For those who are interested in studying data science, different training options are available in person and in the online format. Those who are new to data science can enroll in a short, introductory-level skills course that teaches fundamental data skills and tools. Skills courses are also available for intermediate and advanced learners. Individuals who are interested in more intensive, career-focused training can explore data science bootcamps or certificate programs. These rigorous courses are longer than skills classes and take weeks or months to complete, depending on the program and whether they are completed full-time or part-time. Data science bootcamps and certificates cover a range of skills and also often provide professional development resources. For learners who need to balance their data science studies around full-time work, travel, or family commitments, asynchronous content is available, which is pre-recorded and can be completed from any location at any time.

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. 

Benefits of Learning Data Science

Your path to learning data science tools and languages depends heavily on how and where you plan to use your knowledge and skills. A Data Scientist or Data Analyst will need comprehensive training in math, computer science, probability, and statistics. However, a Back End Developer may need only a few tools applicable to data science, like Python and Django REST.

The most significant benefit to learning data science skills and tools is the breadth of their applicability. A top programming language like Python will be crucial in fields like machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI). At the same time, data visualization tools like Tableau can be essential for everyone from Business Analysts to SQL Server Developers.

Whether you plan a role as a Cybersecurity Analyst, a Machine Learning Engineer, or a Business IT Analyst, data science skills will prepare you to analyze information, gain insights, offer conclusions, and even make predictions.

Read more about why you should learn data science.

How Long Do Data Science Courses Last?

The amount of time needed for complete data science training depends not only on the provider but on the learning format you select. The shortest way to acquire data science training is through skills courses. These classes are typically short and can be completed in a day or two. Participants can choose whether to study in-person or through live online content. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level skills classes are available, which ensures that learners at all levels of data science proficiency can find a skills class appropriate to their training needs.

For those seeking more intensive data science training, bootcamp study is another option. Bootcamps in data science are longer programs designed to teach students more than just core data skills; these programs provide instruction on programming languages like R, Python, and SQL, data analytics and visualization, machine learning, and other tools and programs Data Scientists regularly utilize. Bootcamps vary in length from approximately three to nine months and range in price from $10,000 to $20,000. Learners can choose whether to complete bootcamps part-time or full-time, which will affect how long it takes to complete the program.

Certificate study is also available in data science. These courses cost between $3,000 and $5,000 and vary in length from 30 to 120 hours. Similar to bootcamps, certificate programs offer instruction in various data science practices, tools, and programs, such as statistical analysis, data visualization, computer programming languages, machine learning, and data modeling. Certificate study can be completed remotely through a teleconferencing platform like Zoom or in person. Part-time and full-time training is offered by most providers to accommodate different scheduling needs. Whereas skills courses only provide instruction on the most widely used data science tools and techniques, bootcamps and certificates include professional development incentives, such as one-on-one mentoring, career counseling, professional portfolio development, job search tips, or resume support. 

Different Courses with Different Schedules

Data science courses vary in the depth of instruction they provide. Those focusing on data science skills are relatively short and can be completed in a day or two. Bootcamps and certificate programs are longer and take several weeks or months to complete and can be taken on a part-time or full-time schedule. In addition to teaching a range of data science skills, these classes also provide career development.

In-Person & Online Classes

Those who are interested in studying data science can choose between completing coursework in person or online. In-person study is the most engaging, interactive way to study data science. Participants receive hands-on instruction at a designated training facility that provides computers with the most current data science programs and software already installed. For extroverted learners who enjoy connecting with others, in-person data science classes not only allow them to interact with an instructor in real-time but also to network with classmates. Although attending in-person coursework requires commuting to and from campus for each scheduled meeting, this training format is an effective way to acquire a range of data science skills. Skills classes, as well as bootcamps and certificates, are available in person. Students can find in-person study options that take a day to complete, such as introductory-level skills classes, as well as those that require months of in-depth training, like certificate programs.

In addition to in-person data science classes, many providers also offer live online coursework. Rather than having to battle traffic and search for parking to attend class, live online data science courses can be completed remotely. Students connect with an expert instructor in real-time using a teleconferencing platform like Zoom. This format allows students to ask questions as needed and share their screen with the instructor (with permission) for additional clarification. Live online data science classes occur at regularly scheduled times, which means participants must ensure their schedules permit them to attend class. Skills courses, as well as bootcamps and certificates, are all available through live online training. Similar to in-person study, live online coursework can be completed through part-time or full-time study.

