Higher Diploma in Data-Analytics

whatever76

hi there,

Just wondering about this course ? Not sure if this is first year of this course - if not anyone any info on it and if its a good course ?

Scrappychimow

whatever76 wrote: »

hi there,

Just wondering about this course ? Not sure if this is first year of this course - if not anyone any info on it and if its a good course ?

Anyone know what the Higher Diploma in Data Analytics is like in NCI compared to the CPD Diploma in Data Analysis in DIT? Which course is better or more respected?

Ken L

whatever76 wrote: »

hi there,

Just wondering about this course ? Not sure if this is first year of this course - if not anyone any info on it and if its a good course ?

I understand this is a conversion course. If you have a degree in another field and want to get into this area, then you do this course. It probably runs for one year, sept - may, with possibly work placements.

I am looking at doing a post graduate course in this area and have a logic test. Any idea what that might intail??

Ken

whatever76

look up logic tests online and you will get the idea - usual questions like spotting a sequence of letters , X cost Y - how many you get for z if you buy 10 - that kinda stuff. Some really good practice logic tests on line

Scrappychimow

Hi, has anyone done this?

Ken L

I am starting the course shortly.
looks very comprehensive.
There is an 80% success rate of people who finished the course going straight into work.

Scrappychimow

Ken L wrote: »

I am starting the course shortly.
looks very comprehensive.
There is an 80% success rate of people who finished the course going straight into work.

Sounds good, i hope to get a place on this course myself.

Ken L

The places are been handed out now. You would want to be very quick to get a place.
They were running 1 course and there was a big waiting list. But now they are doing 2, so try get in asap.

Scrappychimow

Hi i applied already just waiting to hear of a free place. Do have a timetable?

Ken L

To EunanMac:
It is data analytic s. It covers how data can be used by business. It is not very language orientated but it does involve SQL and Python. It mainly used different applications to mine, sort, etc data and then presenting it. algorithms are also covered.
Here is a link for the syllabus: courses.ncirl.ie/index.cfm/page/course/courseId/1841

Scrappychimow:
I am not sure of exact timetable (when it starts) but it cand be too much longer, possibly 2 weeks. I'll be finding that out tomorrow or tuesday, I'll post it then.
Have you been for a logic test of interview?
The evening courses for the first course is tuesday, thursday 6pm - 10pm and every saturday 10am - 5pm.
The second is a little different, tuesday, thursday and friday 6pm - 10pm and every 3rd saturday 10am - 5pm.

Hope this helps both of you.
Ken

Scrappychimow

Ken L wrote: »

To EunanMac:
It is data analytic s. It covers how data can be used by business. It is not very language orientated but it does involve SQL and Python. It mainly used different applications to mine, sort, etc data and then presenting it. algorithms are also covered.
Here is a link for the syllabus: courses.ncirl.ie/index.cfm/page/course/courseId/1841

Scrappychimow:
I am not sure of exact timetable (when it starts) but it cand be too much longer, possibly 2 weeks. I'll be finding that out tomorrow or tuesday, I'll post it then.
Have you been for a logic test of interview?
The evening courses for the first course is tuesday, thursday 6pm - 10pm and every saturday 10am - 5pm.
The second is a little different, tuesday, thursday and friday 6pm - 10pm and every 3rd saturday 10am - 5pm.

Hope this helps both of you.
Ken

Hi, i was told that i was provisionally accepted for the course but i had to wait for someone to drop out so i can get a place. I don't think i need an interview as i have a technical/ semi numerate degree. Thanks

Ken L

You probably wouldn't.
lol you can give me a hand then if i get stuck..

Scrappychimow

Ken L wrote: »

You probably wouldn't.
lol you can give me a hand then if i get stuck..

I should hear from NCI next week so, hope to see you there

Ken L

best of luck.
Take care

doc11

Ken L wrote: »

I am starting the course shortly.
looks very comprehensive.
There is an 80% success rate of people who finished the course going straight into work.

Work or internships, because most courses would be very lucky to have a 80% placement rate for free work experience(intern). looking on linkedin it seems most are interns or looking for work?

Ken L

The 80% figure I mentioned came from the head of the course when I had a meeting with him. And I agree, the 80% seems to be very high.
From what I know, There is a work-placement during the course to build in some practical experience. Also, these courses are produced as a result of companies identifying the lack of qualifies people.
Does there seem to be a very high number of graduates from the course on Linkedin that are still unemployed? or are they people doing the course that are looking for positions for their work placement?

