Python Free Online Course with Certification [2024]

Updated on 21 May, 2024

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Python Free Online Course with Certification

Summary:

In this Article, you will learn about python free online course with certification.

  • Programming with Python: Introduction for Beginners
  • Learn Basic Python Programming
  • Python Libraries

Read more to know each in detail.

Want to become a data scientist but don’t know Python? Don’t worry; we’ve got your back. With our free online Python course for beginners, you can learn Python online free and kickstart your data science journey. You don’t have to spend a dime to enroll in this program. The only investment you’d have to make is 30 minutes a day for a few weeks, and by the end, you’d know how to use Python for data science. 

To enroll in our Python course free, head to our upGrad free course page, select the “Python course, and register. This article will discuss the basics of python and its industrial application, our course contents, and what its advantages are. Let’s get started. 

Why Learn Python?

Python is among the most popular programming languages on the planet. According to a survey from RedMonk, a prominent analyst firm, Python ranked 2nd in their ranking of programming languages by popularity.

Python became the first language other than Java or and JavaScript to enter the top two spots. You can see how relevant Python is in the current market. It’s a general-purpose programming language, which means you can use it for many tasks. Apart from data science, Python has applications in web development, machine learning, etc. 

Python is one of the most popular programming languages. Python is used for web development, game development, language development, etc. It helps in conducting complex statistical complications and performing data visualisation. It is compatible with various platforms and has an extensive library.

Top Python libraries are Numpy, Pandas, Scipy, Keras, Tensorflow, SciKit learn, Matplotlib, Plotly, Seaborn, Scrapy, and Selenium. These libraries serve different purposes such as some of them are for data processing, data modelling, data visualisation, and data mining.

You can also consider doing our Python Bootcamp course from upGrad to upskill your career.

In data science, Python has many applications. It has multiple libraries that simplify various data operations. For example, Pandas is a Python library for data analysis and manipulation. It offers numerous functions to manipulate vast quantities of structured data.

This way, it makes data analysis much more straightforward. Another primary Python library in data science is matplotlib, which helps you with data visualization. Python is one of the core skills of data science professionals. Learning it will undoubtedly help you in entering this field. 

Read: Python Applications in Real World

Python Installation and Setup

Python installation is a simple procedure. Visit the Python website to get hold of the most recent version. Take care to add python to your system’s PATH during installation. You can look for a free python course with certificate online to gain practical experience. Many platforms provide thorough training to assist you in understanding the essentials. After installing python, create and run your code using an integrated development environment (IDE). 

Don’t forget to look at python’s numerous libraries and frameworks, which can make development much simpler. As you advance through your python free course with certificate or python certification free put your newfound knowledge into practice by working on projects and practicing consistently. With perseverance, you’ll soon become an expert Python programmer, prepared to take on a variety of programming tasks.

Check out all trending Python tutorial concepts in 2024

Basic Python Syntax and Data Types

Any programming enthusiast must be familiar with the fundamental Python syntax and data structures. You will explore these fundamental ideas in your online python course free with certificate. Python is user-friendly for beginners because of its clear and accessible syntax. Line breaks are frequently used to end statements, and indentation is essential for code blocks. The python free certification course you have selected will walk you through variables, which are data storage units, and their naming conventions. Integers, floats, strings, and booleans are just a few of the different data types that python offers.

In the python course online free with certificate, you’ll discover how to format and concatenate strings. Lists, another data type, are mutable and used to hold collections of elements. Dictionary entries are stored as key-value pairs, but tuples, like lists, are immutable. Conditional statements like if, else, and elif aid in regulating the program’s flow. Repetitive jobs are made possible via loops like for and while.

The python free online course with certificate will place a strong emphasis on applying these ideas through exercises and projects as you progress through your learning process. By the end of the course, you’ll have a firm understanding of python’s syntax and data types and be prepared to go on to more advanced programming approaches.

Control Flow and Loops

In order to succeed as a programmer, you must master python’s control flow and loops. A thorough python certification course free will go through these topics in great detail. Your program can make decisions depending on conditions with the help of control flow structures like if, else, and elif.

Another important idea is the use of loops, which let your code carry out repeated actions. The python full course free with certificate will guide you through the two main forms of loops: for and while. You can iterate over sequences like lists or strings with the “for” loop. At the same time, a condition is true; a ‘while’ loop, on the other hand, keeps repeating.

By completing real-world examples and exercises in your chosen python free certification course, you’ll earn practical experience. Your comprehension of control flow and loops will become more robust as a result. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to design complex programs that efficiently make use of these structures. A solid understanding of control flow and loops is crucial when automating processes or creating intricate algorithms, and the correct course will provide you with these important skills.

Why Choose Python free course from upGrad?

There are many advantages to joining our Python free courses. Here are some of them:

Expert Instructors

At upGrad, our Python free course with certificate is given by a team of seasoned instructors, ensuring the best online learning experience for participants. Our instructors bring a wealth of industry knowledge and hands-on experience to the table, making the course not just educational but also practical and relevant to real-world scenarios.

The experts leading the upGrad Python free course with certificate have a proven track record in Python programming, data science, and related fields. Their backgrounds span diverse industries, including web development, machine learning, and data analysis.

This diversity ensures that learners gain insights into various applications of Python across different domains. The course content is designed by a collaborative effort of industry professionals and seasoned educators. This fusion of theoretical expertise and practical insights ensures that learners receive a well-rounded education in Python programming. The curriculum is continuously updated to reflect the latest industry trends, making it the best free online Python course with certificate for staying current in the dynamic field of technology. 

Our instructors excel not only in their subject matter expertise but also in their ability to convey complex concepts effectively. They leverage interactive teaching methods, making the learning process engaging and accessible.

This approach caters to participants of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals looking to enhance their skills. Participants of the upGrad free Python course with certificate can rest assured that they are learning from the best in the industry. The comprehensive nature of the course, coupled with the expertise of our instructors, makes it the go-to choice for those seeking a python free certification course that provides both quality education and a valuable certificate.

Hands-On Projects

In our Python free certification course at upGrad, we recognize the pivotal role hands-on experience plays in mastering Python programming. That’s why our course goes beyond theoretical instruction, offering a diverse range of practical, real-world projects that empower learners to apply their knowledge

Participants engage in online Python courses with certificates that feature hands-on projects designed to simulate industry challenges. These projects are carefully curated to align with the course curriculum, providing learners with a seamless transition from theory to practice. By actively working on these assignments, participants not only reinforce their understanding of Python concepts but also gain invaluable hands-on experience in solving authentic problems.

The emphasis on hands-on projects is crucial to our approach to an online Python course free with certificate. These projects serve as a bridge between theoretical learning and practical application, ensuring that learners are well-prepared for real-world scenarios. The skills honed through these projects contribute significantly to building a strong portfolio, showcasing the practical expertise gained during the course.

By completing these projects, participants not only earn their Python certification free but also graduate with a portfolio that reflects their ability to tackle complex challenges. This portfolio becomes a valuable asset for job seekers, demonstrating to potential employers their proficiency in Python programming through project-based accomplishments.

Interactive Learning Platform 

At upGrad, our Python programming online free course with certificate is not just about content delivery. It’s about creating an interactive learning environment through our user-friendly online platform. Designed to cater to learners of all levels, our platform promotes engagement and collaboration throughout the entire Python course. 

Our platform features discussion forums where participants can engage in meaningful conversations, share insights, and seek assistance from instructors and peers. This collaborative space enhances the sense of community, creating a supportive network for learners beginning their Python journey. Quizzes and interactive assignments are seamlessly integrated into the platform, allowing participants to assess their understanding in real-time. 

These assessments not only reinforce theoretical concepts learned during the Python free online course with certificate but also provide immediate feedback, helping in continuous improvement. The user-friendly interface ensures easy navigation, making the learning experience accessible to all. Learners can progress through the Python course online free with certificate at their own pace, accessing materials and resources effortlessly.

