Imagine that you own a business that has thousands of customers. You have data on every one of these customers, ranging from basic contact information to data about their purchasing habits. What you have is a huge dataset, and you want to extract information from that dataset in the form of patterns and insights with which you can make decisions.
You’d need a data scientist.
Data scientists specialize in shining a spotlight on the most important insights found in large datasets. They use a range of tools – from complex algorithms to artificial intelligence – to make that spotlight shine brighter. And in a world of Big Data, the data scientist’s role is more important now than ever. With these six courses, split between beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, you put yourself in a prime position to become the data scientist that so many companies need.
Best Data Science Tutorials for Beginners
Everybody has to start somewhere, and these data science beginner tutorial options are the ideal first step on your journey into the field.
Data Science Tutorial for Beginners (Java T Point)
If you’re looking for a succinct explanation of what data science is, what it involves, and how it applies in the modern world, Java T Point’s tutorial answers the key questions. It’s structured as a long-form article rather than a set of modules or lessons, but it’s well-organized and covers all of the key points in enough depth to make it a handy primer for the data science novice.
This data science tutorial covers a range of topics, from basic explanations of the components of data science to descriptions of the types of jobs available for those who enter the field. It also digs into some of the machine learning aspects of data science, such as decision trees, so you can see how AI ties into modern data science practices.
Granted, the fact that it’s not a traditional course means there’s no community underpinning the tutorial or certification for completion. But as a primer that gives you some foundational knowledge, it’s a superb starting point.
Data Science Full Course – Learn Data Science in 10 Hours (Edureka)
Offered via YouTube, this data science tutorial makes the lofty claim of being able to teach you all you need to know about the subject in 10 hours. While that isn’t strictly true (the more complex aspects are covered superficially), it’s still a great primer for those looking to build a solid foundation in the subject.
The tutorial is a great choice for visual learners, and it covers topics like data categorization, statistics, and the data lifecycle. Charts, graphs, and other visual learning tools abound, with the constant narration helping you to understand what you’re seeing on screen.
As a full 10-hour video, the tutorial could do with being broken up into separate lessons to make it easier to keep your place. But as long as you’re happy to record time stamps (or don’t mind the full 10 hours in one sitting), the course delivers plenty of useful information.
Best Data Science Tutorials for Intermediate Learners
After completing a few of the best data science tutorials for beginners, you’re ready to get your feet wet with intermediate courses that dig into the coding that underpins data science.
Data Science with Python Tutorial (Geeksforgeeks)
Python is the programming language of choice for data scientists, as evidenced by the fact that 69% of data scientists report using Python daily. It’s no surprise, either, as Python is an extremely flexible language that’s ideal for creating the algorithms needed in data science due to its vast range of libraries. The challenge you face is twofold – figuring out how to code in Python and understanding what libraries you need to confront common data science challenges.
Geeksforgeeks offers a data science tutorial that confronts both of those challenges and helps you see how Python applies to the data science field in a practical sense. Starting with a brief introduction to the data science field (the beginner-level tutorials in this list offer more depth), it then dives into everything you need to know about Python. You’ll learn about the basics of Python, such as functions and control statements, before moving into how you can use the language for visualizing data and creating machine learning models.
It’s a highly specialized tutorial, though it’s one that’s essential for prospective data scientists, given the popularity of Python in the field. Unfortunately, there’s no certification for completion. However, it’ll equip you with so much Python knowledge that you can feel confident moving into a more advanced study without worrying about your coding chops.
Data Science and Machine Learning Essentials (Microsoft via Udemy)
Like the above course, Microsoft’s offering covers Python, albeit in far less depth. However, it stands out because it also covers a couple of other languages used commonly in data science – namely R and Azure Machine Learning. As a result, the course is an excellent choice for intermediate data scientists who want to get to grips with the main three programming languages they’ll likely use in the field.
It’s a five-week course, with Microsoft recommending between three and four hours of learning per week, and it’s delivered in English. Each weekly module is capped with a quiz that tests your knowledge. The modules cover everything from data science basics to creating machine learning models in Azure Machine Learning.