Ken

Scrappychimow

Got a place. Any idea of some youtube videos or websites that give a beginners taste of whats in store?:cool:

Ken L

ww.courses.ncirl.ie/index.cfm/page/course/courseId/1841

I cant put a full link up as I am new user, but this should get you to the course description (even if you have to put it in a search).
On this if you click into any of the sections and scroll down, they list off the resources and give lists of videos (some youtube) that they will be using.
I have a registration on the 20th and the start of course proper is the 22nd.

Scrappychimow

Ken L wrote: »

ww.courses.ncirl.ie/index.cfm/page/course/courseId/1841

I cant put a full link up as I am new user, but this should get you to the course description (even if you have to put it in a search).
On this if you click into any of the sections and scroll down, they list off the resources and give lists of videos (some youtube) that they will be using.
I have a registration on the 20th and the start of course proper is the 22nd.

cheers

john__long

Hey,

I know it's an older thread, but just wondering how some of the posters here were finding the course? I'm considering doing it this September and am keen to hear more about it! Would love some feedback from students within the course! Feel free to PM me if you want!

I already work in IT, and know my way around SQL so I'm not worried about that side of it. More the Python/R and mathematics elements! Thanks!

John

Ken L

john__long wrote: »

Hey,

I know it's an older thread, but just wondering how some of the posters here were finding the course? I'm considering doing it this September and am keen to hear more about it! Would love some feedback from students within the course! Feel free to PM me if you want!

I already work in IT, and know my way around SQL so I'm not worried about that side of it. More the Python/R and mathematics elements! Thanks!

John

Hi John,
I'm surprised that I still get e-mail notifications about this thread.
The course is fairly intense in that the assignments come thick and fast. I hear that some colleges are doing this course over a 2 year period.
Re: Python/R. While they may be hard to get your head around (part due to the teaching level) if you don't have any programming experience, I would advise practising on Python (open source) rather than relying on theory alone. If you know SQL to a good standard it would help.
R is a nice language and using R-studio (open source) is pretty nifty when you get into it. R can be a mixture of a language and stats in the course, so you would need to be up to date on both.
Stats is to a level of multiple regression and factorial ANOVA. The course will go through the statistics but if you have a good grasp of stats it would definitely help.
Overall, I think it is a good course but it is a bit of a slog for the year.
Hope this helps.

Ken

john__long

Thanks so much for the reply! I'll get practicing on the Python! I'm familiar with the basics of Ruby and I hear they're similar!

djunmark

This evening course is good which runs for approx 12 months and it is very intense, so if you have desire to do it, go ahead.

The assignments come tick and fast, so a lot of time needs to be invested.

Fant11

djunmark wrote: »

This evening course is good which runs for approx 12 months and it is very intense, so if you have desire to do it, go ahead.

The assignments come tick and fast, so a lot of time needs to be invested.

Thanks for this info. Just wondering, what prior knowledge/level of ability in maths is needed do you think? I’m starting this course in Jan. Also, did you use any online resources to prepare before starting this course? Thanks.

djunmark

Fant11 wrote: »

Thanks for this info. Just wondering, what prior knowledge/level of ability in maths is needed do you think? I’m starting this course in Jan. Also, did you use any online resources to prepare before starting this course? Thanks.

Hi, not a lot prior technical knowledge is required, however if you want to find it easier, maybe try some online courses relating to machine learning, SQL . E.g Coursera, but no essential since you will be learning this anyway. However, it could make it easier for you to kick off.

Install packages prior starting like R Studio, MySql Workbench, SPSS, Python/ Anaconda etc and practise if you wish. Also this will also save you some time for assignments, rather than focusing on installing packages, when assignments are coming tick and fast. If the software is paid, you will receive a subscription code provided by the college when you start.

Look at statistical videos of how to conduct tests like Anova, Chi Square, Regression, Z Score etc.

"How to" videos by Dr Eugene O Loughlin are very good which you can find on Youtube.

I hope it helps

Thanks

Fant11

djunmark wrote: »

Hi, not a lot prior technical knowledge is required, however if you want to find it easier, maybe try some online courses relating to machine learning, SQL . E.g Coursera, but no essential since you will be learning this anyway. However, it could make it easier for you to kick off.

Install packages prior starting like R Studio, MySql Workbench, SPSS, Python/ Anaconda etc and practise if you wish. Also this will also save you some time for assignments, rather than focusing on installing packages, when assignments are coming tick and fast. If the software is paid, you will receive a subscription code provided by the college when you start.

Look at statistical videos of how to conduct tests like Anova, Chi Square, Regression, Z Score etc.

"How to" videos by Dr Eugene O Loughlin are very good which you can find on Youtube.

I hope it helps

Thanks

Great info. Thanks so much.

slugger_otoole

djunmark gave some good advice before, I would also recommend taking the Datacamp beginners and intermediate courses in R and Python if you have time before you start (or some similar interactive online courses), particularly if you don't have prior coding experience. SQL too I guess if you had time.