Cutting Edge Content

upGrad’s professionally created content ensures that you get the best online learning experience. The curriculum of the course is industry relevant and focuses on practical concepts. To be able to learn the concepts a curriculum which is strong is recommended. This is what upGrad recommends. And after finishing a course, there are practice questions that one can solve in order to gauge retention.

This free online python course for beginners is focused on the basics of python programming, It is a good opportunity for someone who is new to the field as it would take the learners on the journey step by step. It is also ideal for those learners who have been in the field for a long, so those candidates can brush up on their skills and revisit the concepts.

Community and Networking

Joining the upGrad Python community is not just about gaining a free Python certificate or completing a full course. It’s about becoming part of a strong network of learners, industry professionals, and alumni. Our platform thrives on developing connections that extend beyond the confines of the course, providing a comprehensive learning experience.

The strong community of learners offers a supportive environment where participants can engage in discussions, share insights, and seek advice. This collaborative atmosphere enhances the overall learning journey, making the Python course free with certificate an interactive and enriching experience.

Our platform facilitates interaction with industry professionals and alumni, providing unique insights into real-world applications and potential career paths. These connections go beyond the duration of the online Python course, serving as a valuable resource for ongoing learning and collaboration. Alumni networks often prove instrumental in opening doors to job opportunities, mentorship, and industry insights, making the upGrad Python full course free with certificate not just a learning platform but a gateway to a thriving professional community.

Skill Assessment and Feedback

In the upGrad Python free course with certificate, continuous skill assessment and personalized feedback mechanisms are integral components, setting it apart as the best free online python course with certificate. Throughout the program, participants engage in assessments strategically placed to evaluate their understanding of Python programming concepts.

These assessments, tailored to align with the course content, serve as checkpoints to measure individual progress. Regular quizzes and assignments in the online Python course free with certificate not only reinforce theoretical knowledge but also provide learners with immediate feedback. This constructive feedback is crucial in helping participants identify strengths and areas for improvement, contributing to a more targeted and personalized learning experience.

The importance of ongoing skill assessment cannot be overstated. It allows learners to track their progress systematically, ensuring that they understand each concept before moving forward. The feedback loop provided by these assessments becomes a valuable tool for self-reflection and improvement, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the Python free certification course. By integrating skill assessments and feedback into the Python full course free with certificate, upGrad ensures that learners receive a comprehensive educational experience.

Continuous Updates

upGrad’s commitment to offering the best free Python course with certificate is evident through our dedication to staying current with industry trends. Recognizing the dynamic nature of technology, we ensure that our Python programming online free course with certificate is continuously updated to reflect the latest advancements in the field.

The online free Python course content undergoes regular reviews and enhancements, aligning with the evolving landscape of Python programming. Our emphasis on providing a Python free online course with certificate that adapts to industry changes is crucial in preparing learners for the demands of real-world applications.

Learners can trust that the upGrad Python course is not static but dynamic, mirroring the rapid developments in Python programming. By staying ahead of the curve, our program equips participants with the most relevant skills and knowledge, ensuring they graduate well-prepared for the challenges of the industry.

Choosing a Python free course with certificate that prioritizes continuous updates is crucial for individuals seeking a program that evolves with the industry. This commitment reflects our dedication to offering a learning experience that remains at the forefront of technological advancements, making upGrad the ideal choice for those pursuing online Python courses with certificates that truly keep pace with the dynamic field of Python programming.

Free Certificate

After you complete our Python online course free, you’ll receive a certificate for completion. The certificate would enhance your CV substantially. 

Apart from these benefits, the biggest one is that you can join the course for free. It doesn’t require any monetary investment.

The free certificate is the validation of your knowledge. You could add the skill of knowing python to your CV and present the certificate in order to show authenticity. Also, the free certificate is shareable on LinkedIn. You could show your skill to potential recruiters. When you are appearing for any interview, or are looking to get promoted at your job these little things come to help where one can confidently show the document for the skillset that they have mentioned in the CV. It sets one apart from the rest of the candidates. 

Access to Additional Resources

In addition to our comprehensive Python programming online free course with certificate, upGrad provides participants with access to a wealth of supplementary resources, enriching the overall learning experience. Learners can benefit from webinars conducted by industry experts, offering insights into real-world applications and emerging trends in Python programming.

Our dedication to providing a comprehensive educational experience is demonstrated by our workshops, which offer practical knowledge beyond the main curriculum. These courses provide participants with invaluable opportunities to improve their problem-solving abilities and gain a deeper understanding of particular Python ideas.

Moreover, participants in the Python course online free with certificate gain access to additional reading materials curated to broaden their perspectives. By providing these supplementary resources, upGrad ensures that participants not only earn their free Python certificate but also gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Industry Recognition

Earning a Python certification free from upGrad signifies industry recognition, validating your proficiency in Python programming. This Python free certification holds substantial weight in the job market, demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning and skill development. upGrad’s Python course free with certificate is meticulously designed to align with industry standards, ensuring that participants acquire practical, in-demand skills.

As you complete online Python courses with certificates, you not only enhance your knowledge but also showcase your dedication to staying competitive in the ever-evolving tech landscape. This industry-recognized certification serves as a testament to your expertise, making you a sought-after candidate for Python-related roles and solidifying your position as a competent professional in the field. Additionally, the free Python course with certificate from upGrad adds significant value to your resume, opening doors to diverse opportunities.

Let’s now discuss what the course is about and what it will teach you:

Must read: Data structures and algorithms free course!

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What Will You Learn?

Learning Python is crucial for becoming a data scientist. It has many applications in this field, and without it, you can’t perform many vital operations related to data science. Because Python is a programming language, many students and professionals hesitate to study it.

They read about Python’s various applications in data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning and think it’s a highly complicated subject. However, Python is an elementary programming language that you can learn quickly. 

Our free Python online course for beginners covers this prominent programming language’s basics and helps you understand its fundamental uses in data science. Below are the list of courses available in Python:

  • Programming with Python: Introduction for Beginners
  • Learn Basic Python Programming
  • Python Libraries

These sections allow you to learn Python in a stepwise manner. Let’s discuss each one of these sections in detail:

Programming with Python: Python Free Online Course for Beginners

In this course, you’ll get a stepwise python tutorial. It will familiarize you with Python’s fundamentals, what it is, and how you can learn this programming language.

Apart from the basics, this section will explain the various jargons present in data science to you. You’ll get to know the meaning behind many technical terms data scientists usually use, including EDA, NLP, Deep Learning, Predictive Analytics, etc. Understanding what Python is will give you the foundation you need to study its more advanced concepts later on. 

When you’d know the meaning behind data science jargon, you would understand how straightforward this subject is. It’s an excellent method to get rid of your hesitation in learning data science. By the end of this course, you would be able to use data science jargon casually like another data professional. 

In the introduction, you will get to learn about the primary consoles, what are primary actions, what are statuses, and what important pointers. These topics will be covered in the introduction. The primary console is nothing but a media that takes the input front the user and then interprets it. In this opportunity to learn python online for free, you get to understand python programming from the basics. There is no compromise on imparting education.

Learn Basic Python Programming

This section of our course will teach you Python’s basics from a coding perspective, including strings, lists, and data structures. Data structures are one of the essential concepts you can study in data science.

The second topic would be concentrating on the basics of python that will be covering the introduction, history of python, how to do installation documentation, and what are arithmetic operations, and string operations. After the module would be over there would also be a focus on practice questions. These practice questions can be solved to understand how much understanding the learner has gotten. The learners upon answering will get the response to the questions on a real-time basis. Python online course free gives an opportunity to gain the skill of knowing python.

They help in organizing data so you can access it and perform operations on it quickly. Understanding data structures is vital to becoming a proficient data scientist. Many recruiters ask the candidates about data structures and their applications in technical interviews.

This module focuses on programming with Python in data science. So, it covers the basic concepts of many data structures, such as Tuples, sets, dictionaries etc. 

