Take note that the dissertation topics have been assigned. Each student will receive an email and there you must acknowledge that you have been assigned to a specific topic. 

Contact your supervisor as soon as possible.

Take note of the following schedule change in the second semester:
* 27 July: MIT809 will be from 13h00-14h30
* 17 August: MIT809 will be from 13h00-14h30
* 14 September: No MIT809 lecture

All other lectures remain the same. Also take note that all core module lectures will take place in GW/HSB 1-15.

MIT809 has a new lecturer. It will be presented by Dr Vukosi. He has joined the department in July. As soon as his email has been activated, I will also update it in the booklet.
 
I have updated the booklet to contain all of this newest information. You can find it under the module content at:
Admin/Booklet with schedule

I have added an official letter with the 2018 June Exam Timetable (for first year modules) to the module content. You can find it under the "Admin" folder as June 2018 Exam Timetable.

Take note that only the MIT804 will have a sit-down exam where you would have to come to the Hatfield campus. 

Take note that if you submit a file to the CS portal, the file name should NOT contain any commas.

Take note that I an busy finalizing the project topic assignments. Most students have been assigned and the last few should be finalized by Thursday. I will communicate on Thursday what the next steps are. 

Take note that unless announced otherwise all the first year modules’ lectures will take place at GW/HSB 1-15 on the Hatfield campus

Take note that information about the process that will be followed in MIT807 (mini dissertation) has been released on the MIT807 module website:
http://www.cs.up.ac.za/courses/MIT807

All communication with regards to this module will be placed on the MIT807 website.

Take note that the schedule for the first year modules are available. This is only for the core modules, not for the electives of the second semester.

You can find it under module content at:
2018 Information/First year modules

The schedule for second year modules will be available next week. Since this only includes the project module (MIT808) and the mini-dissertation module (MIT807), there will not be many official face to face sessions. However, you will have sessions with your project mentor and/or dissertation supervisor according to the arrangement between you and your mentor and/or supervisor.

Take note that you must submit your bids for the projects by 14 January 2018 at 23h00. Mentors of the projects will then have to indicate their preferences for the bids that they receive for their project by 25 January 2018. The assignment of the projects will then be completed by end of January 2018 or beginning of February 2018.

The following topics are not available for bidding to all students, and only for specific students:
* The feasibility of growing Engineering numbers
* Predicting patient diagnosis based on medication purchasing habits
* Predicting Geological Lithology using Downhole Geophysical data at the Kumba Iron Ore Northern Exploration Project
* Using recurrent neural networks to detect anomalous digital banking behaviour
* Training of a Generative Adversarial Network
* Customer Communication Analytics
* Create a unified customer view, using Big Data within telecom sector
* Machine learning application for the sorting of diamondiferous rock from mined kimberlite
* Feasibility study for development of a Machine Learning (ML) based reactor control system for an Induced Blanket Reactor(IBR) Anaerobic Digester
* The viability of a machine learning methods in the estimation of the loss given default parameter in credit risk modelling

All students that must still take core/elective modules of the first year of the program in 2018, send me an email with the following information:

1) Which modules have you successfully completed in 2017?
2) Which core/elective modules of the first year of the program must you register for in 2018?
3) Reason(s) for not completing these modules in 2018.

I need this email ASAP so that you can get the required information about lectures and so that I can inform faculty admin when they check the registrations.

Take note that the MIT809 module does not appear on the list of modules anymore since it is a second semester module. However, you can still access it by:
1) Selecting it under the "My Modules" dropdown list on the right hand side of the grey menu box
2) Going directly to the module link at: http://www.cs.up.ac.za/courses/MIT809

The following students should only bid for the topics next to their student number, since they will be assigned to the project topic that aligns with their assigned dissertation topic:
* 17327955, The feasibility of growing Engineering numbers
* 10109669, Predicting patient diagnosis based on medication purchasing habits
* 17400122, Predicting Geological Lithology using Downhole Geophysical data at the Kumba Iron Ore Northern Exploration Project
* 29047855, Using recurrent neural networks to detect anomalous digital banking behaviour
* 17370435, Training of a Generative Adversarial Network

The following topics are not available for bids since they were either submitted by a student, or belongs to the list above:
* Customer Communication Analytics
* Create a unified customer view, using Big Data within telecom sector
* Feasibility study for development of a Machine Learning (ML) based reactor control system for an Induced Blanket Reactor(IBR) Anaerobic Digester
* Machine learning application for the sorting of diamondiferous rock from mined kimberlite
* Predicting Geological Lithology using Downhole Geophysical data at the Kumba Iron Ore Northern Exploration Project
* Predicting patient diagnosis based on medication purchasing habits
* The feasibility of growing Engineering numbers
* The viability of a machine learning methods in the estimation of the loss given default parameter in credit risk modelling
* Training of a Generative Adversarial Network
* Using recurrent neural networks to detect anomalous digital banking behaviour

All students that submitted their own topics MUST submit a bid for their topic.

