Best Free Data Science Resources & Tutorials

Many professionals are eager to learn data science but hesitate because of the perceived up-front costs. Expenses for a data science education can include everything from paid training to certification programs. However, a surprising number of free resources can help beginners get the hang of this exciting and in-demand field. 

Read on to learn more about the different types of free resources and tutorials available to help you learn data science. 

What is Data Science?

Data science is a broad field that encompasses the disciplines of mathematics, computer programming, and artificial intelligence (AI). Data professionals such as Data Scientists and Data Analysts use advanced techniques like machine learning algorithms to find patterns in a vast amount of information. This process can provide actionable insights to stakeholders, from Product Managers to C-suite executives.

Today nearly every sector requires data science expertise, whether public or private. Among the top sectors where data science is critical are health and wellness, retail, web and application development, banking and finance, and governmental agencies. The field continues to project dramatic growth over the next decade; Glassdoor even listed Data Scientist as number three in its 50 Best Jobs in America in 2022.

Read more about what Data Science is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Data Science?

Data science has so many applications in different industries that a comprehensive review could fill a book. Professionals as diverse as Business Analysts, Machine Learning Engineers, and Enterprise Architects use data science in their day-to-day activities.

Top sectors for data science include banking and finance, marketing and advertising, and healthcare:

• Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) - Business Analysts and Data Scientists use data for everything from fraud detection to customized financial advice. Machine learning algorithms can assist with risk analytics, stock trading, and other tasks.

• Marketing & Advertising - Data Analysts and Marketing Analysts use data science in advertising to create targeted ad copy, recommend products and services, and leverage social media platforms. Programming languages like Python and R, often key to data science positions, help experts analyze data and make recommendations.

• In healthcare, Data Scientists create algorithms to create care plans and improve patient services. Using data analysis in medical imaging can help care providers with diagnoses and treatment decisions.

Data science has proven crucial to many other sectors, from retail and manufacturing to the public sector. If you want to combine challenging work with job security, start with data science.

Free Introductory Courses & Materials

Data science roles vary, from entry-level Data Analyst jobs to high-level Machine Learning Engineer positions. Salaries vary from industry to industry, too, but an overview of sectors and roles can help you evaluate what materials can get you started in this exciting field. Many students new to the data science or analytics field initially look to learn more through free online resources. Course providers like Noble Desktop often provide numerous resources, from blog posts to free online seminars and tutorials, either live or archived.

Noble’s Data Science blog is a good example. You’ll find over 100 articles on topics of interest—from Eight Best Programming Languages for Data Science to Why Learn Data Science for Advertising and Marketing? This wide selection of learning resources can help narrow your search if you’re starting in the field and unsure which direction will be best for you.

Noble’s Data Analytics blog provides more resources, with another 100+ articles. They target the analysis side of the field, so they’re relevant to anyone planning a career as a Business Intelligence Analyst or Financial Analyst. Topics include Power BI, Tableau, and SQL, to name a few.

Finally, check out the Learn Data Science page. Here you’ll find multiple resources, including links to free video tutorials and seminars on topics ranging from Python programming to data visualization.

Other Free Resources

Beyond the many free online video tutorials, seminars, and articles, you can also find a wealth of help by searching for data science news and information. Consider the following:

• Data Science Publications - Look for free online books available in PDF format or as e-books. Some sites require you to sign up for a free membership account to access the publications, but others may be only a mouse click away. 

• Industry News - Follow Google News or check out the Data Science Central or Towards Data Science blog hosted by Medium.

• Top Company Resources - The most prominent names in data science remain some of the biggest tech names in the world. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have dedicated news feeds and often feature data science or analytics stories. 

Learn Data Science with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Because data science is a broad field, targeted training can prepare you for a data-centered position or even help you choose a specific role. You might think you’ll need a four-year data science degree, but this isn’t necessarily so. The bootcamp or certificate educational model has become increasingly popular for data professionals, thanks to features like small class sizes, hands-on training from industry experts, and individual mentoring. Noble Desktop offers a wide range of data science programs to help get you started.

• Data Science Certificate - The comprehensive Data Science Certificate provides all the skills required for entry-level data science, data analytics, or software engineering roles. Students learn how to write complex queries and build machine learning models while preparing a portfolio on a real-world basis. Skills covered include Python, SQL, NumPy, Pandas, and Jupyter Notebook, to name a few.

• Data Analytics Certificate - The comprehensive Data Analytics Certificate program offers the perfect training ground for Data Analysts, Business Intelligence Analysts, and Marketing Analysts. With a heavy emphasis on Tableau data visualization software, you’ll learn skills like Python programming, SQL, and machine learning, among others. Registrants of the Data Analytics Certificate or Data Science Certificate can also attend Noble’s Power BI Bootcamp at no additional charge.

• Python for Data Science Bootcamp - The Python for Data Science Bootcamp covers everything from programming fundamentals to data visualization. Students can save by taking this course as part of Noble’s Data Science Certificate, Data Analytics Certificate, or FinTech Bootcamp.

Check out all the Noble data science classes and bootcamps for additional options, like the Python Data Science & Machine Learning Bootcamp, Python for Data Science Bootcamp, or Python Machine Learning Bootcamp.

 Key Takeaways

• Data science is a broad field encompassing disciplines like math, computer programming, and artificial intelligence (AI).
• Top sectors where data science is essential include:
• Automotive
• Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI)
• Health & Wellness
• Marketing & Advertising
• Media & Entertainment
• Retail
• Telecommunications
• Web & App Development
• Top positions requiring data science or analytics training include:
• Business Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Data Scientist
• Financial Analyst
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Marketing Analyst
• Web Developer
• Many data science and analytics students begin their training through free online resources. These include articles, blogs, seminars, and free tutorials.
• Relevant data science and analytics resources include:
• Noble Desktop’s Data Science and Data Analytics Blogs
• The Noble Desktop
• Learn Data Science page
• Free online tutorials like Noble’s Intro to SQL