The curriculum would also be focusing on dictionaries, and how to map, filter, and reduce functions. It also will focus on the OOPs, class and objects, methods, inheritance, and overriding. They are very important topics, for example, the OOPs is a computer programming model. It includes methods, classes, objects, etc. OOPs is useful for creating and developing real-life applications.

Also visit upGrad’s Degree Counselling page for all undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

When you’re familiar with the basics, you can easily use them later in more advanced applications. For example, lists are among the most versatile data structures. They allow the storage of heterogeneous items (items of different data types) such as strings, integers, and even other lists.

Another prominent property that makes lists a preferred choice is they are mutable. This allows you to change their elements even after you create the list. This course will cover many other topics similar like this.

Our learners also read: Excel online course free!

Learn Python Libraries: NumPy, Matplotlib and Pandas

Python is popular among data scientists for many reasons. One of those reasons is its large number of libraries. There are more than 1,37,000 Python libraries. This number should give you an idea of how valuable these libraries are.

These libraries simplify specific processes and make it easier for developers to perform related functions. In this course for beginners, you’ll learn about multiple Python libraries data scientists use, such as NumPy, matplotlib, and Pandas. 

A Python library contains reusable code that helps you perform specific tasks with less effort. Unlike C or C++, its libraries don’t focus on a context. They are collections of modules. You can import a module from another program to use its functionality. Every Python library simplifies certain functions.

For example, with NumPy, you can perform mathematical operations in Python smoothly. It has many high-level mathematical functions and support for multi-dimensional matrices and arrays. Understanding these libraries will help you in performing operations on data.  

Pandas are used for better representation of the data, more work can be done with less coding in Pandas. It is a library of python for data analysis purposes. Pandas can be used for neuroscience, analytics, statistics, data science, advertising, etc.  

Matplotlib is a library for Python. It is used for data visualisation and graphical plotting. The APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) of the matplotlib can also be used to plot in GUI applications. 

Must Read: Python Project Ideas & Topics for Beginners

How to Start

To join our free online courses on python, follow the below mentioned steps:

  • Head to our upGrad Free Courses Page
  • Select the Python course
  • Click on Register
  • Complete the registration process

That’s it. You can learn python for free with upGrad’s Free Courses and get started with your data science journey. You’d only have to invest 30 minutes a day for a few weeks. This program requires no monetary investment. 

Sign up today and get started. 

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this topic, please let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you. 

If you are curious to learn about Python, data science, check out IIIT-B & upGrad’s Executive PG Programme in Data Science which is created for working professionals and offers 10+ case studies & projects, practical hands-on workshops, mentorship with industry experts, 1-on-1 with industry mentors, 400+ hours of learning and job assistance with top firms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the essential features of this course?

This course provides a number of features for free. This free Python course from upGrad is taught by the industry experts themselves and you can directly ask your doubts to them. It is professionally designed with cutting edge content so that you do not get a lousy syllabus and do not fall behind others.

Apart from that, this course provides you with live weekly sessions to not burden you. After the course completion, you will also get a course completion certificate certified by upGrad.

2. Why is Python considered to be the best programming language for Data Science?

Apart from the simplicity of the syntax and ease to learn, this programming language comes with a lot of advanced libraries with rich features. This makes Python one of the best programming languages for data science.

Not just the libraries, Python also has maintained its position to be the most flexible language in terms of scalability, speed, and reliability when compared to its peers such as R and Scala. It also has one of the most active communities that constantly keep on working to keep it updated and help developers across the globe.

3. How does the Python for data science course help me prepare for data science interviews?

This course will help you to build a strong foundation of the fundamental concepts and will resolve all your doubts about the subject. If you are good with basics, then 50% of the interview preparation is already done.

After completing the course, you must complete all the assignments included in the course followed by more practice from online resources. This much practise will boost your confidence and make you ready to ace any interview.

4. What are the main topics in Python?

Some of the important topics in Python are - Numbers, List, Tuple, Dictionary, Library,Methods,OOPs, Class, Objects.

5. What Python is used for?

Python is used for data analysis, web development, DevOps, Machine learning, Network Programming, etc. Python programming is not on;y easy to learn but also is one of the most secured programming languages. It has many features such as easy to write, portable, object- oriented, and standard libraries etc.

6. What is the salary of a python developer in India?

The salary of a python developer ranges from 2.0 LPA to 8.4 LPA and the average salary is 4.3 LPA. The salary increases with experience and skills. In order to procure more salary, one should invest their time into gauging more exeirnece and polish their skills.

7. How do I start coding?

Coding is a very important skill set to hone as it is very much in demand. In order to begin with coding, the following steps could be followed Data basics Data Architecture Text editor skills HTML basics CSS basics Learn basics Get the foundations sorted Start coding Practice.

8. Is python hard to learn?

When we take up something new, it appears hard to us. But as we get settled and get our foundations clear, we start to enjoy the process. Python is nothing different, it can appear hard to someone who is just starting out but it is not impossible. Actually, python is one of the best programming languages for beginners. Its syntax is somewhat similar to English, which increases its readability and understandability. And the more practice is done the better it becomes to get the hand of python.

9. Is Python in demand?

Python is very much in demand not only because of its better readability and understandability. But because of its wide application, it is widely used in multiple areas such as web development, game development, analysis, etc. Moreover, its syntax is similar to the English language, it is portable, highly secure, has multiple libraries, etc. All of these factors contribute to the popularity of python.

10. Is python enough to get a job?

To say that python is enough to get a job would be an unfair statement. There are other skill sets in order to land a job but python is not behind. In order to secure a job, one should be having other skillsets as well. But having the knowledge of python would be of immense importance as it would be useful to apply the knowledge to solve multiple problems.

11. Can I learn Python online for free?

Yes, you can learn Python online for free through various platforms, though UpGrad offers comprehensive courses that provide in-depth knowledge and industry-recognized certification.

Did you find this article helpful?

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is the Program Director for the UpGrad-IIIT Bangalore, PG Diploma Data Analytics Program.

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Much of a program’s value comes from who is creating and choosing its courses. There have been some decent course guides in the past from some universities, it’s all about who designs the program and whether they put deep and dense content and coverage into it, or whether they just think of data science as exactly the same as the old sort of data mining. The Theories on Theory A recurring theme throughout my conversations was the role of theory and its extension to practical approaches, case studies and live projects. A good recommendation to aspiring data scientists would be to find a university that offers a bachelor’s degree in data science. Learn it at the bachelor’s level and avoid getting mired in only deep theory at the PostGrad level. You’d think the master’s degree dealing with mostly theory would be better, but I don’t think so. By the time you get to the MS you’re working with the professors and they want to teach you a lot of theory. You’re going to learn things from a very academic point of view, which will help you, but only if you want to publish theoretical papers. Hence, universities, especially those framing a PostGrad degree in Data Science should make sure not to fall into orchestrating a curriculum with a long drawn theory-centric approach. Also, like many of the MOOCs out there, a minimum of a capstone project would be a must to give the students a more pragmatic view of data and working on it. It’s important to learn theory of course. I know too many ‘data scientists’ even at places like Google who wouldn’t be able to tell you what Bayes’ Theorem or conditional independence is, and I think data science unfortunately suffers from a lack of rigor at many companies. But the target implementation of the students, which would mostly be in corporate houses, dealing with real consumer or organizational data, should be finessed using either simulated practical approach or with collaboration with Data Science companies to give an opportunity to students to deal with real life projects dealing with data analysis and drawing out actual business insights. Our learners also read: Free Python Course with Certification upGrad’s Exclusive Data Science Webinar for you – ODE Thought Leadership Presentation document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/ppt-by-ode-infinity.mp4 Explore our Popular Data Science Online Certifications Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science for Business Decision Making Master of Science in Data Science from University of Arizona Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics from University of Maryland Data Science Online Certifications Don’t Forget About the Soft Skills In an article titled The Hard and Soft Skills of a Data Scientist, Todd Nevins provides a list of soft skills becoming more common in data scientist job requirements, including: Manage teams and projects across multiple departments on and offshore. Consult with clients and assist in business development. Take abstract business issues and derive an analytical solution. Top Data Science Skills You Should Learn SL. No Top Data Science Skills to Learn 1 Data Analysis Online Certification Inferential Statistics Online Certification 2 Hypothesis Testing Online Certification Logistic Regression Online Certification 3 Linear Regression Certification Linear Algebra for Analysis Online Certification The article also emphasizes the importance of these skills, and criticizes university programs for often leaving these skills out altogether: “There’s no real training about how to talk to clients, how to organize teams, or how to lead an analytics group.” Data science is still a rapidly evolving field and until the norms are more established, it’s unlikely every data scientist will be following the same path. A degree in data science will definitely act as the clay to make your career. But the part that really separates people who are successful from that are not is just a core curiosity and desire to answer questions that people have — to solve problems. Don’t do it because you think you can make a lot of money, chances are by the time you’re trained, you either don’t know the right stuff or there’s a hundred other people competing for the same position, so the only thing that’s going to stand out is whether you really like what you’re doing. Read our popular Data Science Articles Data Science Career Path: A Comprehensive Career Guide Data Science Career Growth: The Future of Work is here Why is Data Science Important? 8 Ways Data Science Brings Value to the Business Relevance of Data Science for Managers The Ultimate Data Science Cheat Sheet Every Data Scientists Should Have Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Become a Data Scientist A Day in the Life of Data Scientist: What do they do? Myth Busted: Data Science doesn’t need Coding Business Intelligence vs Data Science: What are the differences?
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by upGrad