Of course, the biggest benefit of this course (aside from the content) is the Microsoft-approved certification you get at the end. Any employer who sees Microsoft on your CV will sit up and take notice. Still, you’ll need to build on what you learn here with a more advanced data science tutorial, ideally one that covers more real-world applications of working with data.
Best Data Science Tutorials for Advanced Learners
Once you’re secure in your foundational knowledge and you have a good idea of how to apply data science practices, you’re ready to step into a more advanced data science tutorial. Here are two options.
Data Science Tutorial – Learn Data Science From Scratch (DataFlair)
Think of DataFlair’s main data science tutorial page as a hub world in a video game. There are dozens of different directions in which to take your studying, and you’re in complete control of where you go and what you learn. The page hosts over 370 tutorials (free of charge) that cover everything from the basics of data science to using data mining and Python to parse through massive data sets.
The sheer depth of coverage makes this set of tutorials ideal for the advanced learner. The more basic sides of the course can fill in any knowledge gaps that weren’t covered in previous tutorials you’ve taken. And on the more advanced side, you’ll be exposed to real-world examples that show you how to apply your theoretical knowledge in a practical environment. There’s even a set of quizzes that you can use to test your understanding of what you read.
There are some drawbacks, namely that this data science tutorial doesn’t offer a certificate and is less interactive than many paid courses. However, self-paced learners who thrive when presented with pages of theoretical knowledge will find almost everything they need to know about data science in this collection.
MicroMasters® Program in Statistics and Data Science (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
By the time you’re at the advanced stage of learning data science, you’ll probably want an official certification to take pride of place on your CV. This mini-Master’s degree comes from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which is one of the world’s leading technology and engineering schools.
The course lasts for one year and two months, with between 10 and 14 hours of study required per week, making it a choice only for those who can commit to a part-time consistent learning schedule. It’s also not a free data science tutorial, as you’ll have to pay £1,210 (approx. €1,401) for the program.
If you can vault those hurdles, you get a graduate-level course that teaches you how to develop the machine learning models used in modern data science. Plus, having the letters “MIT” on your course certification (and the networking opportunities that come with learning from some of the institutions leading professors) makes this course even more valuable.
Find the Best Data Science Tutorials for Your Skill Level
Whether you’re taking your first tentative steps into the world of data science or you’re an advanced learner looking to brush up your skills, there’s a data science tutorial out there for you. The six highlighted in this article represent the best data science tutorials available (two for each skill level) on the web.
Let’s close by answering a key question – why complete one of these tutorials?
Precedence Research has the answer, stating that the data science field will enjoy a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.43% between 2022 and 2030. Rapid growth means more job opportunities (and higher salaries) for those with data science skills. Use these tutorials to build your skill base before shifting your career focus to a field that looks set to explode as Big Data becomes more crucial to how companies operate.
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From the same author
Read the articleFar from being a temporary educational measure that came into its own during the pandemic, online education is providing students from all over the world with new ways to learn. That’s proven by statistics from Oxford Learning College, which point out that over 100 million students are now enrolled in some form of online course.
The demand for these types of courses clearly exists.
In fact, the same organization indicates that educational facilities that introduce online learning see a 42% increase in income – on average – suggesting that the demand is there.
Enter the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT).
Delivering three online courses – a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and two Master’s degrees – with more to come, OPIT is positioning itself as a leader in the online education space. But why is that? After all, many institutions are making the jump to e-learning, so what separates OPIT from the pack?
Here, you’ll discover the answers as you delve into the five reasons why you should trust OPIT for your online education.
Reason 1 – A Practical Approach
OPIT focuses on computer science education – a field in which theory often dominates the educational landscape. The organization’s Rector, Professor Francesco Profumo, makes this clear in a press release from June 2023. He points to a misalignment between what educators are teaching computer science students and what the labor market actually needs from those students as a key problem.
“The starting point is the awareness of the misalignment,” he says when talking about how OPIT structures its online courses. “That so-called mismatch is generated by too much theory and too little practical approach.” In other words, students in many classes spend far too much time learning the “hows” and “whys” behind computerized systems without actually getting their hands dirty with real work that gives them practical experience in using those systems.
OPIT takes a different approach.
