Image by author
Are you an aspiring data professional looking to boost your career in data science? If so, you’re probably considering several options: online courses, bootcamps, master’s degrees, and more.
But if you’re motivated enough, there are several high-quality, free resources that can help you get there. Here, we have compiled a list of five free courses that can help you learn and become proficient in data science.
From the fundamentals of programming to building and deploying data science applications, these courses will teach you everything you need for a successful career path.
Let’s dive right in!
Python for everyone, taught by Prof. Charles Severance at the University of Michigan, is an excellent course for learning Python. It teaches you Python programming from scratch and covers everything you need to know when working with data.
You can also use the Python book for everyone in conjunction with the course. The course covers the following broad topics:
- Python programming fundamentals
- Python data structures
- Conditional execution, loops and iteration.
- Features
- Regular expressions
- Web services and network programs.
- Data visualization
Course link: Python for everyone
Now that you’ve mastered the fundamentals of Python, it’s time to analyze data with Python. Data analysis with Python by Jovian (on the freeCodeCamp YouTube channel) is a free course that will help you learn how to work with data science libraries with several practice exercises and a course project.
This course starts with the fundamentals of Python programming (which should be a refresher for you) and gradually introduces Python’s data analysis libraries. And it concludes with a final course project on exploratory data analysis.
Here is an overview of the course curriculum:
- Python Fundamentals
- Numerical computing with NumPy
- Analyzing tabular data with pandas
- Visualization with Matplotlib and Seaborn
- Course Project: Exploratory Data Analysis
Course link: Data analysis with Python
Introduction to Databases in Data Science describes essential database skills for data professionals.
From designing databases to writing efficient SQL queries and more, databases and SQL are must-have skills for your career in data. This Databases and SQL The freeCodeCamp course will teach you the following:
- Database Fundamentals
- SQL Basics
- CRUD operations
- Functions, unions and unions
- nested queries
- Database schema design
Course link: Databases and SQL
In addition to high school math (calculus, probability, and linear algebra), a strong foundation in statistics is necessary to excel in data science.
Introduction to inferential statistics from Udacity’s library of free courses will teach you the following concepts, along with coding exercises to test your skills:
- Estimate
- Hypothesis evaluation
- t tests
- ANOVA
- chi square test
- Correlation
- Regression
Course link: Introduction to inferential statistics
The courses listed so far should have helped you gain proficiency in Python fundamentals, data analysis, and statistical fundamentals.
Now is the time to start building and deploying machine learning models. Machine Learning Zoomcamp by DataTalks.Club is a great course for learning the fundamentals of machine learning through a code-first approach. It also covers a wide variety of topics including model deployment and deep learning.
The course curriculum includes the following:
- Regression
- Classification
- Evaluation of machine learning models
- Deploying machine learning models
- Decision trees and joint learning.
- Neural networks and deep learning
- Kubernetes and TensorFlow service
Course link: Machine Learning Zoomcamp
I hope you found these recommended courses useful. Most of these courses require you to code, build, decompose, and learn along the way. This way you will have a good base.
But even while you work on these courses, build your portfolio on the side. Your goal should be to create a handful of interesting projects that showcase your strengths and skills. If you need some inspiration to get started, check out 3 data science projects that will guarantee you that job. Happy learning!
Bala Priya C. is a developer and technical writer from India. He enjoys working at the intersection of mathematics, programming, data science, and content creation. His areas of interest and expertise include DevOps, data science, and natural language processing. He likes to read, write, code and drink coffee! Currently, he is working to learn and share his knowledge with the developer community by creating tutorials, how-to guides, opinion pieces, and more.
