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Finding the right platform or course is never simple when you want to learn something modern. It involves a lot of trial and error, and the worst part is when you pay for it. You feel like you’re going around in circles, trying to find the best course that will elevate your career, but then you end up back at square one – and you’re hurting your pockets (sometimes a little, sometimes a lot).
That’s why I decided to put this article together so you can learn from my mistakes and gain all the data science knowledge you need – on a budget!
To combine: Understanding data science
Let’s start with DataCamp – an online learning platform offering a range of different courses. Their Understanding Data Science course is designed for beginners who want to get their feet damp in the world of data science. You don’t have to worry about coding experience either – because it’s not needed!
This is a 2-hour course consisting of 15 educational videos and 48 exercises! Divided into 4 sections, the first part of Introduction to Data Science is free and the remaining 3 sections require a degree membership. Membership prices are reasonable, and with it you’ll have access to the full library of DataCamps content, making it useful when you want to take additional courses.
To combine: Data science from scratch
This is for bookworms who prefer this method of learning. In Data Science from Scratch, you will learn about data science disciplines such as libraries, frameworks, modules, and toolkits. And also about how algorithms work and how they can be implemented from scratch.
If you’re looking for a crash course in Python and want to learn the basics of data science, delve into the basics of machine learning, and dive into the details, this book is for you.
To combine: Introduction to probability
10-Week Course FREE at Harvard! Probabilities are sometimes forgotten in many online bootcamp courses. However, it is crucial to understand the basics of data science. By understanding probabilities, you can transform yourself from a “good” data scientist to an “expert” data scientist.
In this course, you will learn about uncertainty and randomness, making good predictions, common probability distributions, and more. The course is free, but you can add a verified certificate for $209.
To combine: Python in a nutshell
Python has been considered one of the most popular programming languages for some time now – and for good reason. Its uncomplicated syntax has made it easier for people to easily transition into the world of data science. There is a demand for data scientists and Python has definitely paved the way.
This fourth edition of Python in a Nutshell consists of 26 chapters that will take you from Python beginner to absolute expert! From representing data in Python to debugging, this book has it all!
To combine: Data analysis using Python
Freecodecamp.org started as an organization that wanted to make learning accessible to everyone – hence the name. If you are looking for a course that will take you through everything, we highly recommend the Data Analysis with Python course. A lot has changed in the world of data science, especially in Python, SQL and more.
In this course, you’ll learn the absolute basics to becoming a data scientist, from reading your own data to using libraries to analyze it and create data visualizations.
With these 5 courses/platforms, you will be able to go from someone who had no experience in data science to improving your CV to apply for your first data science role. Data analysis continues to be a very popular role, and there’s no better time to start than now!
Nisha Arya is a data scientist, freelance technical writer, and editor and community manager of KDnuggets. She is particularly interested in providing career advice or tutorials in data analytics and theory-based knowledge in data analytics. Nisha covers a wide range of topics and wants to explore the different ways in which artificial intelligence can impact the longevity of human life. Nisha is an avid learner and strives to expand her technical knowledge and writing skills while helping others.