03 May'16
Computer Center turns Data Center; Computer Science turns Data Science

5.12K+

Computer Center turns Data Center; Computer Science turns Data Science

(This article, written by Prof. S. Sadagopan, was originally published in Analytics India Magazine) There is an old “theory” that talks of “power shift” from “carrier” to “content” and to “control” as industry matures. Here are some examples In the early days of Railways, “action” was in “building railroads”; the “tycoons” who made billions were those “railroad builders”. Once enough railroads were built, there was more action in building “engines and coaches” – General Electric and Bombardier emerged; “power” shifted from “carrier” to “content”; still later, action shifted to “passenger trains” and “freight trains” – AmTrak and Delhi Metro, for example, that used the rail infrastructure and available engines and coaches / wagons to offer a viable passenger / goods transportation service; power shifted from “content” to “control”. The story is no different in the case of automobiles; “carrier” road-building industry had the limelight for some years, then the car and truck manufacturers – “content” – GM, Daimler Chrysler, Tata, Ashok Leyland and Maruti emerged – and finally, the “control”, transport operators – KSRTC in Bangalore in the Bus segment to Uber and Ola in the Car segment. In fact, even in the airline industry, airports become the “carrier”, airplanes are the “content” and airlines represent the “control” Learn data science courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. It is a continuum; all three continue to be active – carrier, content and control – it is just the emphasis in terms of market and brand value of leading companies in that segment, profitability, employment generation and societal importance that shifts. We are witnessing a similar “power shift” in the computer industry. For nearly six decades the “action” has been on the “carrier”, namely, computers; processors, once proprietary from the likes of IBM and Control Data, then to microprocessors, then to full blown systems built around such processors – mainframes, mini computers, micro computers, personal computers and in recent times smartphones and Tablet computers. Intel and AMD in processors and IBM, DEC, HP and Sun dominated the scene in these decades. A quiet shift happened with the arrival of “independent” software companies – Microsoft and Adobe, for example and software services companies like TCS and Infosys. Along with such software products and software services companies came the Internet / e-Commerce companies – Yahoo, Google, Amazon and Flipkart; shifting the power from “carrier” to “content”. Explore our Popular Data Science Courses Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science for Business Decision Making Master of Science in Data Science from University of Arizona Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics from University of Maryland Data Science Courses This shift was once again captured by the use of “data center” starting with the arrival of Internet companies and the dot-com bubble in late nineties. In recent times, the term “cloud data center” is gaining currency after the arrival of “cloud computing”. Though interest in computers started in early fifties, Computer Science took shape only in seventies; IITs in India created the first undergraduate program in Computer Science and a formal academic entity in seventies. In the next four decades Computer Science has become a dominant academic discipline attracting the best of the talent, more so in countries like India. With its success in software services (with $ 160 Billion annual revenue, about 5 million direct jobs created in the past 20 years and nearly 7% of India’s GDP), Computer Science has become an aspiration for hundreds of millions of Indians. With the shift in “power” from “computers” to “data” – “carrier” to “content” – it is but natural, that emphasis shifts from “computer science” to “data science” – a term that is in wide circulation only in the past couple of years, more in corporate circles than in academic institutions. In many places including IIIT Bangalore, the erstwhile Database and Information Systems groups are getting re-christened as “Data Science” groups; of course, for many acdemics, “Data Science” is just a buzzword, that will go “out of fashion” soon. Only time will tell! As far as we are concerned, the arrival of data science represents the natural progression of “analytics”, that will use the “data” to create value, the same way Metro is creating value out of railroad and train coaches or Uber is creating value out of investments in road and cars or Singapore Airlines creating value out of airport infrastructure and Boeing / Airbus planes. More important, the shift from “carrier” to “content” to “control” also presents economic opportunities that are much larger in size. We do expect the same from Analytics as the emphasis shifts from Computer Science to Data Science to Analytics. Computers originally created to “compute” mathematical tables could be applied to a wide range of problems across every industry – mining and machinery, transportation, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, banking & financial services, education, healthcare and Government; in the same vein, Analytics that is currently used to summarize, visualize and predict would be used in many ways that we cannot even dream of today, the same way the designers of computer systems in 60’s and 70’s could not have predicted the varied applications of computers in the subsequent decades. We are indeed in exciting times and you the budding Analytics professional could not have been more lucky. Announcing PG Diploma in Data Analytics with IIT Bangalore – To Know more about the Program Visit – PG Diploma in Data Analytics. Top Data Science Skills to Learn to upskill SL. No Top Data Science Skills to Learn 1 Data Analysis Online Courses Inferential Statistics Online Courses 2 Hypothesis Testing Online Courses Logistic Regression Online Courses 3 Linear Regression Courses Linear Algebra for Analysis Online Courses upGrad’s Exclusive Data Science Webinar for you – ODE Thought Leadership Presentation document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/ppt-by-ode-infinity.mp4 Read our popular Data Science Articles Data Science Career Path: A Comprehensive Career Guide Data Science Career Growth: The Future of Work is here Why is Data Science Important? 8 Ways Data Science Brings Value to the Business Relevance of Data Science for Managers The Ultimate Data Science Cheat Sheet Every Data Scientists Should Have Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Become a Data Scientist A Day in the Life of Data Scientist: What do they do? Myth Busted: Data Science doesn’t need Coding Business Intelligence vs Data Science: What are the differences? Our learners also read: Free Online Python Course for Beginners About Prof. S. Sadagopan Professor Sadagopan, currently the Director (President) of IIIT-Bangalore (a PhD granting University), has over 25 years of experience in Operations Research, Decision Theory, Multi-criteria optimization, Simulation, Enterprise computing etc. His research work has appeared in several international journals including IEEE Transactions, European J of Operational Research, J of Optimization Theory & Applications, Naval Research Logistics, Simulation and Decision Support Systems. He is a referee for several journals and serves on the editorial boards of many journals.
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by Prof. S. Sadagopan