Synchronous & Asynchronous Classes

Those who want to study data science online have the option of live or asynchronous training. Whereas live online classes occur in real-time, asynchronous content was recorded at an earlier time and posted online. Whereas live online data science classes have a definitive start and end date and a specified length of each class meeting, asynchronous content allows participants to decide not only where and when they wish to study but also for how long. Those who have busy schedules may need to balance their data science with full-time work or travel, which may only leave fifteen minutes a day for study. Other learners might want to spend an entire weekend immersed in learning data science. This flexible training format also allows participants to pause and rewatch content as often as necessary for retention or note-taking.

Synchronous online courses vary in length from a day to several months. Skills courses can often be completed in just a few hours, whereas bootcamps and certificates may require three to six months to finish, depending on the provider as well as whether participants study full-time or part-time. Self-paced data science material is available in many formats. Some content, like YouTube videos, is relatively short and may focus on a specific data science skill, such as writing SQL queries or using Python’s Matplotlib library for data visualization. Other pre-recorded material is longer and provides an overview of the field of data science and the most widely used tools and software. These courses can take hours or days to complete. Generally speaking, asynchronous data science training material is shorter than live online coursework because it has already been recorded, and no class time is needed for questions and answers.

Since no instructor is present when learning with asynchronous material, it can be challenging to master complicated data science techniques entirely through this form of training. This is why learners sometimes begin learning data science through self-paced materials but then transition into more structured, real-time training like bootcamp programs to learn more advanced skills.

Career-Focused & Skills-Focused Classes

Another important decision students must make when studying data science is whether to enroll in a career-focused program or a skills-focused course. Ultimately, selecting the course that’s most suited to your learning needs will depend on why you’re learning data science and what you intend to do with these skills.

Career-focused data science coursework comprises bootcamps and certificate programs. Participants receive hands-on instruction in a range of data science skills and tools, such as SQL, Python, data visualization, and machine learning. These courses take several weeks or months to complete, depending on the provider and syllabus, as well as whether they’re attended part-time or full-time. Not only do bootcamps and certificates provide skills training in a variety of in-demand data science techniques, languages, and software, but they also often include career-focused instruction as well, such as professional portfolio development, resume support, or one-on-one mentoring. Although these courses are more expensive than skills classes and can cost $10,000 or more, graduates can use their training at their current job or apply for a new career in a data-related field.

Skills classes are short and usually cost several hundred dollars to complete. Over the course of six to eight hours, participants learn beginner, intermediate, or advanced data science skills and techniques. These classes can fill a data science skills gap but don’t include professional development or career support. Participants can select one or more skills classes, depending on their learning level and data science background. 

Introductory Classes & Immersive Courses 

The level of data science instruction you seek will also dictate the coursework length. Those who are just getting started working with data or who are new to data science may wish to opt for an introductory-level skills course. These classes can usually be completed in just a few hours and cover a range of data science techniques and skills, such as cleaning and analyzing data. Some educators provide beginner, intermediate, and advanced skills classes so learners can select the one most in line with their learning needs. This way, if you already have data science experience or proficiency with one or more data science tools, you may wish to enroll in intermediate or advanced-level coursework. Some training centers also allow students to combine beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes into one longer training course. These programs provide continuous study that takes learners from data science novices into intermediate and advanced-level training over several days or weeks. These combined programs are sometimes available for a discounted cost if learners opt for all three levels.

In addition to skills courses, those who are interested in acquiring data science training may seek more immersive training through bootcamps or certificates. These programs are generally longer than skills classes and require weeks or months of rigorous coursework. Not only do participants learn data science skills and software, but they also receive professional development as part of tuition, which can help learners find a data science career upon graduation.

Learn Data Science Skills with 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

• The length of a data science class depends not only on the educational provider and their specifications and syllabi but also on the depth of study provided. Skills classes take a day or so to complete, whereas bootcamp and certificate programs often span months.
• Both in-person and live online data science classes provide participants with hands-on data science training. Students have the opportunity to connect with a live instructor and receive real-time support and guidance as they learn to work with data.
• Career-focused coursework, such as bootcamps or certificates, provides learners with immersive data science instruction, as well as career support. Skills classes focus exclusively on teaching students core data science techniques.
• Noble Desktop, an educational provider in New York, offers comprehensive data science training through in-person and live online coursework.