Category Archives: BCS

Data Fellowship – BCS Level 4 Certificate in Data Analysis Tools

28 Monday Mar 2022

Posted by in BCS, Data, Data Fellowship, Data Science

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I know that I haven’t posted into my blog in a while. Mainly because I have been busy with my Data Fellowship and a few other things. Recently I have been studying for todays exam “BCS Level 4 Certificate in Data Analysis Tools” – QAN 603/0824/2.

The ability to still take exams at home (under exam conditions), is a bit more relaxing than having to take a journey to get to an exam centre, but still just as unnerving as you complete and press the end exam button awaiting the mark. The ability to take exams at home, still under the same conditions with cameras on and screen shared does open the ability to obtain qualifications up to more people and fit them in better around a normal working day.

The objectives of this part of the course/exam are:

  • Explain the purpose and outputs of data integration activities
  • Explain how data from multiple sources can be integrated to provide a unified view of the data
  • Describe how programming languages for statistical computing (SQL) can be applied to data integration activities, improving speed and data quality for analysis
  • Explain how to take account of data quality when preparing data for analysis, improving quality, accuracy and usefulness
  • Explain the nature and challenges of data volumes being processed through integration activities and how a programming approach can improve this
  • Understand testing requirements to ensure that unified data sets are correct, complete and up to date
  • Explain the capabilities (speed, cost, function) of statistical programming languages and software tools, when manipulating, processing and cleaning data and the tools required to solve analysis issues
  • Explain how statistical programming languages are used in preparing data for analysis and within analysis projects

Source: Syllabus

Exam passed and now on with the final submission of my Project Portfolio and Synopsis Project.

BCS Fellows Technical Advisory Group (F-TAG)

24 Tuesday Aug 2021

Posted by in 21st Century Human, BCS, F-TAG

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I am both excited and honoured at the opportunity to be part of the first cohort for the BCS F-TAG (Fellows Technical Advisory Group). Looking forward to participating and helping to lead bringing my experience and knowledge as part of this group.

Aim of the F-TAG

BCS’ Fellows Technical Advisory Group (F-TAG) is a diverse selection of experts who will distil insights on cutting edge technologies to benefit the entire BCS membership, the wider industry and ‘UK plc’; F-TAG complements the work of existing boards and groups. Source.

F-TAG is made up of 25 BCS Fellows selected from diverse demographic and professional backgrounds; their expertise ranges from software testing to smart homes. Source.

Find out more at : https://www.bcs.org/policy-and-influence/bcs-fellows-technical-advisory-group-f-tag

F-TAG Members: https://www.bcs.org/policy-and-influence/bcs-fellows-technical-advisory-group-f-tag/f-tag-members

Data Fellowship – BCS Level 4 Diploma in Data Analysis Concepts

15 Tuesday Jun 2021

Posted by in BCS, Data, Data Fellowship, Data Science

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As part of my Data Fellowship that I am currently taking, today I sat the first exam for “BCS Level 4 Diploma in Data Analysis Concepts” – QAN 603/0823/0.

The last exam that I took was in an examination centre where you turn up and sit at an already configured computer. This time I sat the exam at home in my dining room with camera and microphones on. Special software ensuring that my only windows open are the exam and meeting room with the invigilator watching me.

Sitting down getting ready for the exam, I hit that unfortunate moment of your laptop is about to reboot and install an operating system upgrade. Great timing! Just enough time to get another device loaded with the right software and logins to the required pages. Not a good start to entering an exam for the mindset, but all went well in the end.

Study for this stage of the Data Fellowship has been part of the apprenticeship course and objectives. For me it was a cementing of the concepts and bringing some areas up to date.

Objectives are: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Data Analysis and its underlying architecture, principles, and techniques. Key areas are:

  1. Explore the different types of data, including open and public data, administrative data, and research data
  2. Understand the data lifecycle
  3. Illustrate the differences between structured and unstructured data
  4. Understand the importance of clearly defining customer requirements for data analysis
  5. Understand the quality issues that can arise with data and how to avoid and/or resolve these
  6. Explore the steps involved in carrying out routine data analysis tasks
  7. Understand the range of data protection and legal issues
  8. Explore the fundamentals of data structures
  9. Explore the database system design, implementation, and maintenance
  10. Understands the organisation’s data architecture
  11. Understands the importance of the domain context for data analytics

Source: Syllabus

Exam passed and certificate issued. Now on with the next learning/revision for the BCS Level 4 Certificate in Data Analysis Tools.