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Abstract: The modern business world increasingly requires a higher level of data science expertise as well as abilities in problem solving and data analytics. Data science is a broad and fast-moving field of methods, processes, algorithms and systems to extract insights from data. The University of Winchester has followed the guidance of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) and worked in partnership with a number of international, national and regional employers in the design and development of its Data Scientist (integrated degree) programme, which leads to a Bachelor's degree in Data Science. This degree apprenticeship supports students in gaining the knowledge and skills that are in demand by employers today and into the future, where working in multi-disciplinary teams alongside domain experts will often be the norm. IfATE specifies an End-point Assessment (EPA) plan to enable the apprenticeship to be completed in accordance with its Data Scientist degree apprenticeship standard. This paper considers professional practice and competence in data science and links the processes used in completing the EPA with domain-based knowledge and expertise. It reviews representative solution methodologies before demonstrating the applicability of a data-driven research methodology to discover insights and achieve organisational goals.
Keywords: Data science degree apprenticeship, Professional practice, Knowledge and skills, Modelling and evaluation, Research methodology
1. Introduction
Data science is an interdisciplinary subject that integrates (e.g.) data analytics, computer science, software engineering, project management and research methodology to develop intelligence with respect to real-world problems (Cao 2017). The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) in the UK works with employers to develop, approve, review and revise apprenticeships and technical qualifications - one such apprenticeship being the Data Scientist (integrated degree). In partnership with a number of international, national and regional employers, a Data Science degree apprenticeship was designed at the University of Winchester to support companies/organisations in attracting data scientists and retaining their top digital talent. This programme provides apprentices with the opportunity to develop their knowledge, understanding, technical skills and indeed confidence to operate successfully in a globalised work environment.
IfATE has specified the areas of Knowledge data scientists must understand, the Skills they are able to deliver and the Behaviours they should demonstrate (KSBs). On the other hand, the EU-funded EDISON (Education for Data...