It has developed a didactic approach that focuses far more on the practical element than other courses. That approach is delivered through a combination of classroom sessions – such as live lessons and masterclasses – and practical work offered through quizzes and exercises that mimic real-world situations.
An OPIT student doesn’t simply learn how computers work. They put their skills into practice through direct programming and application, equipping them with skills that are extremely attractive to major employers in the tech field and beyond.
Reason 2 – Flexibility Combined With Support
Flexibility in how you study is one of the main benefits of any online course.
You control when you learn and how you do it, creating an environment that’s beneficial to your education rather than being forced into a classroom setting with which you may not feel comfortable. This is hardly new ground. Any online educational platform can claim that it offers “flexibility” simply because it provides courses via the web.
Where OPIT differs is that it combines that flexibility with unparalleled support bolstered by the experiences of teachers employed from all over the world. The founder and director of OPIT, Riccardo Ocleppo, sheds more light on this difference in approach when he says, “We believe that education, even if it takes place physically at a distance, must guarantee closeness on all other aspects.” That closeness starts with the support offered to students throughout their entire study period.
Tutors are accessible to students at all times. Plus, every participant benefits from weekly professor interactions, ensuring they aren’t left feeling stuck on an educational “island” and have to rely solely on themselves for their education. OPIT further counters the potential isolation that comes with online learning with a Student Support team to guide students through any difficulties they may have with their courses.
In this focus on support, OPIT showcases one of its main differences from other online platforms.
You don’t simply receive course material before being told to “get on with it.” You have the flexibility to learn at your own pace while also having a support structure that serves as a foundation for that learning.
Reason 3 – OPIT Can Adapt to Change Quickly
The field of computer science is constantly evolving.
In the 2020s alone, we’ve seen the rise of generative AI – spurred on by the explosive success of services like ChatGPT – and how those new technologies have changed the way that people use computers.
Riccardo Ocleppo has seen the impact that these constant evolutions have had on students. Before founding OPIT, he was an entrepreneur who received first-hand experience of the fact that many traditional educational institutions struggle to adapt to change.
“Traditional educational institutions are very slow to adapt to this wave of new technologies and trends within the educational sector,” he says. He points to computer science as a particular issue, highlighting the example of a board in Italy of which he is a member. That board – packed with some of the country’s most prestigious tech universities – spent three years eventually deciding to add just two modules on new and emerging technologies to their study programs.
That left Ocleppo feeling frustrated.
When he founded OPIT, he did so intending to make it an adaptable institution in which courses were informed by what the industry needs. Every member of its faculty is not only a superb teacher but also somebody with experience working in industry. Speaking of industry, OPIT collaborates with major companies in the tech field to ensure its courses deliver the skills that those organizations expect from new candidates.
This confronts frustration on both sides. For companies, an OPIT graduate is one for which they don’t need to bridge a “skill gap” between what they’ve learned and what the company needs. For you, as a student, it means that you’re developing skills that make you a more desirable prospect once you have your degree.
Reason 4 – OPIT Delivers Tier One Education
Despite their popularity, online courses can still carry a stigma of not being “legitimate” in the face of more traditional degrees. Ocleppo is acutely aware of this fact, which is why he’s quick to point out that OPIT always aims to deliver a Tier One education in the computer science field.
“That means putting together the best professors who create superb learning material, all brought together with a teaching methodology that leverages the advancements made in online teaching,” he says.
OPIT’s degrees are all accredited by the European Union to support this approach, ensuring they carry as much weight as any other European degree. It’s accredited by both the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and the Malta Qualification Framework (MQF), with all of its courses having full legal value throughout Europe.
It’s also here where we see OPIT’s approach to practicality come into play via its course structuring.
Take its Bachelor’s degree in computer science as an example.
Yes, that course starts with a focus on theoretical and foundational knowledge. Building a computer and understanding how the device processes instructions is vital information from a programming perspective. But once those foundations are in place, OPIT delivers on its promises of covering the most current topics in the field.
Machine learning, cloud computing, data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity – all valuable to employers – are taught at the undergraduate level. Students benefit from a broader approach to computer science than most institutions are capable of, rather than bogging them down in theory that serves little practical purpose.