Having the basics of those before starting will help a lot. The math side of the course isn't very difficult so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Black Pearl

Seems like an old enough thread but hopefully you guys can help. Ive just been accepted for this course Higher Diploma in Data Analytics in NCI. I have no coding knowledge or background, but I am up for the challenge, any advice on how to get the basics of Python, R or SQL down? Is there any watchable youtube videos, clear blogs or even books you would recommend?
Do the lecturers hand physical notes out in class or is in all electronic?
Wish I knew someone who has already done this course so I could read over the first couple of weeks of notes they get.

slugger_otoole

Black Pearl wrote: »

Seems like an old enough thread but hopefully you guys can help. Ive just been accepted for this course Higher Diploma in Data Analytics in NCI. I have no coding knowledge or background, but I am up for the challenge, any advice on how to get the basics of Python, R or SQL down? Is there any watchable youtube videos, clear blogs or even books you would recommend?
Do the lecturers hand physical notes out in class or is in all electronic?
Wish I knew someone who has already done this course so I could read over the first couple of weeks of notes they get.

Happy to send you the notes for the first few lectures from this year if you like, although they do change the course slightly each year. I believe there'll be more of a focus on R now and less on Python. I'd say stats and SQL will stay the same

Black Pearl

slugger_otoole wrote: »

Happy to send you the notes for the first few lectures from this year if you like, although they do change the course slightly each year. I believe there'll be more of a focus on R now and less on Python. I'd say stats and SQL will stay the same

Thank would be fantastic. Yeah i thought they may vary from year to year. But it just to have a read because I am not in the advanced category and would like to read up and practice if possible before the course starts. is it possible to PM them to me? you absolute star :cool:;)

slugger_otoole

No problem will do

pxdf9i5cmoavkz

slugger_otoole wrote: »

Happy to send you the notes for the first few lectures from this year if you like

A fellow colleague from the course. Hello there.

How goes your year end project?

Black Pearl wrote: »

Seems like an old enough thread but hopefully you guys can help. Ive just been accepted for this course Higher Diploma in Data Analytics in NCI. I have no coding knowledge or background, but I am up for the challenge, any advice on how to get the basics of Python, R or SQL down? Is there any watchable youtube videos, clear blogs or even books you would recommend?

The SQL side of the course is extremely basic. Look for online course that is free that covers "select, update, delete, insert" and joins. These are the mainstays of what the course will cover.

For Python and R; I would focus again on any free course that shows you the basics of receiving input from the command line, reading and writing csv files and then general string manipulation. This will give you a good head start till you reach the more intermediate stuff.

Do not skip straight to the intermediate stuff as you'll only hamstring yourself. Do plenty of exercises that require you to build loops, reading and writing to files. Do this till you're comfortable with the process and can code it out of your head without looking at source material.

Black Pearl wrote: »

Do the lecturers hand physical notes out in class or is in all electronic?

All electronic.

slugger_otoole

Logan Brave Watchtower wrote: »

A fellow colleague from the course. Hello there.

How goes your year end project?

Struggling along with it as we speak

Took some holidays this term so i'm a bit behind, should be finished on time though. I found motivation harder to come by this term than in previous ones!

How about you?

pxdf9i5cmoavkz

slugger_otoole wrote: »

Struggling along with it as we speak

Took some holidays this term so i'm a bit behind, should be finished on time though. I found motivation harder to come by this term than in previous ones!

How about you?

Haha. I'm sure your motivation will pick up the closer the date comes to December 7. I feel the same as you too, this year has been somewhat rough especially with that no break between Semester 1 and Semester 2. Thanks Snowmageddon! :mad:

My project is progressing well. The main part is done and the report is moving along well enough.

We get to select our presentation time slots this coming Monday. No idea what to do for the presentation though. Just read the report, Enda! It says everything.

slugger_otoole

Logan Brave Watchtower wrote: »

My project is progressing well. The main part is done and the report is moving along well enough.

In that case you're way ahead of me!

Logan Brave Watchtower wrote: »

We get to select our presentation time slots this coming Monday. No idea what to do for the presentation though. Just read the report, Enda! It says everything.

I think the presentation will be easy enough, and it's worth such a tiny percentage of the project anyway. That's the least of my worries right now!

GarIT

slugger_otoole wrote: »

Happy to send you the notes for the first few lectures from this year if you like

Just be aware that you do not have permission to share the lecture notes. The college holds the rights to the notes sharing them can be considered piracy. You can be kicked off the course, or have your degree revoked if you are caught sharing the lecturers notes.

slugger_otoole

GarIT wrote: »

Just be aware that you do not have permission to share the lecture notes. The college holds the rights to the notes sharing them can be considered piracy. You can be kicked off the course, or have your degree revoked if you are caught sharing the lecturers notes.

