CS250: Python for Data Science
About This Course
CS250: Python for Data Science
Course Overview
Welcome to CS250: Python for Data Science! This comprehensive course provides a practical introduction to using Python for data analysis, manipulation, and visualization. Whether you’re a beginner with no prior programming experience or an experienced developer looking to expand your skillset, this course will equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to tackle real-world data science problems. We’ll start with the fundamentals of Python programming and gradually progress to advanced data science techniques. This course emphasizes hands-on learning, with numerous coding exercises, projects, and real-world datasets to reinforce your understanding.
What You Will Learn
- Python Fundamentals: Master the basics of Python syntax, data structures (lists, dictionaries, tuples, sets), control flow (loops, conditional statements), and functions.
- Data Manipulation with Pandas: Learn how to use the Pandas library to load, clean, transform, and analyze data efficiently. You’ll work with DataFrames and Series, perform data filtering, grouping, aggregation, and merging.
- Numerical Computing with NumPy: Explore the NumPy library for efficient numerical computation, including array creation, manipulation, and mathematical operations. You’ll learn how to vectorize operations for speed and performance.
- Data Visualization with Matplotlib and Seaborn: Create compelling visualizations to explore and communicate your data insights using Matplotlib and Seaborn. You’ll learn how to create various chart types, customize plots, and interpret visual patterns.
- Data Analysis and Statistics: Apply statistical techniques to analyze data, including descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. You’ll learn how to interpret statistical results and draw meaningful conclusions.
- Introduction to Machine Learning with Scikit-learn: Get a gentle introduction to machine learning using the Scikit-learn library. You’ll learn about supervised learning (classification and regression) and unsupervised learning (clustering).
- Working with Real-World Datasets: Practice your skills by working with a variety of real-world datasets from different domains, such as finance, healthcare, and marketing.
- Data Cleaning and Preprocessing: Learn essential data cleaning techniques to handle missing values, outliers, and inconsistent data.
- Data Wrangling and Transformation: Master techniques for reshaping, merging, and aggregating data to prepare it for analysis and modeling.
- Version Control with Git: Learn how to use Git for version control, allowing you to track changes, collaborate with others, and manage your code effectively.
Why Take This Course?
In today’s data-driven world, the ability to extract insights from data is a highly valuable skill. This course provides a comprehensive and practical introduction to Python for data science, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this rapidly growing field. You’ll learn from experienced instructors, work on real-world projects, and gain a portfolio of work that you can showcase to potential employers. CS250 will give you a solid foundation in the core concepts and tools of data science using Python. This course prioritizes hands-on experience, ensuring that you not only understand the theoretical concepts but can also apply them to solve real-world problems.
Career Benefits
Completing CS250: Python for Data Science will open doors to a wide range of career opportunities, including:
- Data Analyst: Analyze data to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can help organizations make better decisions.
- Data Scientist: Develop and implement machine learning models to solve complex business problems.
- Business Intelligence Analyst: Create dashboards and reports to visualize data and communicate insights to stakeholders.
- Machine Learning Engineer: Build and deploy machine learning models in production environments.
- Data Engineer: Design and build data pipelines to collect, process, and store data.
Furthermore, the skills you gain in this course are highly transferable and applicable to a variety of industries, including finance, healthcare, marketing, and technology.
Learning Objectives
Material Includes
- Downloadable course materials (code examples, datasets, slides)
- Access to online coding environment (Google Colab)
- Supplementary readings and resources
Requirements
- a:3:{i:0;s:23:"Basic computer literacy";i:1;s:72:"Familiarity with fundamental mathematical concepts (algebra, statistics)";i:2;s:67:"A computer with internet access and the ability to install software";}
Target Audience
- a:3:{i:0;s:46:"Beginners with no prior programming experience";i:1;s:52:"Experienced developers looking to learn data science";i:2;s:72:"Students and professionals interested in data analysis and visualization";}