So you’ve taken the plunge. You want to become a data scientist. But where to begin? There are far too many resources out there. How do you decide the starting point? Did you miss out on topics you should have studied? Which are the best resources to learn?
Don’t worry, we have you covered!
Analytics Vidhya’s learning path for 2016 saw 250,000+ views. In 2017, we went even further and saw an incredible 500,000+ views! So this year, we have made the learning path more interactive than ever before and we can’t wait for you to experience it yourself.
This year, the learning path has been designed on a completely new LMS portal. This portal allows you to track your progress as your data science journey continues. We have designed questions and exercises after each module to test your understanding. You will also be able to access the related hackathons / practice problems from the same place.
We even have a discussion portal within the learning path where you can share your doubts and queries and even post the awesome projects you’re working on!
Take a sneak peek below of how the progress tracking looks like:
Just a few things to note before you experience our new LMS portal:
Below is a summary of the learning path – an overview what you should follow throughout the year. Let’s get cracking
By the end of January, you’ll know what role data science plays in the industry. You’ll also be able to answer the burning question – why use Python and how is it useful?
Before this month is over, you should have a firm grasp over the basics of statistics. You should also be proficient at exploring the dataset given to you and know the role data visualization plays in this. The budding data scientist is slowly coming out!
Time to get into machine learning!
By the end of the month, you should have a firm command on the basic machine learning topics like linear and logistic regression, among others. To test what you’ve learnt so far, we will provide you with two projects to apply your newly acquired data science skills!
Continue learning the ML basics and by the end of April, you should know enough to take part in hackathons are secure a decent rank. Also, go in depth into feature engineering – one of the MOST important things in data science.
Building models is not enough. The real test of a data scientist comes in explaining the power of the model you’ve created to non-technical people. By the end of May, you should have structured your thinking and personality as a data scientist to be able to do this.
This is a very critical month in your progress. Attempt to get a high ranking in hackathons and competitions all the while learning how to make an impactful presentation of your work. Also, start looking for an internship; you should have enough knowledge by now to secure one.
Deep dive into advanced machine learning. With half the year behind you, you should be ready to tackle advanced ML algorithms and time series models.
Unfortunately, most real-world data comes in an unstructured format. This month you should get a deeper understanding of how to deal with unstructured data in business scenarios including learning the Natural Language Processing field. At the end of the month, you will be given a few projects to apply your newly learned skills.
Here comes one of the hottest data science subjects around – Deep Learning! By the end of August, you should be able to deal with basic neural network problems. As usual, we will provide you with a couple of projects to test your mettle.
Practice is the name of the data science game. Keep checking your progress by taking part in competitions.
By the end of October, you should also be familiar with topics like recommendation methods, and reinforced learning. This is also when you should start taking up a language like SQL to interact with databases (a truly important skill for a data scientist).
If you have seriously followed this plan, you should be able to deal with interview questions. Continue to acquire new skills, delve into Big Data and make sure you stick to your plan!
A few pointers to make this learning path (and 2018) super successful for you:
2018 – here we come! I hope this year our path gets 1,000,000+ visits! We have made sure that we put all our wisdom and experience in creating it. Having said that – Is there anything you feel we should have included?
Or if you had taken our learning path last year – what was your experience and how do you like the current changes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Tried to enroll LMS. But didn't get any activation email(s). Tried with a couple of accounts. Still the same issue.
Hi Anil - let me check with our mail servers
Thank you was waiting for this post from long time. Awesome, you guys rock !!
Do share feedback about the portal and learning path, once you have used it
One month is not enough for the topics listed. Even one year wouldn't be enough to master the topics.
George - feel free to pace things at your own pace and comfort. As I said, quality of understanding and depth in subject trumps quantity. But, if you have to become a data scientist in a year - I am afraid that is the pace to keep. Regards, Kunal
Facts.
Its a great initiative. Could we have the course in R as well?
