MRes Experimental Psychology with Data Science / Course details

Year of entry: 2025

Course unit details:
Scientific Programming, Computational Tools and Machine Learning

Course unit fact file
Unit code PCHN63162
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The topics covered will include:

  • Using Conda to create reproducible Python environments.
  • Programming in Python using Jupyter Notebooks.
  • Data analysis using the NumPy, pandas (and related) Python libraries.
  • How to use git and GitHub for version control and collaborative working.
  • Making your analyses reproducible using Docker.
  • Understanding the principles of statistical/machine learning.
  • Classification and resampling methods.
  • Model selection and regularization.
  • Unsupervised statistical learning.  

Aims

  • To equip students with a range of advanced computational and analytical techniques.
  • To equip students with the confidence and skills necessary to apply the methods to datasets using Python.
  • To provide sufficient understanding for sophisticated statistical decision making and interpretation of results.
  • To contextualise statistical analysis within the principles of reproducibility and Open Research.

Learning outcomes

Having attended the unit, students will be able to:

  • Conduct data analyses in Python.
  • Demonstrate their knowledge and skills required for open and reproducible science.
  • Demonstrate their ability to understand the principles of statistical/machine learning.
  • Demonstrate their ability to apply statistical learning methods to different datasets. 

Teaching and learning methods

The course will be taught through a combination of synchronous lectures and lab sessions, alongside online asynchronous teaching materials. Additional lab sessions and lab support will be available for students, if needed. Teaching will be complemented by the availability of notes, slides and recommended reading.  

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 50%
Set exercise 50%

Continuous assessment. Two assignments. Each topic will be formally assessed by a written assignment, worth 50% of the marks for this module

One assessment will be on programming and data analysis using Python and the other assessment will be on applying statistical learning techniques to existing data 

Recommended reading

Appropriate online resources will be made available alongside each lecture.

Study hours

Independent study hours
Independent study 150

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Martyn Mcfarquhar Unit coordinator

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