Reason 5 – The Learning Experience
Let’s wrap up by honing in on what it’s actually like for students to learn with OPIT.
After all, as Ocleppo points out, one of the main challenges with online education is that students rarely have defined checkpoints to follow. They can start feeling lost in the process, confronted with a metaphorical ocean of information they need to learn, all in service of one big exam at the end.
Alternatively, some students may feel the temptation to not work through the materials thoroughly, focusing instead on passing a final exam. The result is that those students may pass, but they do so without a full grasp of what they’ve learned – a nightmare for employers who already have skill gaps to handle.
OPIT confronts both challenges by focusing on a continuous learning methodology. Assessments – primarily practical – take place throughout the course, serving as much-needed checkpoints for evaluating progress. When combined with the previously mentioned support that OPIT offers, this approach has led to courses that are created from scratch in service of the student’s actual needs.
Choose OPIT for Your Computer Science Education
At OPIT, the focus lies as much on helping students to achieve their dream careers as it does on teaching them. All courses are built collaboratively. With a dedicated faculty combined with major industry players, such as Google and Microsoft, it delivers materials that bridge the skill gap seen in the computer science field today.
There’s also more to come.
Beyond the three degrees OPIT offers, the institution plans to add more. Game development, data science, and cloud computing, to name a few, will receive dedicated degrees in the coming months, accentuating OPIT’s dedication to adapting to the continuous evolution of the computer science industry. Discover OPIT today – your journey into computing starts with the best online education institution available.
With immense pride and anticipation, we announce the inaugural event for the OPIT – Open Institute of Technology academic year. As pioneers in the new era of Higher Education, this event encapsulates the very ethos of what OPIT represents. Not just an event, but the commencement of a journey to pave the way for the next generation of leaders in the field of IT.
Event Details
- Date: September 12th, 2023
- Time: 5.00-6.00 PM CEST
- Platform: Online
- Registration: Link
Event Schedule
- Official Introduction: Mr. Riccardo Ocleppo, the founder of OPIT, paints a picture of the Institution’s foundational pillars and what prospective students can expect from their academic journey.
- Learning Model Presentation: Prof. Francesco Profumo, our esteemed Rector, delves deep into the heart of OPIT’s avant-garde learning experience, shedding light on its core tenets and alignment with the demands of the contemporary job market.
- Accreditation and Quality Assurance: The Malta Minister of Education, Dr. Clifton Grima, offers insights into the robust educational framework of Malta and the stringent quality assurance measures in place.
- The Future of Jobs in the Era of AI: Prof. Alexiei Dingli navigates the evolving terrains of the job market under the shadow of AI’s relentless march, emphasizing the pivotal role of institutions like OPIT.
- The Impact of Digitalization on a Global Scale: Dr. Bernardo Calzadilla Sarmiento, former Managing Director of UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) offers a panoramic view of the digital revolution sweeping across the globe and its profound implications on industry, economy, and education.
- Q&A Session: Led by Greta Maiocchi, the Head of Admissions at OPIT, this segment is dedicated to addressing queries, clearing doubts, and facilitating an open dialogue.
In a world where AI and digital innovation are reshaping boundaries, institutions like OPIT emerge as guiding lights. Join us at this pivotal juncture as we navigate the AI-driven future, fortified by our dedication to education, foresight, and ambition.
Join us in marking the beginning of an era. Let’s shape the future, together.
Register here for the event.
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Related posts
Soon, we will be launching four new Degrees for AY24-25 at OPIT – Open Institute of Technology
I want to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the Product Definition process that has shaped these upcoming programs.
🚀 Phase 1: Discovery (Late May – End of July)
Our journey began with intensive brainstorming sessions with OPIT’s Academic Board (Francesco Profumo, Lorenzo Livi, Alexiei Dingli, Andrea Pescino, Rosario Maccarrone) . We also conducted 50+ interviews with tech and digital entrepreneurs (both from startups and established firms), academics and students. Finally, we deep-dived into the “Future of Jobs 2023” report by the World Economic Forum and other valuable research.
