Free Python for data science Courses & Certifications Online

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the best Python for Data Science courses available online! In today's data-driven world, Python has become the go-to programming language for data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. As the demand for data science skills continues to rise, mastering Python for data science is essential for anyone looking to excel in this field.

In this guide, we have carefully curated and reviewed the top Python for Data Science courses, taking into account factors such as course content, instructor expertise, student reviews, and job placement rates. By choosing a course from Shiksha online, you can be confident that you are investing in high-quality, industry-relevant education that will propel your data science career forward.

Whether you are new to data science or looking to advance your skills, these courses offer a range of learning opportunities suitable for all levels. Empower yourself with the knowledge and practical skills needed to harness the power of Python for data science and take your career to new heights!

Why Learn Python for Data Science in 2024?

1. High Demand for Data Scientists

1. Job Market Growth: The demand for data scientists is projected to grow by 28% by 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2. Career Opportunities: Companies across various industries are increasingly seeking skilled data scientists to leverage data for strategic decision-making.

2. Competitive Salaries

1. Attractive Compensation: Data scientists proficient in Python can command high salaries, with an average salary of around INR 15,00,000 per year in India.
2. Career Advancement: Mastery of Python opens doors to senior roles and specialized positions, further boosting earning potential.

3. Versatility and Ease of Learning

1. Beginner-Friendly Syntax: Python's simple and readable syntax makes it accessible to beginners and those transitioning from other fields.
2. Extensive Documentation: Python has comprehensive documentation and a supportive community, making it easier to find solutions and learn from others.

4. Extensive Libraries and Tools

1. Powerful Libraries: Python boasts a robust ecosystem of libraries tailored for data science, including Pandas for data manipulation, NumPy for numerical computations, and Scikit-Learn for machine learning.
2. Data Visualization: Libraries like Matplotlib and Seaborn enable the creation of insightful visualizations to communicate data findings effectively.

5. Industry Adoption

1. Corporate Usage: Major companies such as Google, Netflix, and IBM utilize Python for their data science projects, ensuring its relevance and demand in the industry.
2. Academic Endorsement: Prestigious institutions like MIT and Stanford offer Python-centric data science courses, highlighting its importance in the academic and professional spheres.

6. Cross-Platform and Open Source

1. Open Source Nature: Python is open source, meaning it is free to use and has a large community contributing to its development.
2. Cross-Platform Compatibility: Python runs on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility in development environments.

7. Integration with Big Data Technologies

1. Big Data Tools: Python integrates well with big data frameworks like Hadoop and Spark, making it suitable for handling large datasets and performing distributed computing.
2. Cloud Services: Python is widely supported by cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, enabling scalable data science solutions.

8. Continuous Evolution and Support

1. Regular Updates: Python receives regular updates and improvements, ensuring it stays current with the latest technological advancements.
2. Community Support: A vibrant community of developers and data scientists actively contribute to Python's growth, offering forums, tutorials, and resources for continuous learning.

What Will You Learn in Python for Data Science Courses?

Core Concepts of Python for Data Science

• Python Fundamentals

1. Variables and Data Types: Understand basic data types such as integers, floats, strings, and booleans, and learn how to use variables to store data.
2. Control Structures: Master control structures like loops (for, while) and conditionals (if, elif, else) to control the flow of your programs.
3. Functions and Modules: Learn to write reusable code with functions and organize your code using modules and packages.

• Data Manipulation

1. Pandas: Explore the Pandas library for data manipulation, including DataFrames, series, and various data transformation techniques.
2. NumPy: Use NumPy for numerical computations, including array operations, mathematical functions, and linear algebra.

• Statistical Analysis

1. Descriptive Statistics: Learn to calculate measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and dispersion (variance, standard deviation).
2. Inferential Statistics: Perform hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and regression analysis.

Advanced Topics in Python for Data Science

• Machine Learning

1. Supervised Learning: Understand supervised learning techniques, including regression, classification, and decision trees using Scikit-Learn.
2. Unsupervised Learning: Explore clustering and dimensionality reduction techniques such as K-Means and PCA.
3. Model Evaluation: Learn to evaluate model performance using metrics like accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and ROC-AUC.

• Data Visualization

1. Matplotlib: Create basic plots such as line graphs, bar charts, histograms, and scatter plots with Matplotlib.
2. Seaborn: Use Seaborn for advanced statistical visualizations, including heatmaps, pair plots, and violin plots.
3. Plotly: Develop interactive visualizations with Plotly for more engaging and dynamic data presentations.

• Big Data Tools

1. PySpark: Introduction to PySpark for handling and processing large datasets efficiently.
2. Data Lakes and Warehousing: Understand the basics of data lakes and data warehouses and how to interact with them using Python.

Practical Applications of Python for Data Science

• Real-World Projects

1. Project-Based Learning: Engage in projects that mimic real-world industry challenges, such as predicting house prices, sentiment analysis, and customer segmentation.
2. End-to-End Projects: Work on end-to-end data science projects that cover the entire data pipeline from data collection and cleaning to model building and deployment.

• Case Studies

1. Industry Case Studies: Analyze case studies from leading tech companies like Google, Netflix, and IBM to understand how they use Python for data-driven decision-making.
2. Business Problem Solving: Learn to frame business problems as data science problems and apply your skills to solve them.

Soft Skills and Professional Development

• Collaboration and Communication

1. Git and Version Control: Learn to use Git for version control and collaboration with other data scientists.
2. Effective Communication: Develop skills to communicate your findings effectively through reports, presentations, and visualizations.