The deadline for project bid submissions is 14 January at 23h00.

The bids for projects will open next week. An announcement with instructions will be posted when the bids system is open.

Take note that you must submit your bids for the projects by 14 January 2018. Mentors of the projects will then have to indicate their preferences for the bids that they receive for their project by 25 January 2018. The assignment of the projects will then be completed by end of January 2018.

Take note that the deadline for bids for dissertation topics has been extended to 26 November at 23h00.

New topics will still be added in the next week. Refer back to the topic list to look at the new topics and to change your bidding preferences accordingly.

Bidding for project topics will open at a later stage and an announcement will be made. Currently only the dissertation topics' bidding is open.

Take note that you can place your bids for a topic until 13 November at 23h00. 

If you submitted your own topic, you must still submit a bid for that topic.

If you did not submit your own topic, it is recommended that:
1) you refer to the list of topics that are not available for bidding to prevent you from bidding for those topics
2) you bid for at least 4 topics.

Take note that most dissertation topics have now been approved an are available for bidding. 

However, certain topics are not available for bidding, since they were submitted by students that will be working on that specific topic. A list of unavailable topics are available under the module content at: DissertationTopics/Topics unavailable for bidding 

If you submitted a topic yourself that is not on that list and that should be reserved for you, send me an email so that I can update the list.

A few topics will be approved tomorrow, once the identified supervisors agree to supervise those topics. I will make an announcement when they become available.

Take note that I have updated the letter to include INL820. Students that take that elective should download the newest letter which includes INL820.

 

Take note of one exam change, i.e. MIT805 's exam will take place from 6-8 November and will be a 72 hour take-home exam.

I have updated it in the newest version of the letter.

You can find the official letter with regards to the 2017 November exam timetable under module content as "Exam timetable November 2017"

Take note that the exam timetable will be published today, together with a formal letter for your employer.

Hi everyone,

Take note of an excellent opportunity, namely the PWC MIT Data Science Post Graduate Degree Bursary.

Take note that the deadline is 30 October 2017.

You can read more under the module content at:
Bursaries/PWC MIT Data Science Post Graduate Degree Bursary

Take note of the following new deadlines for topic proposals and bids:

Project topic proposals: 10 October 23h59
Project topic bids: 20 October 23h59

Research dissertation topic proposal: 10 October 23h59
Research dissertation topic bids: 20 October 23h59

Dear students,

Below is information that you can use to propose project and/or research topics. You can also share it with possible mentors at your company.

==================================
The MIT C Stream (Big Data Science) degree/program started at the University of Pretoria in 2017. The degree spans over two years, where the first year comprises of core/compulsory modules, as well as two elective modules. The core modules include a workshop that provides an introduction to Big Data Science, from many different fields. Other modules address topics such as ethics, data platforms (hands-on experience on with e.g. Hadoop, Spark and R), mathematical optimization, machine and statistical learning, big data processing and research methods. The elective modules in 2017 include data fusion, the Internet of Things/sensor networks, the digital economy, text mining, deep learning, cyber security and digital forensics, mathematical finance/financial engineering and research data management.

The second year comprises of a research project and a mini-dissertation. The research project module provides the opportunity for the students to demonstrate the application of the theoretical Big Data Science knowledge gained in the core part of the degree, and to experience the entire pipeline of a Big Data/Data Science project. Students are expected to work with a project mentor, who takes ownership for the project. The mentor can be either an industry partner or a researcher within one of the participating departments or institutes in the university. Projects will be based on the entire big data life cycle. The proposed project will be subject to approval by the Department Computer Science.

The mini-dissertation topic will require of students to submit a mini-dissertation that demonstrates their ability to conduct research. Students may choose a supervisor/co-supervisor from any of the participating departments, which includes, but are not limited to: Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering (EECE), Informatics, Information Science, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Faculty of Health Science departments (Computational biology, Family Medicine, Radiology). It should be noted that either the supervisor or co-supervisor must be from a department in the School of Information Technology (Computer Science, Informatics or Information Science).

If you want to participate in the program by proposing either a project and/or a research topic, please go to the following link to create an account:
http://www.cs.up.ac.za/mitc_projects/account_request

Once your account request has been approved, you will be allowed to enter these topics. 

Please take note of the following with regards to project topics:
1) Each project topic has to have a project mentor who will be accessible to the student and that mentor and guide the student.
2) Once all of the information has been filled in, it will go through a review process.
3) After the topic has been approved, it will become visible to the students.
4) Students will have an opportunity to ask questions to the project mentor that proposed the topic and vice versa.
5) Students will submit their bid for the project topics.
6) Project mentors will then rank the various bids.
7) Based on the ranks, the project module lecturers will assign students to projects.
8) The deadline for submission of project topics is 10 October 2017.
9) The deadline for students to submit project bids is 17 October 2017.
10) Allocations will be announced by 12 November 2017.

