Learning Data Science If You’re Broke

Dmitry Ratushny via Unsplash
 

Data Science is big, with everybody wanting to know more about it. There are degrees, bootcamps, online courses, and more that can help you get to the place you want to be as a Data Scientist. However, these courses do come at a cost, some more expensive than others. 

If I could go back, I would have learned as many concepts of Data Science as possible for free before starting to purchase courses or enroll in Bootcamps. I was working and paying for a Bootcamp, and it was overwhelming. I just wanted to reach my career goals, without the stress of funds. 

I am going to list free resources, courses, and more to help you become a Data Scientist for free. 

 

1. An Introduction to Data Science - Udemy

 
This is a 44-minute video course, with 4,880 students already enrolled. Created by Kumar Rajmani Bapat, this course will go through:

• The history of Data Science 
• How to master data science
• The requirements and skills needed to become a data scientist
• Understanding data and the different types

If you are a visual learner, this course is for you. Understanding the history and concept of Data Science will provide you with the best foundation for building your data science career. Once you understand the basics of data science and how to handle data, you then move on to how to become a Data Scientist expert. 

 

2. Introduction to Data Science using Python - Udemy

 
A course created by Rakesh Gopalakrishnan, currently has 92,561 enrolled students. This course will provide you with a basic understanding of Data Science and Analytics, with the use of Python and Scikit learn. Another important element of the world of Data Science is learning the buzzwords of the sector.

The link provided is the first module out of 3; the more modules you go down, the more complex it becomes. 

 

3. CS50's Introduction to Computer Science - Harvard

 
CS50 is currently Harvard's largest course and has benefitted people who have no Computer Science experience to people who know how to program. It is one of edX top 100 courses of all time and is taught by David J. Malan, Doug Lloyd, and Brian Yu.

The course is free, however, if you would like a Verified Certificate, you can do that for $149. Also, students who earn a satisfactory score on 9 problem sets and the final project are eligible for a certificate.

The course is 12 weeks long, going through topics: Basics, C language, Arrays, Algorithms, Memory, Data Structures, Python, SQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Flask, and Ethics. 

If you would like to get a better understanding of the course breakdown, have a read of this article: The Most Popular Intro to Programming Course From Harvard is Free!

 

4. Data Science for Everyone - DataCamp

 
Some courses are heavy code-based, which can be quite frightening when you want to start learning Dat Science. This course is an introduction to data science with no coding involved. This non-technical course goes through all types of questions that many new data science enthusiasts are too afraid to ask, or never really get a better understanding of.
 
You will learn about foundational topics such as A/D testing, machine learning, and more with hands-on exercises. This then allows you to figure out what data science role you want to go forward with. 

This course will provide you with better knowledge of why this sector is in high demand, and discover why data science is for everyone. 

 

5. Learn Data Science Full Course for Beginners - freeCodeCamp.org

 
This is a nearly 6-hour YouTube video for absolute beginners, a course created by Barton Poulson. It is a long video, but you can break it down between days and weeks, which provides you with a map that guides you to the world of Data Science. 

You will start with the principles, practices, and tools that have made data science so popular over the years. You will understand the different elements of Dat Science, and how they can be applied in the real world. The course covers the foundations of data science, data sourcing, coding, mathematics, and statistics.

It is broken up into 5 parts: 

• Part 1: Data Science: An Introduction: Foundations of Data Science
• Part 2: Data Sourcing: Foundations of Data Science
• Part 3: Coding
• Part 4: Mathematics
• Part 5: Statistics

 

6. YouTube

 
YouTube is a very popular platform and an important element in people's self-development and increase of knowledge. There are a lot of Data Scientists and other professionals which provide e-learning and other resources to help improve your skills as a Data Scientist. 

Below is a list of YouTubers:

1. StatQuest With John Starmer
2. Krish Naik
3. Corey Schafer
4. Joma Tech

If you would like to read more about these YouTubers and other channels, have a read of this article: Top YouTube Channels for learning Data Science

 

Conclusion

 

There are many free resources online, from YouTube to cheat sheets. You just need to understand your best methodology of learning and run with that. 

Some people need visual presentations, if that’s the case - YouTube would be your best option. If you prefer having someone run through a course with a set curriculum, courses on platforms such as Udemy would be a good approach. 

If you have any other resources, feel free to drop them in the comments for others!

 
 
Nisha Arya is a Data Scientist and Freelance Technical Writer. She is particularly interested in providing Data Science career advice or tutorials and theory based knowledge around Data Science. She also wishes to explore the different ways Artificial Intelligence is/can benefit the longevity of human life. A keen learner, seeking to broaden her tech knowledge and writing skills, whilst helping guide others.