11 May'16
Enlarge the analytics & data science talent pool

5.18K+

Enlarge the analytics & data science talent pool

Note: The articlewas originally written by Sameer Dhanrajani, Business Leader at Cognizant Technology Solutions. A Better Talent acquisition Framework Although many articles have been written lamenting the current talent shortage in analytics and data science, I still find that the majority of companies could improve their success by simply revamping their current talent acquisition processes. Learn data science courses online from the World’s top Universities. Earn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. We’re all well aware that strong quantitative professionals are few and far between, so it’s in a company’s best interest to be doing everything in their power to land qualified candidates as soon as they find them. It’s a candidate’s market, with strong candidates going on and off the market lightning fast, yet many organizational processes are still slow and outdated. These sluggish procedures are not equipped to handle many candidates who are fielding multiple offers from other companies who are just as hungry (if not more so) for quantitative talent. Here are the key areas I would change to make hiring processes more competitive: Fix your salary bands – It (almost) goes without saying that if your salary offerings are outdated or aren’t competitive to the field, it will be difficult for you to get the attention of qualified candidates; stay topical with relevant compensation grids. Consider one-time bonuses – Want to make your offer compelling but can’t change the salary? Sign-on bonuses and relocation packages are also frequently used, especially near the end of the year, when a candidate is potentially walking away from an earned bonus; a sign-on bonus can help seal the deal. Be open to other forms of compensation – There are plenty of non-monetary ways to entice Quants to your company, like having the latest tools, solving challenging problems, organization-wide buy-in for analytics and more. Other things to consider could be flexible work arrangements, remote options or other unique perks. Pick up the pace – Talented analytics professionals are rare, and the chances that qualified candidates will be interviewing with multiple companies are very high. Don’t hesitate to make an offer if you find what you’re looking for at a swift pace – your competitors won’t. Court the candidate – Just as you want a candidate who stands out from the pack, a candidate wants a company that makes an effort to stand apart also. I read somewhere, a client from Chicago sent an interviewing candidate and his family pizzas from a particularly tasty restaurant in the city. I can’t say for sure that the pizza was what persuaded him to take the company’s offer, but a little old-fashioned wooing never hurts. Button up the process – Just as it helps to have an expedited process, it also works to your benefit is the process is as smooth and trouble-free as you can make it. This means hassle-free travel arrangements, on-time interviews, and quick feedback. Network – make sure that you know the best of the talent available in the market at all levels and keep in touch with them thru porfessional social sites on subtle basis as this will come handy in picking the right candidate on selective basis Redesigned Interview Process In the old days one would screen resumes and then schedule lots of 1:1’s. Typically people would ask questions aimed at assessing a candidate’s proficiency with stats, technicality, and ability to solve problems. But there were three problems with this – the interviews weren’t coordinated well enough to get a holistic view of the candidate, we were never really sure if their answers would translate to effective performance on the job, and from the perspective of the candidate it was a pretty lengthy interrogation. So, a new interview process need to be designed that is much more effective and transparent – we want to give the candidate a sense for what a day in the life of a member on the team is like, and get a read on what it would be like to work with a company. In total it takes about two days to make a decision, and there be no false positives (possibly some false negatives though), and the feedback from both the candidates and the team members has been positive. There are four steps to the process: Resume/phone screens – look for people who have experience using data to drive decisions, and some knowledge of what your company is all about. On both counts you’ll get a much deeper read later in the process; you just want to make sure that moving forward is a good use of either of both of your time. Basic data challenge – The goal here is to validate the candidate’s ability to work with data, as described in their resume. So send a few data sets to them and ask a basic question; the exercise should be easy for anyone who has experience. In-house data challenge – This is should be the meat of the interview process. Try to be as transparent about it as possible – they’ll get to see what it’s like working with you and vice versa. So have the candidate sit with the team, give them access to your data, and a broad question. They then have the day to attack the problem however they’re inclined, with the support of the people around them. Do encourage questions, have lunch with them to ease the tension, and check-in periodically to make sure they aren’t stuck on something trivial. At the end of the day, we gather a small team together and have them present their methodology and findings to you. Here, look for things like an eye for detail (did they investigate the data they’re relying upon for analysis), rigor (did they build a model and if so, are the results sound), action-oriented (what would we do with what you found), and communication skills. Read between the resume lines Intellectual curiosity is what you should discover from the project plans. It’s what gives the candidate the ability to find loopholes or outliers in data that helps crack the code to find the answers to issues like how a fraudster taps into your system or what consumer shopping behaviors should be considered when creating a new product marketing strategy. Data scientists find the opportunities that you didn’t even know were in the realm of existence for your company. They also find the needle in the haystack that is causing a kink in your business – but on an entirely monumental scale. In many instances, these are very complex algorithms and very technical findings. However, a data scientist is only as good as the person he must relay his findings to. Others within the business need to be able to understand this information and apply these insights appropriately. Explore our Popular Data Science Courses Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science for Business Decision Making Master of Science in Data Science from University of Arizona Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics from University of Maryland Data Science Courses Good data scientists can make analogies and metaphors to explain the data but not every concept can be boiled down in layman’s terms. A space rocket is not an automobile and, in the brave new world, everyone must make this paradigm shift. Top Data Science Skills You Should Learn SL. No Top Data Science Skills to Learn 1 Data Analysis Online Certification Inferential Statistics Online Certification 2 Hypothesis Testing Online Certification Logistic Regression Online Certification 3 Linear Regression Certification Linear Algebra for Analysis Online Certification upGrad’s Exclusive Data Science Webinar for you – Watch our Webinar on The Future of Consumer Data in an Open Data Economy document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/sashi-edupuganti.mp4 Read our popular Data Science Articles Data Science Career Path: A Comprehensive Career Guide Data Science Career Growth: The Future of Work is here Why is Data Science Important? 8 Ways Data Science Brings Value to the Business Relevance of Data Science for Managers The Ultimate Data Science Cheat Sheet Every Data Scientists Should Have Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Become a Data Scientist A Day in the Life of Data Scientist: What do they do? Myth Busted: Data Science doesn’t need Coding Business Intelligence vs Data Science: What are the differences? Our learners also read: Free Python Course with Certification And lastly, the data scientist you’re looking for needs to have strong business acumen. Do they know your business? Do they know what problems you’re trying to solve? And do they find opportunities that you never would have guessed or spotted?
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by upGrad

14 May'16
UpGrad partners with Analytics Vidhya

5.67K+

UpGrad partners with Analytics Vidhya

We are happy to announce our partnership with Analytics Vidhya, a pioneer in the Data Science community. Analytics Vidhya is well known for its impressive knowledge base, be it the hackathons they organize or tools and frameworks that they help demystify. In their own words, “Analytics Vidhya is a passionate community for Analytics/Data Science professionals, and aims at bringing together influencers and learners to augment knowledge”. Explore our Popular Data Science Degrees Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science for Business Decision Making Master of Science in Data Science from University of Arizona Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics from University of Maryland Data Science Degrees We are joining hands to provide candidates of our PG Diploma in Data Analytics, an added exposure to UpGrad Industry Projects. While the program already covers multiple case studies and projects in the core curriculum, these projects with Analytics Vidhya will be optional for students to help them further hone their skills on data-driven problem-solving techniques. To further facilitate the learning, Analytics Vidhya will also be providing mentoring sessions to help our students with the approach to these projects. Our learners also read: Free Online Python Course for Beginners Top Essential Data Science Skills to Learn SL. No Top Data Science Skills to Learn 1 Data Analysis Certifications Inferential Statistics Certifications 2 Hypothesis Testing Certifications Logistic Regression Certifications 3 Linear Regression Certifications Linear Algebra for Analysis Certifications This collaboration brings great value to the program by allowing our students to add another dimension to their resume which goes beyond the capstone projects and case studies that are already a part of the program. Read our popular Data Science Articles Data Science Career Path: A Comprehensive Career Guide Data Science Career Growth: The Future of Work is here Why is Data Science Important? 8 Ways Data Science Brings Value to the Business Relevance of Data Science for Managers The Ultimate Data Science Cheat Sheet Every Data Scientists Should Have Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Become a Data Scientist A Day in the Life of Data Scientist: What do they do? Myth Busted: Data Science doesn’t need Coding Business Intelligence vs Data Science: What are the differences? Through this, we hope our students would be equipped to showcase their ability to dissect any problem statement and interpret what the model results mean for business decision making. This also helps us to differentiate UpGrad-IIITB students in the eyes of the recruiters. upGrad’s Exclusive Data Science Webinar for you – Transformation & Opportunities in Analytics & Insights document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/jai-kapoor.mp4 Check out our data science training to upskill yourself
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by Omkar Pradhan