Take note of the following with regards to the research topics:
1) A research topic can be proposed by a student, or a supervisor at the university or a supervisor/mentor at a company. However, the supervisor must at least have a Masters degree to supervise a MIT student.
2) A research topic may overlap with a project topic, i.e. the project work may feed into a research topic.
3) If the supervisor is not from the School of Information Technology, a co-supervisor should be indicated, if this information is already known. Otherwise, the MIT (Big Data Science) manager will assign a co-supervisor to the topic. 
4) Once all of the information has been captured, the topic will be reviewed.
5) Once the topic has been accepted, it will become visible to the students.
6) Students will have an opportunity to ask questions to the supervisor and vice versa.
7) Students will submit their bid for the research topics.
8) Supervisors will then rank the various bids.
9) Based on the ranks, the MIT (Big Data Science) manager will assign each student to a research topic.
10) The deadline for submission of research topics is 4 September 2017.
11) The deadline for students to submit bids is 18 September 2017.
12) Allocations will be announced by 28 September 2017.

A manual for the MIT C portal can be found under the module content at: Topics/MITC_Portal_Manual. 
The manual  provides information on how to create an account, as well as how to propose either a project or a research topic.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Kind regards,

--------------------------------------
Dr Marde Helbig
Coordinator of the MIT C (Big Data Science) Program
Senior lecturer
Department of Computer Science
University of Pretoria
Hatfield, South Africa
Tel: +27 12 420 2755
--------------------------------------

Take note that the lecture is taking place at Exhibition space, ground floor, Engineering 1 building

Information about ERZ801 can be found at: http://www.cs.up.ac.za/courses/ERZ801

Information about ERZ802 can be found on ClickUp.

Take note that all of the MIT805, MIT806 and MIT809 lectures will take place in room 1-45 in the Law building

Take note that you must register for the electives by 30 July. If you need to change your electives, send an email to Mrs Taljaard at: dawn.taljaard@up.ac.za

Take note that the contact persons for ERZ801 and ERZ802 have changed. Please look at the updated contact information for these electives.

Electives from Informatics:

If you choose INF 801, you do the MIT 851 Digital Economy module (see "Informatics: additional information" under Module Content of this site)
If you choose INF 802, you do the MIT 852 Project Management module (see "Informatics: additional information" under Module Content of this site)

You can find more information about the COS802 elective under:

Module Content/Electives/Computer Science (COS802): Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics in Big Data Science 

Take note that you must contact the responsible lecturer of an elective to find out information about the course and the dates of lectures.

The contact persons for these electives are as follows:
COS801: Mr Christopher Cleghorn; ccleghorn@cs.up.ac.za
COS802: Prof Jan Eloff; jan.eloff@up.ac.za
INF801: Dr Marita Turpin; marita.turpin@up.ac.za
INF802: Prof Awie Leonard; awie.leonard@up.ac.za
INL801: Dr Martie van Deventer; vandeventer.martie@gmail.com
STK801: Dr Alta de Waal; alta.dewaal@up.ac.za
ERZ801: Mr Hans Grobler; hans.grobler@up.ac.za
ERZ801: Mr Hans Grobler; hans.grobler@up.ac.za
WTW801: Dr Rodwell Kufakunesu; rodwell.kufakunesu@up.ac.za

I have uploaded an official document that contains the June 2017 exam timetable for students that need it to apply for study leave.

You can find it under module content, with the following name: Exam timetable June 2017

Hi everyone,

We have decided that all courses will have a take-away exam.

The exam dates are as follows: 

MIT 803: 5-7 June (3 day take-away exam)
MIT 804: 19 June (24 hours take-away exam)
MIT 801: 21 June (24 hours take-away exam)
MIT 802: 23 June (24 hours take-away exam)

For each course refer to the course website for information on the exam process, i.e. obtaining the exam paper and submitting the exam.

All lectures on 2 June will take place in the Graduate Centre Building, Room 2-67.

The exams will take place from 5 June. The exam dates will be posted by the end of this week.

The following courses will have a take-away exam (can be completed from home, you do not have to come in):
*MIT 801
*MIT 802
*MIT 803

MIT 804 will have a written exam where you must come in to write the exam.

Information about electives will be added as it becomes available. 

You can find the information under Module Content in the Electives folder.

Venues for lectures on 5 May are as follows:

10h00-12h00: MIT 802, Eng I Building, Hall 1-1
13h00-15h00: MIT 804, Eng III Building, Hall 4
15h30-17h30: MIT 801, Eng III Building, Hall 2

Welcome to the information page of the MIT C Stream. From today, all information that is relevant to students registered for this program, that is not subject specific, will be posted here.