Introduction to Python for Data Science

About this course

Python is a very powerful programming language used for many different applications. Over time, the huge community around this open source language has created quite a few tools to efficiently work with Python. In recent years, a number of tools have been built specifically for data science. As a result, analyzing data with Python has never been easier.

In this practical course, you will start from the very beginning, with basic arithmetic and variables, and learn how to handle data structures, such as Python lists, Numpy arrays, and Pandas DataFrames. Along the way, you’ll learn about Python functions and control flow. Plus, you’ll look at the world of data visualizations with Python and create your own stunning visualizations based on real data.

What you'll learn

Explore Python language fundamentals, including basic syntax, variables, and types
Create and manipulate regular Python lists
Use functions and import packages
Build Numpy arrays, and perform interesting calculations
Create and customize plots on real data
Supercharge your scripts with control flow, and get to know the Pandas DataFrame

Prerequisites

Some experience in working with data from Excel, databases, or text files.

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Course Syllabus

Section 1: Python Basics
Take your first steps in the world of Python. Discover the different data types and create your first variable.

Section 2: Python Lists
Get the know the first way to store many different data points under a single name. Create, subset and manipulate Lists in all sorts of ways.

Section 3: Functions and Packages
Learn how to get the most out of other people's efforts by importing Python packages and calling functions.

Section 4: Numpy
Write superfast code with Numerical Python, a package to efficiently store and do calculations with huge amounts of data.

Section 5: Matplotlib
Create different types of visualizations depending on the message you want to convey. Learn how to build complex and customized plots based on real data.

Section 6: Control flow and Pandas
Write conditional constructs to tweak the execution of your scripts and get to know the Pandas DataFrame: the key data structure for Data Science in Python.

Meet the instructors

Filip Schouwenaars

Main Course Developer DataCamp

Filip is the main course developer behind many of DataCamp's interactive courses. His courses and tutorials were already taken by thousands of students across the world. DataCamp has trained more than 250,000 data scientists who’ve completed over 3.7 million interactive exercises.

Jonathan Sanito

Senior Content Developer Microsoft

Jonathan works as a content developer and project manager for Microsoft focusing in Data and Analytics online training. He has worked with trainings for developer and IT pro audiences, from Microsoft Dynamics NAV to Windows Active Directory.

Before coming to Microsoft, Jonathan worked as a consultant for a Microsoft partner, implementing Microsoft Dynamics NAV solutions.