09 Oct'16
Data Analytics Student Speak: Story of Thulasiram

5.68K+

Data Analytics Student Speak: Story of Thulasiram

When Thulasiram enrolled in the UpGrad Data Analytics program, in its first cohort, he was not very different for us, from the rest of our students in this. While we still do not and should not treat learners differently, being in the business of education – we definitely see this particular student in a different light. His sheer resilience and passion for learning shaped his success story at UpGrad. Humble beginnings Born in the small town of Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, Thulasiram does not remember much of his childhood given that he enlisted in the Navy at a very young age of about 15 years. Right out of 10th standard, he trained for four years, acquiring a diploma in mechanical engineering. Thulasiram came from humble means. His father was the manager of a small general store and his mother a housewife. It’s difficult to dream big when leading a sheltered life with not many avenues for exposure to unconventional and exciting opportunities. But you can’t take learning out of the learner. “One thing I remember about school is our Math teacher,” reminisces Thulasiram, “He used to give us lot of puzzles to solve. I still remember one puzzle. If you take a chessboard and assume that all pawns are queens; you have to arrange them in such a way that none of the eight pawns should die. Every queen, should not affect another queen. It was a challenging task, but ultimately we did it, we solved it.” Navy & MBA At 35 years of age, Thulasiram has been in the navy for 19 years. Presently, he is an instructor at the Naval Institute of Aeronautical Technology. “I am from the navy and a lot of people don’t know that there is an aviation wing too. So, it’s like a dream; when you are a small child, you never dream of touching an aircraft, let alone maintaining it. I am very proud of doing this,” says Thulasiram on taking the initiative to upskill himself and becoming a naval-aeronautics instructor. When the system doesn’t push you, you have to take the initiative yourself. Thulasiram imbibed this attitude. He went on to enroll in an MBA program and believes that the program drastically helped improve his communication skills and plan his work better. How Can You Transition to Data Analytics? Data Analytics Like most of us, Thulasiram began hearing about the hugely popular and rapidly growing domain of data analytics all around him. Already equipped with the DNA of an avid learner and keen to pick up yet another skill, Thulasiram began researching the subject. He soon realised that this was going to be a task more rigorous and challenging than any he had faced so far. It seemed you had to be a computer God, equipped with analytical, mathematical, statistical and programming skills as prerequisites – a list that could deter even the most motivated individuals. This is where Thulsiram’s determination set him apart from most others. Despite his friends, colleagues and others that he ran the idea by, expressing apprehension and deterring him from undertaking such a program purely with his interests in mind – time was taken, difficulty level, etc. – Thulasiram, true to the spirit, decided to pursue it anyway. Referring to the crucial moment when he made the decision, he says, If it is easy, everybody will do it. So, there is no fun in doing something which everybody can do. I thought, let’s go for it. Let me push myself — challenge myself. Maybe, it will be a good challenge. Let’s go ahead and see whether I will be able to do it or not. UpGrad Having made up his mind, Thulasiram got straight down to work. After some online research, he decided that UpGrad’s Data Analytics program, offered in collaboration with IIIT-Bangalore that awarded a PG Diploma on successful completion, was the way to go. The experience, he says, has been nothing short of phenomenal. It is thrilling to pick up complex concepts like machine learning, programming, or statistics within a matter of three to four months – a feat he deems nearly impossible had the source or provider been one other than UpGrad. Our learners also read: Top Python Free Courses Favorite Elements Ask him what are the top two attractions for him in this program and, surprising us, he says deadlines! Deadlines and assignments. He feels that deadlines add the right amount of pressure he needs to push himself forward and manage time well. As far as assignments are concerned, Thulasiram’s views resonate with our own – that real-life case studies and application-based learning goes a long way. Working on such cases and seeing results is far superior to only theoretical learning. He adds, “flexibility is required because mostly only working professionals will be opting for this course. You can’t say that today you are free, because tomorrow some project may be landing in your hands. So, if there is no flexibility, it will be very difficult. With flexibility, we can plan things and maybe accordingly adjust work and family and studies,” giving the UpGrad mode of learning, yet another thumbs-up. Amongst many other great things he had to say, Thulasiram was surprised at the number of live sessions conducted with industry professionals/mentors every week. Along with the rest of his class, he particularly liked the one conducted by Mr. Anand from Gramener. Top Data Science Skills to Learn to upskill SL. No Top Data Science Skills to Learn 1 Data Analysis Online Courses Inferential Statistics Online Courses 2 Hypothesis Testing Online Courses Logistic Regression Online Courses 3 Linear Regression Courses Linear Algebra for Analysis Online Courses What Kind of Salaries do Data Scientists and Analysts Demand? Get data science certification from the World’s top Universities. Learn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. Read our popular Data Science Articles Data Science Career Path: A Comprehensive Career Guide Data Science Career Growth: The Future of Work is here Why is Data Science Important? 8 Ways Data Science Brings Value to the Business Relevance of Data Science for Managers The Ultimate Data Science Cheat Sheet Every Data Scientists Should Have Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Become a Data Scientist A Day in the Life of Data Scientist: What do they do? Myth Busted: Data Science doesn’t need Coding Business Intelligence vs Data Science: What are the differences? upGrad’s Exclusive Data Science Webinar for you – ODE Thought Leadership Presentation document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/ppt-by-ode-infinity.mp4 Explore our Popular Data Science Courses Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science for Business Decision Making Master of Science in Data Science from University of Arizona Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics from University of Maryland Data Science Courses “Have learned most here, only want to learn..” Interested only in learning, Thulasiram made this observation about the program – compared to his MBA or any other stage of life. He signs off calling it a game-changer and giving a strong recommendation to UpGrad’s Data Analytics program. We are truly grateful to Thulasiram and our entire student community who give us the zeal to move forward every day, with testimonials like these, and make the learning experience more authentic, engaging, and truly rewarding for each one of them. If you are curious to learn about data analytics, data science, check out IIIT-B & upGrad’s PG Diploma in Data Science which is created for working professionals and offers 10+ case studies & projects, practical hands-on workshops, mentorship with industry experts, 1-on-1 with industry mentors, 400+ hours of learning and job assistance with top firms.
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by Apoorva Shankar

