskilling learners from a range of backgrounds at BCU. This course is aimed at those who do not have a strong background in computing, but who want to learn new technical skills. Most importantly we want you to be excited about working with data and AI and eager to join this evolving field. If you have a computing background then you’re absolutely welcome, we’ll be pushing you in different ways.
Eligibility
Essential learner requirements:
- GCSE English language and mathematics at grade C/4 or above.
- Equivalent level 2 or above qualifications can be accepted.
- Must have been achieved at the point of enrolment
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Have been a UK or EEA resident for 3 years (from start date of the Skills Bootcamp)
- Be either: employed, self-employed, career-changes, returners, re-deployed, or recently unemployed (recently unemployed must be within the last 12 months, but circumstances can be discussed with Skills Bootcamp provider).
What will I learn
There are a range of Data skills that will be covered over the 16 week course which follow the traditional data science pipeline. These skills frame the course content which learners will be able to replicate in industry on various related projects. The skills include:
- Ability to manage, store, manipulate and clean datasets for analytics projects
- Ability to implement data science principles to analyse and report findings for simple datasets
- Ability to implement AI models to create a conversational AI system in Microsoft Azure
- Ability to implement an image recognition AI system in Microsoft Azure
Every week will include an individual or group project, motivated by industry, which targets a core data or AI area. This will end with a group or individual presentation at the end of the week to demonstrate work, discuss findings and to build up the learner’s portfolio to support employability.
Online live classroom delivery is weekly Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 pm to 7 pm for 16 weeks.
Visit this courseCreating pathways to employment
How has the Skills Bootcamp been designed/created with employer input?
The course team are arranging meetings with employers and content providers, including Microsoft as the primary partner, to undergo a curriculum co-design process and to map core skills requirements. These will shape the teaching framework whilst also providing guest teaching sessions, datasets and industrial challenges for the weekly project focal points.
How are employers involved in the delivery of this Skills Bootcamp?
Employer partners shape the teaching framework whilst also actively involved in providing industry talks and challenges over the planned teaching.
Employer involvement in course delivery will incorporate aspects of both technical support and also employability skills. The technical aspects will be taught involving both Data Science project case studies; where learners will benefit from the experiences of professionals; and data challenges; where learners will work in teams and be provided an industrial-themed challenge to work on over a week with the view to present their findings back to the employers.
The learners will also benefit from industrial partners through engaging in mock interviews, CV and professional development advice; identifying digital badging opportunities to create a foundation for a successful data science career; and through career planning exercises.
What are the routes to employment following successful completion?
The learners will leave the bootcamp with a core understanding of AI and cloud principles and the skills required to effect a data science project which adds value to an organisation. These skills will put learners in a strong position for employment with the benefit of having a rounded portfolio to demonstrate at interview based on the weekly projects undertaken. Learners will have access to the BCU employability network and partner organisations for job applications; where the employability and careers teams will ensure the learners are CV- and interview-ready. Specific roles targeted will include Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Data Scientist (entry level), Machine Learning Engineer.