Aims and Fit of Module

This module introduces first-year students to the foundational role of data in business and finance. Building on the integrated financial and business thinking developed in Semester 1, this course transitions students toward a "managerial perspective" by focusing on data literacy, ethical data handling, and the ability to turn raw information into actionable finance and business insights. It assumes no prior technical knowledge, emphasizing conceptual understanding and practical application of data in the business world and social life.

Learning outcomes

A Identify and frame business and finance problems that can be addressed through data-driven approaches. B Evaluate the quality, reliability, and limitations of data used in business and finance contexts. C Apply descriptive analytical techniques to summarize business and finance information using standard tools. D Communicate data-based insights effectively to non-technical stakeholders through professional visual storytelling.

Method of teaching and learning

The module employs an active "learn-by-doing" pedagogy, designed to transition students from foundational theory to practical application. Each week features a balanced structure comprising two primary components:  Conceptual Lectures: These sessions introduce the theoretical frameworks necessary for understanding the data lifecycle, ethical considerations, and the strategic role of data in managerial decision-making.  Guided Practical Workshops: These sessions provide hands-on experience where students apply analytical techniques to real-world datasets. The workshops are scaffolded to build proficiency progressively, moving from basic numerical and textual data manipulation to more complex interpretive tasks. The delivery emphasizes the development of critical thinking and professional communication skills over complex programming. Students will engage with diverse, non-technical datasets, learning how to clean, analyze, and visualize information to support managerial recommendations. By integrating numerical statistics and textual analysis in these workshops, students gain a holistic understanding of how to derive actionable business insights, directly preparing them for their final project assessment.