07 Dec'16
Decoding Easy vs. Not-So-Easy Data Analytics

5.12K+

Decoding Easy vs. Not-So-Easy Data Analytics

Authored by Professor S. Sadagopan, Director – IIIT Bangalore. Prof. Sadagopan is one of the most experienced academicians on the expert panel of UpGrad & IIIT-B PG Diploma Program in Data Analytics. As a budding analytics professional confounded by jargon, hype and overwhelming marketing messages that talk of millions of upcoming jobs that are paid in millions of Rupees, you ought to get clarity about the “real” value of a data analytics education. Here are some tidbits – that should hopefully help in reducing your confusion. Some smart people can use “analytical thinking” to come up with “amazing numbers”; they are very useful but being “intuitive”, they cannot be “taught.” For example: Easy Analytics Pre-configuring ATMs with Data Insights  “We have the fastest ATM on this planet” Claimed a respected Bank. Did they get a new ATM made especially for them? No way. Some smart employee with an analytical mindset found that 90% of the time that users go to an ATM to withdraw cash, they use a fixed amount, say Rs 5,000. So, the Bank re-configured the standard screen options – Balance Inquiry, Withdrawal, Print Statement etc. – to include another option. Withdraw XYZ amount, based on individual customer’s past actions. This ended up saving one step of ATM operation. Instead of selecting the withdrawal option and then entering the amount to be withdrawn, you could now save some time – making the process more convenient and intuitive. A smart move indeed, however, this is something known as “Easy Analytics” that others can also copy. In fact, others DID copy, within three months! A Start-Up’s Guide to Data Analytics Hidden Data in the Weather In the sample data-sets that used to accompany a spreadsheet product in the 90’s, there used to be data on the area and population of every State in the United States. There was also an exercise to teach the formula part of the spreadsheet to compute the population density (population per sq. km). New Jersey, with a population of 467 per sq. km, is the State with the highest density. While teaching a class of MBA students in New Jersey, I met an Indian student who figured out that in terms of population density, New Jersey is more crowded than India with 446 people per sq. km!  An interesting observation, although comparing a State with a Country is a bit misleading. Once again, an Easy Analytics exercise leading to a “nice” observation! Some simple data analytics exercises can be routinely done, and are made relatively easier, thanks to amazing tools: B-School Buying Behavior Decoded In a B-School in India that has a store on campus, (campus is located far from the city center) some smart students put several years of sales data of their campus store. They were excited by the phenomenal computer power and near, idiot-proof analytics software. The real surprise, however, was that eight items accounted for 85% of their annual sales. More importantly, these eight items were consumed in just six days of the year! Everyone knew that a handful of items were the only fast-moving items, but they did not know the extent (85%) or the intensity (consumption in just six days) of this. It turns out that in the first 3 days of the semester the students would stock the items for the full semester! The B-School found it sensible to request a nearby store to prop up a temporary stall for just two weeks at the beginning of the semesters and close down the Campus Store. This saved useful space and costs without causing major inconvenience to the students. A good example of Easy Analytics done with the help of a powerful tool. Top 4 Data Analytics Skills You Need to Become an Expert! The “Not So Easy” Analytics needs deep analytical understanding, tools, an ‘analytical mindset’ and some hard work. Here are two examples, one taken from way back in the 70’s and the other occurring very recently: Not-So-Easy Analytics To Fly or Not to Fly, That is the Question Long ago, the American Airlines perfected planned overbooking of airline seats, thanks to SABRE Airline Reservation system that managed every airline seat. Armed with detailed past data of ‘empty seats’ and ‘no show’ in every segment of every flight for every day through the year, and modeling airline seats as perishable commodities, the American Airlines was able to improve yield, i.e., utilization of airplane capacity. They did this through planned overbooking – selling more tickets than the number of seats, based on projected cancellations. Explore our Popular Data Science Online Certifications Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science for Business Decision Making Master of Science in Data Science from University of Arizona Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics from University of Maryland Data Science Online Certifications If indeed more passengers showed up than the actual number of seats, American Airlines would request anyone volunteering to forego travel in the specific flight, with the offer to fly them by the next flight (often free) and taking care of hotel accommodation if needed. Sometimes, they would even offer cash incentives to the volunteer to opt-out. Using sophisticated Statistical and Operational Research modeling, American Airlines would ensure that the flights went full and the actual incidents of more passengers than the full capacity, was near zero. In fact, many students would look forward to such incidents so that they could get incentives, (in fact, I would have to include myself in this list) but rarely were they rewarded!) upGrad’s Exclusive Data Science Webinar for you – Transformation & Opportunities in Analytics & Insights document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/jai-kapoor.mp4 What American Airlines started as an experiment has become the standard industry practice over the years. Until recently, a team of well-trained (often Ph.D. degree holders) analysts armed with access to enormous computing power, was needed for such an analytics exercise to be sustained. Now, new generation software such as the R Programming language and powerful desktop computers with significant visualization/graphics power is changing the world of data analytics really fast. Anyone who is well-trained (not necessarily requiring a Ph.D. anymore) can become a first-rate analytics professional. Top Data Science Skills You Should Learn SL. No Top Data Science Skills to Learn 1 Data Analysis Online Certification Inferential Statistics Online Certification 2 Hypothesis Testing Online Certification Logistic Regression Online Certification 3 Linear Regression Certification Linear Algebra for Analysis Online Certification Unleashing the Power of Data Analytics Our learners also read: Free Python Course with Certification Read our popular Data Science Articles Data Science Career Path: A Comprehensive Career Guide Data Science Career Growth: The Future of Work is here Why is Data Science Important? 8 Ways Data Science Brings Value to the Business Relevance of Data Science for Managers The Ultimate Data Science Cheat Sheet Every Data Scientists Should Have Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Become a Data Scientist A Day in the Life of Data Scientist: What do they do? Myth Busted: Data Science doesn’t need Coding Business Intelligence vs Data Science: What are the differences?   Cab Out of the Bag Uber is yet another example displaying how the power of data analytics can disrupt a well-established industry. Taxi-for-sure in Bangalore and Ola Cabs are similar to Uber. Together, these Taxi-App companies (using a Mobile App to hail a taxi, the status monitor the taxi, use and pay for the taxi) are trying to convince the world to move from car ownership to on-demand car usage. A simple but deep analytics exercise in the year 2008 gave such confidence to Uber that it began talking of reducing car sales by 25% by the year 2025! After building the Uber App for iPhone, the Uber founder enrolled few hundreds of taxi customers in San Francisco and few hundreds of taxi drivers in that area as well. All that the enrolled drivers had to do was to touch the Uber App whenever they were ready for a customer. Similarly, the enrolled taxi customers were requested to touch the Uber App whenever they were looking for a taxi. Thanks to the internet-connected phone (connectivity), Mobile App (user interface), GPS (taxi and end-user location) and GIS (location details), Uber could try connecting the taxi drivers and the taxi users. The real insight was that nearly 90% of the time, taxi drivers found a customer, less than 100 meters away! In the same way, nearly 90% of the time, taxi users were connected with their potential drivers in no time, not too far away. Unfortunately, till the Uber App came into existence, riders and taxi drivers had no way of knowing this information. More importantly, they both had no way of reaching each other! Once they had this information and access, a new way of taxi-hailing could be established. With back-end software to schedule taxis, payment gateway and a mobile payment mechanism, a far more superior taxi service could be established. Of course, near home, we had even better options like Taxi-for-sure trying to extend this experience even to auto rickshaws. The rest, as they say, is “history in the making!” Deep dive courses in data analytics will help prepare you for such high impact applications. It is not easy, but do remember former US President Kennedy’s words “we chose to go to the Moon not because it is easy, but because it is hard!” Get data science certification from the World’s top Universities. Learn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career.  
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by Prof. S. Sadagopan

14 Dec'16
Launching UpGrad’s Data Analytics Roadshow – Are You Game?

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Launching UpGrad’s Data Analytics Roadshow – Are You Game?