🔍 Phase 2: Selection – Crafting Our Roadmap (July – August)
Our focus? Introducing new degrees addressing critical workforce shortages and upskilling/reskilling needs for the next 5-10 years, promising significant societal impact and a broad market reach.
Our decision? To channel our energies on full BScs and MScs, and steer away from shorter courses or corporate-focused offerings. This aligns perfectly with our core mission.
💡 Focus Areas Unveiled!
We’re thrilled to concentrate on pivotal fields like:
- Cybersecurity
- Advanced AI
- Digital Business
- Metaverse & Gaming
- Cloud Computing (less “glamorous”, but market demand is undeniable).
🎓 Phase 3: Definition – Shaping the Degrees (August – November)
With an expert in each of the above fields, and with the strong collaboration of our Academic Director, Prof. Lorenzo Livi , we embarked on a rigorous “drill-down process”. Our goal? To meld modern theoretical knowledge with cutting-edge competencies and skills. This phase included interviewing over 60+ top academics, industry professionals, and students and get valuable, program-specific, insights from our Marketing department.
🌟 Phase 4: Accreditation and Launch – The Final Stretch
We’re currently in the accreditation process, gearing up for the launch. The focus is now shifting towards marketing, working closely with Greta Maiocchi and her Marketing and Admissions team. Together, we’re translating our new academic offering into a compelling value proposition for the market.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Far from being a temporary educational measure that came into its own during the pandemic, online education is providing students from all over the world with new ways to learn. That’s proven by statistics from Oxford Learning College, which point out that over 100 million students are now enrolled in some form of online course.
The demand for these types of courses clearly exists.
In fact, the same organization indicates that educational facilities that introduce online learning see a 42% increase in income – on average – suggesting that the demand is there.
Enter the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT).
Delivering three online courses – a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and two Master’s degrees – with more to come, OPIT is positioning itself as a leader in the online education space. But why is that? After all, many institutions are making the jump to e-learning, so what separates OPIT from the pack?
Here, you’ll discover the answers as you delve into the five reasons why you should trust OPIT for your online education.
Reason 1 – A Practical Approach
OPIT focuses on computer science education – a field in which theory often dominates the educational landscape. The organization’s Rector, Professor Francesco Profumo, makes this clear in a press release from June 2023. He points to a misalignment between what educators are teaching computer science students and what the labor market actually needs from those students as a key problem.
“The starting point is the awareness of the misalignment,” he says when talking about how OPIT structures its online courses. “That so-called mismatch is generated by too much theory and too little practical approach.” In other words, students in many classes spend far too much time learning the “hows” and “whys” behind computerized systems without actually getting their hands dirty with real work that gives them practical experience in using those systems.
OPIT takes a different approach.
It has developed a didactic approach that focuses far more on the practical element than other courses. That approach is delivered through a combination of classroom sessions – such as live lessons and masterclasses – and practical work offered through quizzes and exercises that mimic real-world situations.
An OPIT student doesn’t simply learn how computers work. They put their skills into practice through direct programming and application, equipping them with skills that are extremely attractive to major employers in the tech field and beyond.
Reason 2 – Flexibility Combined With Support
Flexibility in how you study is one of the main benefits of any online course.
You control when you learn and how you do it, creating an environment that’s beneficial to your education rather than being forced into a classroom setting with which you may not feel comfortable. This is hardly new ground. Any online educational platform can claim that it offers “flexibility” simply because it provides courses via the web.
Where OPIT differs is that it combines that flexibility with unparalleled support bolstered by the experiences of teachers employed from all over the world. The founder and director of OPIT, Riccardo Ocleppo, sheds more light on this difference in approach when he says, “We believe that education, even if it takes place physically at a distance, must guarantee closeness on all other aspects.” That closeness starts with the support offered to students throughout their entire study period.
Tutors are accessible to students at all times. Plus, every participant benefits from weekly professor interactions, ensuring they aren’t left feeling stuck on an educational “island” and have to rely solely on themselves for their education. OPIT further counters the potential isolation that comes with online learning with a Student Support team to guide students through any difficulties they may have with their courses.
In this focus on support, OPIT showcases one of its main differences from other online platforms.
