Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Handbook 2026-2027

Module COMP42015: Learning from Data using AI

Department: Computer Science

COMP42015: Learning from Data using AI

Type Level Credits Availability Module Cap Location
Tied 4 15 Available in 2026/2027 None. Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations

  • None

Aims

  • To equip students with conceptual and practical tools to support machine learning

Content

  • Data exploration e.g. missing value treatment, outlier detection, feature engineering
  • Machine learning including artificial neural networks
  • Deep learning

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • By the end of this module, students should have:
  • a critical appreciation of the importance of preparing data for machine learning
  • an advanced understanding of modern approaches to machine learning
Subject-specific Skills
  • By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • select and implement appropriate methods for preparing a data set for machine learning
  • train a machine learning classification application based on real data
  • use deep learning architectures to enhance machine learning
Key Skills
  • Effective written communication
  • Oral presentation
  • Planning, organising and time-management
  • Problem solving and analysis
  • Team working

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Learning outcomes are met through classroom-based workshops, supported by online resources. The workshops consist of a combination of taught input, group work, case studies, discussion and computing labs. Online resources provide preparatory material for the workshops — typically consisting of directed reading and video content.
  • The summative assessments are an individual written assignment and a group presentation based on group work analysis of a real data set. These are designed to test students’ skills in problem identification, their theoretical understanding, and their ability to analyse the situation in order to categorise the potential solutions.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 9 1 per week 2 hours 18 Yes
Lectures 1 3 hours 3 Yes
Workshops 4 1 per week 2 hours 8 Yes
Independent Study 121
Total 150

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Coursework 100% Report 1500 words maximum 50%
Presentation 10 minutes 50%

Formative Assessment

The formative assessment consists of classroom-based exercises involving individual and group analyses and presentations on specific business situations/problems relevant to the learning outcomes of the module. Oral and written feedback will be given on a group and/or individual basis as appropriate.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.