We, at UpGrad, are excited to announce a brand new partnership with various thought leaders in the Data Analytics industry – IIIT Bangalore, Genpact, Analytics Vidhya and Gramener – to bring to you a one-of-a-kind Analytics Roadshow! As part of this roadshow, we will be conducting several back-to-back events that focus on different aspects of analytics, creating interaction points across India, to do our bit for a future ready and analytical, young workforce.  Also Read: Analytics Vidhya article on the UpGrad Data Analytics Roadshow Here is the line-up for the roadshow, to give you a better sense of what to expect: 9 webinars – These webinars (remote) will be conducted by industry experts and are aimed at increasing analytics awareness, providing a way for aspirants to interact with industry practitioners and getting their tough questions answered. 11 workshops – The workshops will be in-person events to take these interactions to the next level. These would be spread across 6 cities – Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Pune. So, if you are in any of these cities, we are looking forward to interact with you. Featured Data Science program for you: Master of Science in Data Science from from IIIT-B 2 Conclaves – These conclaves are larger events with a pre-defined agendas and time for networking. The first conclave is happening on the 17th of December in Bengaluru.  Explore our Popular Data Science Online Certifications Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science for Business Decision Making Master of Science in Data Science from University of Arizona Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics from University of Maryland Data Science Online Certifications Hackathon – Time to pull up your sleeves and showcase your nifty skills. We will be announcing the format of the event shortly. “We find that the IT in­dustry is ab­sorb­ing al­most half of all of the ana­lyt­ics jobs. Banking is the second largest, but trails at al­most one fourth of IT’s re­cruit­ing volume. It is in­ter­est­ing that data rich in­dus­tries like Retail, Energy and Insurance are trail­ing near the bot­tom, lower than even con­struc­tion or me­dia, who handle less data. Perhaps these are ripe for dis­rup­tion through ana­lyt­ics?” Our learners also read: Learn Python Online for Free Mr. S. Anand, CEO of Gramener, wonders aloud. Read our popular Data Science Articles Data Science Career Path: A Comprehensive Career Guide Data Science Career Growth: The Future of Work is here Why is Data Science Important? 8 Ways Data Science Brings Value to the Business Relevance of Data Science for Managers The Ultimate Data Science Cheat Sheet Every Data Scientists Should Have Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Become a Data Scientist A Day in the Life of Data Scientist: What do they do? Myth Busted: Data Science doesn’t need Coding Business Intelligence vs Data Science: What are the differences? upGrad’s Exclusive Data Science Webinar for you – Watch our Webinar on The Future of Consumer Data in an Open Data Economy document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/sashi-edupuganti.mp4   Top Data Science Skills You Should Learn SL. No Top Data Science Skills to Learn 1 Data Analysis Online Certification Inferential Statistics Online Certification 2 Hypothesis Testing Online Certification Logistic Regression Online Certification 3 Linear Regression Certification Linear Algebra for Analysis Online Certification Get data science certification from the World’s top Universities. Learn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career.
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by Apoorva Shankar

15 Dec'16
What’s Cooking in Data Analytics? Team Data at UpGrad Speaks Up!

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What’s Cooking in Data Analytics? Team Data at UpGrad Speaks Up!

Team Data Analytics is creating the most immersive learning experience for working professionals at UpGrad. Data Insider recently checked in to me to get my insights on the data analytics industry; including trends to watch out for and must-have skill sets for today’s developers. Here’s how it went: How competitive is the data analytics industry today? What is the demand for these types of professionals? Let’s talk some numbers, a widely-quoted McKinsey report states that the United States will face an acute shortage of around 1.5 million data professionals by 2018. In India, which is emerging as the global analytics hub, the shortage of such professionals could go up to as high as 200,000. In India alone, the number of analytics jobs saw a 120 percent rise from June 2015 to June 2016. So, we clearly have a challenge set out for us. Naturally, because of acute talent shortage, talented professionals are high in demand. Decoding Easy vs. Not-So-Easy Analytics What trends are you following in the data analytics industry today? Why are you interested in them? There are three key trends that we should watch out for: Personalization I think the usage of data to create personalized systems is a key trend being adopted extremely fast, across the board. Most of the internet services are removing the anonymity of online users and moving towards differentiated treatment. For example, words recommendations when you are typing your messages or destinations recommendations when you are using Uber. Our learners also read: Learn Python Online for Free End of Moore’s Law Another interesting trend to watch out for is how companies are getting more and more creative as we reach the end of Moore’s Law. Moore’s Law essentially states that every two years we will be able to fit double the number of transistors that could be fit on a chip, two years ago. Because of this law, we have unleashed the power of storing and processing huge amounts of data, responsible for the entire data revolution. But what will happen next? IoT Another trend to watch out for, for the sheer possibilities it brings. It’s the emergence of smart systems which is made possible by the coming together of cloud, big data, and IoT (internet of things). Explore our Popular Data Science Courses Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science for Business Decision Making Master of Science in Data Science from University of Arizona Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science from IIITB Professional Certificate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics from University of Maryland Data Science Courses What skill sets are critical for data engineers today? What do they need to know to stay competitive? A good data scientist sits at a rare overlap of three areas: Domain Knowledge This helps understand and appreciate the nuances of a business problem. For e.g, an e-commerce company would want to recommend complementary products to its buyers. Statistical Knowledge Statistical and mathematical knowledge help to inform data-driven decision making. For instance, one can use market basket analysis to come up with complementary products for a particular buy. Technical Knowledge This helps perform complex analysis at scale; such as creating a recommendation system that shows that a buyer might prefer to also buy a pen while buying a notebook. How Can You Transition to Data Analytics? Outside of their technical expertise, what other skills should those in data analytics and business intelligence be sure to develop? Ultimately, data scientists are problem solvers. And every problem has a specific context, content and story behind it. This is where it becomes extremely important to tie all these factors together – into a common narrative. Essentially all data professionals need to be great storytellers. In this respect, one of the key skills for analysts to sharpen would be, breaking down the complexities of analytics for others working with them. They can appreciate the actual insights derived – and work toward a common business goal. In addition, what is as crucial is getting into a habit of constantly learning. Even if it means waking up every morning and reading what’s relevant and current in your domain. Top Essential Data Science Skills to Learn SL. No Top Data Science Skills to Learn 1 Data Analysis Certifications Inferential Statistics Certifications 2 Hypothesis Testing Certifications Logistic Regression Certifications 3 Linear Regression Certifications Linear Algebra for Analysis Certifications What should these professionals be doing to stay ahead of trends and innovations in the field? Professionals these days need to continuously upskill themselves and be willing to unlearn and relearn. The world of work and the industrial landscape of technology-heavy fields such as data analytics is changing every year. The only way to stay ahead, or even at par with these trends, is to invest in learning, taking up exciting industry-relevant projects, participating in competitions like Kaggle, etc. How important is mentorship in the data industry? Who can professionals look toward to help further their careers and their skills? Extremely important. Considering how fast this domain has emerged, academia and universities, in general, have not had the chance to keep up equally fast. Hence, the only way to stay industry-relevant with respect to this domain is to have industry-specific learning. This can only be done in two ways – through real-life case studies and mentors who are working/senior professionals and hail from the data analytics industry. In fact, at UpGrad, there is a lot of stress on industry mentorship for aspiring data specialists. This is in addition to a whole host of case studies and industry-relevant projects. Get data science certification from the World’s top Universities. Learn Executive PG Programs, Advanced Certificate Programs, or Masters Programs to fast-track your career. Read our popular Data Science Articles Data Science Career Path: A Comprehensive Career Guide Data Science Career Growth: The Future of Work is here Why is Data Science Important? 8 Ways Data Science Brings Value to the Business Relevance of Data Science for Managers The Ultimate Data Science Cheat Sheet Every Data Scientists Should Have Top 6 Reasons Why You Should Become a Data Scientist A Day in the Life of Data Scientist: What do they do? Myth Busted: Data Science doesn’t need Coding Business Intelligence vs Data Science: What are the differences?   Where are the best places for data professionals to find mentors? upGrad’s Exclusive Data Science Webinar for you – Transformation & Opportunities in Analytics & Insights document.createElement('video'); https://cdn.upgrad.com/blog/jai-kapoor.mp4 While it’s important for budding or aspiring data professionals to tap into their networks to find the right mentors, it is admittedly tough to do so. There are two main reasons that can be blamed for this. First, due to the nascent stage, the industry is at, it is extremely difficult to find someone with the requisite skill sets to be a mentor. Even if you find someone with considerable experience in the field, not everybody has the time and inclination to be an effective mentor. Hence most people don’t know where to go to be mentored. That’s where platforms like UpGrad come in, which provide you with a rich, industry-relevant learning experience. Nowhere else are you likely to chance upon such a wide range of industry tie-ups or associations for mentorship from very senior and reputed professionals. How Can You Transition to Data Analytics? What resources should those in the data analytics industry be using to ensure they’re educated and up-to-date on developments, trends, and skills? There are many. For starters, here are some good and pretty interesting blogs and resources that would serve aspiring/current data analysts well to keep up with Podcasts like Data Skeptic, Freakonomics, Talking Machines, and much more.   This interview was originally published on Data Insider.  
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by Rohit Sharma

23 Dec'16