You don’t simply receive course material before being told to “get on with it.” You have the flexibility to learn at your own pace while also having a support structure that serves as a foundation for that learning.
Reason 3 – OPIT Can Adapt to Change Quickly
The field of computer science is constantly evolving.
In the 2020s alone, we’ve seen the rise of generative AI – spurred on by the explosive success of services like ChatGPT – and how those new technologies have changed the way that people use computers.
Riccardo Ocleppo has seen the impact that these constant evolutions have had on students. Before founding OPIT, he was an entrepreneur who received first-hand experience of the fact that many traditional educational institutions struggle to adapt to change.
“Traditional educational institutions are very slow to adapt to this wave of new technologies and trends within the educational sector,” he says. He points to computer science as a particular issue, highlighting the example of a board in Italy of which he is a member. That board – packed with some of the country’s most prestigious tech universities – spent three years eventually deciding to add just two modules on new and emerging technologies to their study programs.
That left Ocleppo feeling frustrated.
When he founded OPIT, he did so intending to make it an adaptable institution in which courses were informed by what the industry needs. Every member of its faculty is not only a superb teacher but also somebody with experience working in industry. Speaking of industry, OPIT collaborates with major companies in the tech field to ensure its courses deliver the skills that those organizations expect from new candidates.
This confronts frustration on both sides. For companies, an OPIT graduate is one for which they don’t need to bridge a “skill gap” between what they’ve learned and what the company needs. For you, as a student, it means that you’re developing skills that make you a more desirable prospect once you have your degree.
Reason 4 – OPIT Delivers Tier One Education
Despite their popularity, online courses can still carry a stigma of not being “legitimate” in the face of more traditional degrees. Ocleppo is acutely aware of this fact, which is why he’s quick to point out that OPIT always aims to deliver a Tier One education in the computer science field.
“That means putting together the best professors who create superb learning material, all brought together with a teaching methodology that leverages the advancements made in online teaching,” he says.
OPIT’s degrees are all accredited by the European Union to support this approach, ensuring they carry as much weight as any other European degree. It’s accredited by both the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and the Malta Qualification Framework (MQF), with all of its courses having full legal value throughout Europe.
It’s also here where we see OPIT’s approach to practicality come into play via its course structuring.
Take its Bachelor’s degree in computer science as an example.
Yes, that course starts with a focus on theoretical and foundational knowledge. Building a computer and understanding how the device processes instructions is vital information from a programming perspective. But once those foundations are in place, OPIT delivers on its promises of covering the most current topics in the field.
Machine learning, cloud computing, data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity – all valuable to employers – are taught at the undergraduate level. Students benefit from a broader approach to computer science than most institutions are capable of, rather than bogging them down in theory that serves little practical purpose.
Reason 5 – The Learning Experience
Let’s wrap up by honing in on what it’s actually like for students to learn with OPIT.
After all, as Ocleppo points out, one of the main challenges with online education is that students rarely have defined checkpoints to follow. They can start feeling lost in the process, confronted with a metaphorical ocean of information they need to learn, all in service of one big exam at the end.
Alternatively, some students may feel the temptation to not work through the materials thoroughly, focusing instead on passing a final exam. The result is that those students may pass, but they do so without a full grasp of what they’ve learned – a nightmare for employers who already have skill gaps to handle.
OPIT confronts both challenges by focusing on a continuous learning methodology. Assessments – primarily practical – take place throughout the course, serving as much-needed checkpoints for evaluating progress. When combined with the previously mentioned support that OPIT offers, this approach has led to courses that are created from scratch in service of the student’s actual needs.
Choose OPIT for Your Computer Science Education
At OPIT, the focus lies as much on helping students to achieve their dream careers as it does on teaching them. All courses are built collaboratively. With a dedicated faculty combined with major industry players, such as Google and Microsoft, it delivers materials that bridge the skill gap seen in the computer science field today.
There’s also more to come.
Beyond the three degrees OPIT offers, the institution plans to add more. Game development, data science, and cloud computing, to name a few, will receive dedicated degrees in the coming months, accentuating OPIT’s dedication to adapting to the continuous evolution of the computer science industry. Discover OPIT today – your journey into computing starts with the best online education institution available.
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