DASC8088 Data Science Practicum (6 credits, starting from the Summer Semester of 2024-25)

This course is applicable to students of Master of Data Science Programme admitted in the academic year 2024-25 and thereafter. To be eligible, students should be undertaking a data-science-related practicum with no less than 160 hours (lunch hour excluded) in at least 20 working days spent in a paid or unpaid position. Part-time students in their first year are not eligible for this course.

 Enrolment Procedures

1. Students should first have secured a job themselves or via the Department's Internship/Job Online-application System. Part-time students are allowed to enroll in the course with their own job if the job/project nature is related to Data Science.
2. Submit a completed course registration form with a copy of employment contract or any other evidence of employment for the course coordinator's consideration. Part-time students using their current position for enrolment must provide written consent from the employer with details of the tasks/project allocated for the course*. Students who use a newly found position for the course are advised to apply for this course once the job is secured, as post-applications are normally not allowed.
3. Students will be notified by email of the registration result afterwards and, if applicable, the exact timeline of work submission.

Please note that full-time students could only enroll in the course starting from the Summer Semester of the first year of study, while part-time students could only enroll in the course starting from the Summer Semester of their second year study.

Students will NOT be allowed to withdraw the enrolment, if successful, of this course under normal circumstances.

* Example: An Algorithm Engineer describes in the written consent and the registration form that he/she would analyse data for a particular team/project, and develop mathematical models to solve computational problems from Jun-Oct 2025 around 20 hours per week. The written consent also includes a statement indicating the employer's agreement to supervise the student on the tasks concerned. The student obtains the employer' endorsement of the written consent and submits the signed consent with the registration form.

 Assessment

Upon completion of the practicum, the student is required to submit a written report and to give an oral presentation on his/her practicum experience. Assessment of this course is on a Pass or Fail or Distinction basis with the following three criteria:

• Employer's Evaluation
• Written Report summarising the work and any reflection on the practicum experience (Guidelines)
• 20-minute Oral Presentation on the practicum experience (plus 5-10 minutes Q&A)

NB Students are encouraged to present from memory rather than relying heavily on notes, as excessive reliance on them may result in a deduction of marks for your presentation.

Students should complete the above mentioned according to the timeline below. Late submissions may not be accepted.

 Tentative Timeline of Work Submission

Please note that this is a tentative timeline and may be subject to changes.

Note 1: The end date of the Summer Semester practicum should not be later than July 19, 2025. Otherwise, registration for enrolment in this course will not be accepted.

Note 2: The end date of this practicum period should not be later than November 15, 2025. Otherwise, registration for enrolment in this course will not be accepted.

 Additional Information and Reminder

Any changes of the practicum details, including practicum period and job nature (subsequent to successful registration for enrolment in DASC8088), may render the registration invalid or may even lead to a "Fail" grade in the course. Students should immediately inform the Department of any changes for course coordinator's consent.

Students who have successfully registered for the course are also reminded to collect information during the practicum, if necessary, for completing certain required work/forms, e.g. Written Report.

Please be reminded that the ultimate responsibility of ensuring the course requirements as well as graduation requirements fulfilled should rest with students.

 Forms for Download

Please note that different forms may have different requirements, e.g. submission method, etc. Please complete and submit the forms according to the instructions as prescribed in each individual form.

• Registration Form
• Employer's Evaluation Form
• Written Report Form (Guidelines)

 For Enquiry