Thanks Kunal for this great initiative. I was looking exactly for some thing like this from AV team. I am sure lot of newbies like me will be beneficial from this new effort from your side.
Tried to enroll LMS. But didn’t get any activation email(s). Please look in the matter sir . Thank you.
Udit - please check now
This is my most awaited post from AV. Thank you very much!
Tried to enroll LMS. But didn’t get any activation email(s). Tried with a couple of accounts. Still the same issue.
Pardeep – this is now resolved. You can go to the login page and re-generate the link. Let me know if you face any problem Regards, Kunal
Hi, not getting any activation mails to log into the LMS. Kindly look into this issue.
Matthew - this is now resolved. You can go to the login page and re-generate the link. Let me know if you face any problem Regards, Kunal
You guyz are awesome. Same question can we have a course in R?
Something on R is on the way - but it would take a few weeks
Not able to enrol. Pls see
Unable to enrol and begin learning. Please suggest
I have logged into the LMS, where is the 2018 learning path? or do we use the same links as in the 2017 one?
Hi, I am getting an error when submitting answers to questions in the course. "We're sorry, there was an error with processing your request. Please try reloading your page and trying again."
Can you share a screen shot at [email protected]
(1)What is the difference in all kinds of analysts like investment,business,testing ,financial ,operation,quality ,data,etc and do they all come under the same roof!!?. (2)And can any of the analyst can become a data scientist. (3) Also if everyone tries to become a data scientiist there would be a sudden hype in this field.!Any views to stay motivated.Initially I liked this field coz I found it unique and gave satisfaction atleast in the crowd I am familiar with. Any opinion to keep me motivated. (4)Also machine learning can and AI some day seem to take over all the data science jobs with a better efficiency.Your views on this!
Hi Kunal. This is what i was looking for.But the above course on data science is in Python but is there any on r also? You wrote "Something on R is on the way – but it would take a few weeks" isn't the complete course like above on r?
The one on R would be an updated learning path on R - so it would focus specifically on teaching data science on R. This takes a bit more holistic approach with an aim to get you a job in a year. For example, the learning path on R would not talk about attending meetups / conference. It would start with what you need to learn R and achieve that objective.
Can you create a similar post for the roadmap for becoming machine learning engineer.
Amazingly structured program to learn data science. A boon for aspiring data scientist. Kudos to AV team particularly Kunal for this learning path.. Just one query how Anaconda Python is different from other typical python downloads.
Having the same issue as Anil - have tried to enroll LMS. But didn’t get any activation email(s). Tried with a couple of accounts. Still the same issue. Wanting to see if I really have the capacity to learn and the courses (from what I can see) give me hope I am capable and have the mind set to accomplish my learning. Thanks for your help
I have been an avid reader of AV's all blog posts which i feel are always very well written: Crisp & Precise. My tryst with AV began a couple of years back when i thought of diving into the world of Data Science and since then no day has passed when I don't refer to AV for any slightest doubt or syntax or query ...almost everything.I believe the resources available for Data science are immense which makes us drown in so much of data. AV on the other hand acts a guiding mentor in leading us towards the right material .The learning paths are one such 'Guru' which is a blessing for all the newbies and especially for the ones like me who believe in following a Schedule . But the Learning Path for 2018 has surpassed all my expectations . It now seems like a virtual tutor with ready made recipes. I am sure people are going to be benefitted greatly .Hope to continue the good work in the field of 'Free Education for All'. (sorry for the long post but was thinking of writing it since a long time)
Thanks Kunal. This was useful and informative. Will look forward to get enrolled in this learning path
Awesome initiative from Analytics vidhya. For a complete beginner like me, I was searching for something like this from along time and this is the best i have seen till now. I hope I will follow this path and make a career out of it. And Thanks analytics Vidhya for the brilliant work i.e. providing free and quality education.You are no less than a hero and a legend.Thanks a ton!!!
HI Team, Can you please help with My Account activation Details
Thanks for this new learning path, I took the Coursera's Data Science Specialization but I don't feel enoughly prepared for looking for job, I think this material will be perfect.
