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Data Science

Code: 106946
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Management of Smart and Sustainable Cities OB 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
Xavier Miquel Armengol Fontova
Email :
xaviermiquel.armengol@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

To have completed the first-year subjects of Computer Science (Informàtica), Mathematics, Internet applications programming, and the second year subject of Databases.

Objectives

This subject must allow the student to discover the existing technologies and the different ways for managing and analysing the data generated in the city on a daily basis.

Students will learn techniques for visualization, analysis and modelling of data that will allow them to generate new knowledge and intuitions from the city data.

Learning outcomes

  • CM19 (Propose data processing solutions that take into account data privacy and security, as well as that their use respects the ethical values of an egalitarian and democratic society.) Propose data processing solutions that take into account data privacy and security, as well as that their use respects the ethical values of an egalitarian and democratic society.
  • KM25 (Recognise the problems of information transmission and storage in the context of smart and sustainable cities.) Recognise the problems of information transmission and storage in the context of smart and sustainable cities.
  • KM26 (Identify and use different sources, models and databases of information generated by urban activity, as well as their operating principles, access policies and standards.) Identify and use different sources, models and databases of information generated by urban activity, as well as their operating principles, access policies and standards.
  • SM23 (Design and develop IT solutions that allow citizens distributed access to management platforms and integrated services.) Design and develop IT solutions that allow citizens distributed access to management platforms and integrated services.

Contents

Block 1: Fundamentals of Data Science

  • Introduction, data and use cases, statistical basics.
  • Linear algebra for data science.
  • Probabilities and Bayesian inference.


Block 2: Supervised Learning and Evaluation

  • Introduction to pattern recognition and linear regression.
  • Multiple regression, polynomial regression, and normalization.
  • Logistic regression (Classifiers).
  • Regularization and bias-variance decomposition.
  • Nearest neighbors algorithm (K-NN).
  • Evaluation metrics (Precision vs. Recall) and recommender systems.


Block 3: Unsupervised Learning

  • Principal Component Analysis (PCA).
  • Clustering, K-Means algorithm, and EM (Expectation-Maximization) algorithm.


Block 4: Advanced Models

  • Neural Networks.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Further reading and study of the material 40 1.6
Project sessions 12 0.48
Theory classes 26 1.04
Tutoring 5 0.2
Dedication to resolve exercises 12 0.48
Work on practicals (projects) 37 1.48
Exercise sessions 12 0.48

Data science is defined by the types of problems that it aims to solve; therefore, it will be that typology of problems that will direct the organization of all the contents.


There will be three types of activities: theory classes, solving practical exercises individually (problems) and developing projects in small teams.


1. Theory classes: The objective of these sessions is for the teacher to explain the theoretical background of the subject. For each one of the topics studied, the theory and mathematical formulation is explained, as well as the corresponding algorithmic solutions.


2. Laboratory sessions: Laboratory sessions aim to facilitate interaction and to reinforce the comprehension of the topics seen in the theory classes. During laboratory sessions we will tackle two types of activities: solving practical exercises and performing team-project follow ups and presentations.


2.1 Problems: A weekly set of problems to work through will be used, that require the implementation of methods seen in the theory classes. Work on the problems will be initiated in class and should be completed by each student individually at home. Students will be required to make a weekly submission of their work, that will comprise the problems portfolio.


2.2 Projects: Project sessions comprise activities related to the realization of two short projects during the semester. Students will work collaboratively on these projects in small teams. During the project sessions (1) the teacher will present and discuss the projects and possible approaches, and (2) the teams will present their final results to the class. The teams will have to design and implement a solution, manage the distribution and organization of the work to be carried out, and present final results to the teacher.


The above activities will be complemented by a system of tutoring and consultations outside class hours.


All the information of the subject and the related documents that the students need will be available at the virtual campus.


The transversal competence T01 is addressed through teamwork and collaboration during the development of the projects. The evaluation of the projects includes an oral presentation of each team, during which the students will have to present their work and explain the organization of the team.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Exams 40 5 0.2 CM19, KM25, KM26
Problems Presentations + Active Class Participation 20 0 0 CM19, KM25, KM26, SM23
Project deliverables 10 0 0 CM19, KM25, KM26, SM23
Exercises deliverables 10 0 0 CM19, KM25, KM26, SM23
Project presentations 20 1 0.04 CM19, KM25, KM26, SM23

To evaluate the student's learning level, a formula is established that combines knowledge acquisition, problem-solving skills, and teamwork abilities, as well as the presentation of the obtained results.


Final Grade

The final grade is calculated as a weighted average as follows and in accordance with the different activities carried out:

Final Grade = 0.4 * Theory Grade + 0.3 * Problems Grade + 0.3 * Projects Grade

This formula will be applied as long as the theory grade and the practical grade are equal to or greater than 5. There is no restriction on the problems grade. If the formula calculation results in >= 5, but the minimum required in any of the evaluation activities is not reached, then the grade recorded on the transcript will be 4.5.