Thanks for the heads up

pxdf9i5cmoavkz

Black Pearl wrote: »

Seems like an old enough thread but hopefully you guys can help. Ive just been accepted for this course Higher Diploma in Data Analytics in NCI. I have no coding knowledge or background, but I am up for the challenge, any advice on how to get the basics of Python, R or SQL down? Is there any watchable youtube videos, clear blogs or even books you would recommend?
Do the lecturers hand physical notes out in class or is in all electronic?
Wish I knew someone who has already done this course so I could read over the first couple of weeks of notes they get.

Remembered about this now.

https://www.udemy.com/the-data-science-course-complete-data-science-bootcamp/

This course from Udemy is remarkably close to what you will learn during the course. Take a look, I'm sure you'll find it useful.

Black Pearl

Logan Brave Watchtower wrote: »

Remembered about this now.

https://www.udemy.com/the-data-science-course-complete-data-science-bootcamp/

This course from Udemy is remarkably close to what you will learn during the course. Take a look, I'm sure you'll find it useful.

Thanks so much!

Black Pearl

Just wondering if any of you guys applied to the course had to fill out an RPEL form? My god its ridiculously long!

Black Pearl

hey , has anyone finished the course in NCI and happen to have any used books for sale?

Nelbert

Black Pearl wrote: »

hey , has anyone finished the course in NCI and happen to have any used books for sale?

The library has a good stock of the ones you’ll need. I’m heading in to the thesis part of the masters now and never had an issue apart from the statistics book but if you are quick off the mark you’ll get it.
I ended up buying the statistics book (not sure if you’ll need the same for the higher diploma).
Do you have a list yet?

Black Pearl

Nelbert wrote: »

The library has a good stock of the ones you’ll need. I’m heading in to the thesis part of the masters now and never had an issue apart from the statistics book but if you are quick off the mark you’ll get it.
I ended up buying the statistics book (not sure if you’ll need the same for the higher diploma).
Do you have a list yet?

Ah thanks very much. Yeah its Statistics by James T. McClave. wouldnt mind buying it and I need the R Cookbook too. That is all I think so far. Thank you for the reply

Nelbert

Black Pearl wrote: »

Ah thanks very much. Yeah its Statistics by James T. McClave. wouldnt mind buying it and I need the R Cookbook too. That is all I think so far. Thank you for the reply

Ok, I’ve a different stats book so no use to you there.

I’d highly recommend datacamp.com for learning R.
If you do the programming, analyst and scientist skill / career tracks you’ll have a huge head start (and it’s learn by doing type of thing).

I found the Advanced Data Mining module we did a hell of a lot easier as a result of this.
I also did the Harvard professional certificate modules on edX.org
The first 4 modules are actually delivered via datacamp. A lot of the learning overlaps but you reinforce it really well by solving all the different problems.

GarIT

Habata wrote: »

I'm doing the post grad version of this course and I think it's a joke and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The standard is low, the teaching resources limited, there's useless and superfluous modules. I take it that Springboard is just an easy way to get government cash and tick a few boxes. I feel like I've learned little. Highly unimpressed with the NCI in general.

I got kicked out of a group project a week before it was due because my teammate decided to pay someone to do it for her and don't want me to be in her group so submitted the project alone. Lecturer and college ignored my emails and didn't give a ****. I have written proof of plagerism by someone they awarded a master's to and all they said is "so?"

NCI is a complete joke, money grabbing cnuts.

otterj

Those of you who have done the one year course, how tough was it ?
How do-able is it with a full time job?

also would a i3 4gb ram laptop suffice for this course?

slugger_otoole

otterj wrote: »

Those of you who have done the one year course, how tough was it ?
How do-able is it with a full time job?

also would a i3 4gb ram laptop suffice for this course?

It's reasonably doable but full on. 3 nights a week of f2f lectures is hard. The first semester is the toughest, if you get through that then you'll be fine.

That laptop is fine, the required level of processing power isn't that high

otterj

Could somebody post a timetable that they had for this course?

slugger_otoole

otterj wrote: »

Could somebody post a timetable that they had for this course?

First semester was Mon, weds and Friday 6-10 and every second Saturday for 4 hours. The first semester modules were databases, programming, statistics and business analytics.

otterj

What date are the exams in May held?

slugger_otoole

otterj wrote: »

What date are the exams in May held?

Like every institution, they will be on different days every year. Mine were between May 15th and 25th. Best to hold off booking any holidays until these are confirmed, as the repeat exams aren't on for a very long time.