• Job Readiness

1. Interview Preparation: Practice Python interview questions for data science roles, including coding challenges and theoretical questions.
2. Resume Building: Get tips on building a strong resume and online portfolio showcasing your data science projects and skills.

How to Choose the Best Python for Data Science Courses?

Selecting the right Python for a Data Science course is crucial for your learning and career development. Here are key questions to ask before enrolling:

1. What is the course curriculum?
1. Does it cover essential topics such as Python fundamentals, data manipulation, statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization?
2. Are advanced topics like big data tools, deep learning, or natural language processing included?
2. Who are the instructors?
1. Are the instructors experienced data scientists or educators with a proven track record in data science?
2. Do they have industry experience that can provide practical insights and real-world examples?
3. What is the course duration?
1. How long is the course, and does it fit your schedule and learning pace?
2. Is the course self-paced, allowing you to learn at your convenience, or does it follow a fixed schedule?
4. Are there hands-on projects?
1. Does the course include practical projects that allow you to apply what you’ve learned?
2. Are the projects based on real-world data and scenarios?
5. What is the cost?
1. Is the course within your budget, and does it offer good value for the price?
2. Are there any additional costs for materials, certification, or access to resources?
6. Are there student reviews?
1. What do past learners say about the course in terms of content quality, instructor effectiveness, and overall experience?
2. Are there any testimonials or case studies of students who have successfully transitioned into data science roles after taking the course?
7. Does the course offer a certification?
1. Does the course provide a recognized certification upon completion?
2. Is the certification valued by employers in the data science industry?
8. What resources and support are available?
1. Does the course provide access to resources like forums, study groups, or one-on-one mentoring?
2. Is there technical support available for any issues you might encounter during the course?

Best Python for Data Science Courses 

• Python for Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp
• Python for Data Science
• Python A-Z: Python For Data Science With Real Exercises!
• Python for Data Science by NPTEL
• Python Certification Training for Data Science
• Python Basics for Data Science
• Python Programming with Data Science
• Introduction to Data Science in Python
• Data Science Fundamentals with Python and SQL Specialization
• Python for Data Science and AI

Free Python for Data Science Course

Platform	Course Name	Duration	Cost	Key Features
NPTEL	NPTEL Python for Data Science	12 weeks	Free	Government certification, comprehensive curriculum, self-paced
EdX	Python for Data Science by Microsoft	6 weeks	Free (with option to pay for certification)	Industry-recognized, real-world case studies, self-paced
Kaggle	Python for Data Science and Machine Learning	Self-paced	Free	Hands-on coding, real-world datasets, competitions and challenges
Coursera	Python for Everybody by University of Michigan	5 months	Free (with option to pay for certification)	University certification, hands-on projects, beginner-friendly
Google	Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate	6 months	Free (with option to pay for certification)	Industry-recognized, beginner-friendly, hands-on labs
Udacity	Introduction to Python Programming	8 weeks	Free	Project-based learning, real-world applications, beginner-friendly
MIT OpenCourseWare	Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python	9 weeks	Free	Comprehensive curriculum, real-world applications, beginner-friendly

Top Python For Data Science Course From NPTEL

Course Name	Duration	Cost	Instructor(s)	Key Features
NPTEL Python for Data Science	12 weeks	Free	Dr. Ragunathan Rengasamy	Government certification, comprehensive curriculum, self-paced, real-world applications, industry-recognized, access to lecture notes and assignments
NPTEL Introduction to Python Programming	8 weeks	Free	Prof. Sudarshan Iyengar	Beginner-friendly, covers Python basics, assignments and quizzes, interactive learning
NPTEL Data Science for Engineers	8 weeks	Free	Dr. Ragunathan Rengasamy	Focus on data science principles, Python programming, real-world projects, hands-on assignments
NPTEL Programming, Data Structures, and Algorithms using Python	12 weeks	Free	Prof. Madhavan Mukund	Comprehensive programming concepts, data structures, algorithm design, hands-on exercises
NPTEL Machine Learning using Python	12 weeks	Free	Prof. Balaraman Ravindran	In-depth machine learning concepts, Python implementations, practical applications, projects

Best Python for Data Science Courses Available on Coursera

Course Name	Institution	Level	Duration
Python for Everybody	University of Michigan	Beginner	8 months
Data Science Specialization	Johns Hopkins University	Intermediate	11 months
Applied Data Science with Python Specialization	University of Michigan	Intermediate	5 months
IBM Data Science Professional Certificate	IBM	Beginner to Intermediate	11 months
Python Data Structures	University of Michigan	Beginner	4 weeks

Udemy Best Python for Data Science Course

Course Name	Instructor	Level	Duration
Complete Python for Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp	Jose Portilla	Beginner to Intermediate	25 hours
Python for Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp	Udemy	Beginner to Intermediate	21.5 hours
Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp with R	Kirill Eremenko, Hadelin de Ponteves, Ligency Team	Beginner	10 hours
Python A-Z™: Python For Data Science With Real Exercises!	Kirill Eremenko, Ligency Team	Beginner to Intermediate	11.5 hours
Machine Learning A-Z™: Hands-On Python & R In Data Science	Kirill Eremenko, Hadelin de Ponteves, Ligency Team	Intermediate	44.5 hours

DataCamp Best Python for Data Science Course

Course Name	Instructor	Level	Duration
Introduction to Python	Hugo Bowne-Anderson	Beginner	4 hours
Intermediate Python	Hugo Bowne-Anderson	Intermediate	4 hours
Python Data Science Toolbox (Part 1)	Hugo Bowne-Anderson	Intermediate	3 hours
Cleaning Data in Python	Alexey Grigorev	Intermediate	4 hours
Pandas Foundations	Dhavide Aruliah	Intermediate	3 hours