Hi I want to enroll
How long would it take for the course in R to release? Please share the tentative date.
Hi AV team, Thanks for this! I have enrolled and really looking forward to this learning track. Can you please quickly put up all the material till June? From the syllabus it seems the first 6 months are dedicated to honing the basics. So it will be easier for intermediate level learners like me to quickly cover it and spend more time on the advanced topics. Looking forward to the projects to be given on advanced Machine Learning, NLP, Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, etc.
This LMS Portal is really nice Kunal.. Can your team update the complete plan for all months soon..? That would really help the people who want to spend more time and learn thing a bit soon..
Hi Kunal I am working in the field of IT networks and security from last 12 years since now everything is moving to cloud and I have no more interest to upgrade my self in the same field I would like to ask you about the switching of my career from the Networks and security to Data Science Please advise me how to go ahead and also would it be good for me to switch my career at this position of life where I have spent 10+ years in this technology I hope you understand my query and help me to decide the same Thanks in advance
I have researched quite a bit on the learning paths to becoming a data scientist and I find there are quite a few others that are popular as well as well reviewed by participants, such as data quest which also provides a thorough follow through of the completion cycles. I started on dataquest for only about a week so I am open to switching to AV LMS if it is better or advantageous, Could you please help me to highlight which would be the better choice? Thanks!
I am little late but can I enroll into this. Please reply asap
Hi There, I' am an engineering biotechnology graduate having four years experience in the digital marketing field. Well I would like to know whether I' am eligible for data science course and what would be the future? Looking forward for a genuine reply.
Eagerly waiting for the one with R! How much longer do we need to wait?
Thank you so much for creating this path. I was wondering when would the next months (April, May, June, July) material will be available as I have skipped through a few parts as I already knew them. Are you uploading stuff on a monthly basis or will you upload stuff right till December in the next few weeks?
Hi Kunal, you mentioned that “you are increasingly convinced that Python is the way to go for complete beginners”. May you please explain why a complete beginner sihould start with Python and not R? Thank you in advance. David
Hi Kunal, i am unable to register but i can see course content. Can you please check.
Can you share the link for leanring? I am logged in but where is the link to start the tutorial for learning path??
Hi When I try to enroll to this course, it says the registrations are closed. May I know when the new registrations will be open and if there is possible, could you enroll me into Data Science program. Thank you
waiting for the R version
Is LMS a Paid service? How do I enroll for this?
Hi deepak, You can use this link to access the course.
I'm an engg. I don't know anything about programming languages. I want to start from Jan 2019 as this year is already half gone.If you can,then please lay out a plan for me specially as I'm a little low on confidence currently. I don't want to flunk miserably learning data science as it will be a blow to my confidence level. I'm giving my whatsapp no. if you'd like to ping me. 8296604684(Bangalore)
Hello, I just enrolled and I am starting from January will I be able to complete it say June 2019
Hi Tomi, Starting now, you certainly will be able to finish this by June 2019 (or even before that). Good Luck!
Could you please suggest best training/tutorials/ videos to follow the above plan. ex - February Statistics, Data Exploration and Basic Data Visualization What is the best source to learn. This will really help me to stop reinventing wheel. Thanks, Siva
Hi Siva, You can refer this course.
Hi I have enrolled for this course. I have installed Gitbash and Miniconda3 as per instructions given. But afterwards I am not able to follow the instructions. Can someone guide me step by step? Thanks in advance.
Hi, To run the jupyter notebook, you can follow these steps: Download the Anaconda from this link : https://www.anaconda.com/download/#download Once downloaded, install anaconda. Go to Start Menu and type Anaconda Navigator In Anaconda Navigator, click on Launch Jupyter Notebook buttom.
Hello Team, Thank you for sharing this article. Its already been July end and I will be starting with the First Course and hope to continue it within the year.
Can this be useful to a non science person ?