Theory Grade

The theory grade aims to assess the student's individual capacities regarding the theoretical content of the subject; this is done continuously throughout the course with two midterm exams:

Theory Grade = 0.5 * Exam 1 Grade + 0.5 * Exam 2 Grade

Exam 1 is held halfway through the semester and serves to eliminate part of the material if passed. Exam 2 is held at the end of the semester and serves to eliminate part of the material if passed.

These exams aim to provide an individualized assessment of each student's ability to solve problems using the techniques explained in class, as well as to evaluate the level of conceptualization the student has achieved regarding the techniques covered. To obtain a theory grade, the grades of exams 1 and 2 must be greater than 4.

Make-up Exam: In the event that the theory grade does not reach the appropriate level to pass the theory part, students may take a make-up exam, designed to recover the unpassed portion of the continuous assessment.


Problems Grade

The problems section aims to ensure that the student continuously practices the course content and becomes directly familiar with the application of theory. As evidence of this work, the submission of a portfolio where the completed problems will be saved is required. Problems Grade = 0.33 * Problems Portfolio + 0.33 * Class Attendance and Participation + 0.33 * Oral Defense of a problem during class

To obtain a problems grade, more than 50% of the problems assigned during the semester must be submitted. Otherwise, the problems grade will be 0.


Projects Grade

The projects part of the subject requires students to work in teams and design a comprehensive solution to the defined challenge. Additionally, students must demonstrate their teamwork skills and present the results.

Each of the two projects is evaluated through its deliverable and an oral presentation that students will give in class, both as a group and individually. Student participation in all three activities (developing the deliverable, group presentation, and individual defense) is necessary to obtain a project grade.

The grade is calculated as follows:

Project X Grade = 0.33 * Deliverables Grade + 0.33 * Presentation Grade + 0.33 * Individual Defense

If the formula calculation results in >= 5, but the student has not participated in one of the activities (deliverable, group presentation, or individual defense), then the corresponding project grade will be 4.5. Projects Grade = 0.5 * Project 1 Grade + 0.5 * Project 2 Grade

To obtain a projects grade, the grades of both projects must be greater than 4. If one of the projects is not passed, recovery of the failed project will be permitted, capped at a maximum grade of 7/10.


Important Notes

In this subject, unless otherwise indicated for specific activities, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the workflow. In all cases, the final result must always reflect a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how they influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. A lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.

Without prejudice to other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, and in accordance with current academic regulations, the commission of irregular activities by the student (e.g., plagiarizing, copying, allowing others to copy, etc.) will result in a zero (0) for the corresponding activity. Evaluation activities graded in this manner and through this procedure will not be eligible for recovery.

If no problems are submitted, no project presentation sessions in laboratory practices are attended, and no exams are taken, the corresponding grade will be "Not Evaluable" (No Avaluable). In any other case, a "Not Attended" (No Presentat) will count as a 0 for the calculation of the weighted average.

From the second enrollment onwards, the validation of the problems and/or projects grade will be permitted, provided these were passed with a grade equal to or greater than 6.

To obtain "Honors" (Matrícula d'Honor), the final grade must be equal to or greater than 9 points. Taking into account the limit allowed by the number of students enrolled in the course, it will be awarded to the student with the highest final grade. In case of a tie, the results of the midterm exams will be taken into account.

For those students who cannot attend the in-person exams in the cases described by the center's academic regulations, exist a “request for rescheduling of assessment activities” protocol. The student must contact the teaching staff, providing the corresponding official justification within the established deadlines.

This subject does not provide for the single assessment system.

Bibliography

  • Data Science from Scratch: First Principles with Python, Joel Grus, O'Reilly Media, 2015, 1st Ed.
  • Python Data Science Handbook, Jake VanderPlas, O’Reilly Media, 2016, 1st Ed.
  • Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning, Christopher Bishop, Springer, 2011
  • Model-Based Machine Learning, J. Winn, C. Bishop, early access: http://mbmlbook.com/
  • Computational and Inferential Thinking: The Foundations of Data Science, Ani Adhikari and John DeNero, online: https://ds8.gitbooks.io/textbook/content/
  • Designing Machine Learning Systems: An Iterative Process for Production-Ready Applications, Chip Huyen, O'Reilly Media, 2022
  • Machine Learning Design Patterns: Solutions to Common Challenges in Data Preparation, Model Building, and MLOps, Valliappa Lakshmanan, 2020



Software

For the problems and projects of the course we will use Python, and the Python: libraries NumPy, MatPlotLib, SciKit Learn, Pandas

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 61 Catalan first semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 611 Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 611 Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 612 Spanish first semester afternoon