Master's in Data Science

  • Top Schools
    • 23 Great Schools with Master’s Programs in Data Science
    • 22 Top Schools with Master’s in Information Systems Degrees
    • 25 Top Schools with Master’s in Business Analytics Programs
  • Online Programs
    • Online Data Science Degree Programs
    • Online Masters in Business Analytics Programs
    • Online Masters in Information Systems Programs
    • Online Masters in Computer Engineering
    • Online Masters in Computer Science
    • Online Masters in Cybersecurity
    • Online Certificate Programs in Analytics
  • By State
    • Alabama
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington, D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
  • Related Degrees
    • Data Science Bachelor Degrees
    • Graduate Certificates in Data Science of 2019
    • Data Science Bootcamps
    • Master’s in Accounting Analytics
    • Master’s in Applied Statistics
    • Master’s in Business Analytics
    • Master’s in Business Analytics Online
    • Master’s in Business Intelligence
    • Master’s in Geospatial Science & GIS
    • Master’s in Health Informatics
    • Master’s in Information Systems
    • Master’s in Public Policy Data Analytics
    • MBA in Analytics/Data Science
    • PhD in Data Science Programs
    • Programs Outside the US
  • Careers
    • Business Analyst
    • Computer Engineer
    • Computer Scientist
    • Data Analyst
    • Data Architect
    • Data Engineer
    • Data Scientist
    • Marketing Analyst
    • Quantitative Analyst
    • Statistician
    • Data Analyst vs Data Scientist
    • Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering
    • Cyber Security vs Computer Science
    • Data Analytics vs. Business Analytics
    • Data Science vs. Machine Learning
  • Online Courses
    • Data Science Online Courses
  • Resources
    • What is Data Analytics?
    • What is Business Analytics?
    • What is Computer Engineering?
    • What is Computer Science
    • Data Scientist Salary Guide
    • Data Analyst Salary Guide
    • Learn Data Science Online
    • Benefits of Business Intelligence Software

Using Python for Data Science

Python for Data Science?

Python is a general-use high-level programming language that bills itself as powerful, fast, friendly, open, and easy to learn. Python “plays well with others” and “runs everywhere”.

Conceived in the late 1980s, Python didn’t make inroads into data science until recently. For a long time, as Tal Yarkoni of UT Austin says, “you couldn’t really do statistics in Python unless you wanted to spend most of your time pulling your hair out.”

Now, however, tools for almost every aspect of scientific computing are readily available in Python. (Thanks in part, no doubt, to the $3 million the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) put toward the development of data analytics and data processing libraries for Python in late 2012.)

Bank of America uses Python to crunch financial data. Facebook turns to the Python library Pandas for its data analysis because it sees the benefit of using one programming language across multiple applications.

“One of the reasons we like to use Pandas is because we like to stay in the Python ecosystem,” Burc Arpat, a quantitative engineering manager at Facebook, told Fast Company in May 2014.

3.234.214.113

ad
Featured Schools

Sponsored Online Master's Programs

Learn MoreSyracuse University

Online Master's in Applied Data Science
Syracuse University's online Master's in Applied Data Science can be completed in as few as 18 months.

* GRE waivers are available.
Sponsored Program

Learn MoreSouthern Methodist University

Online Master of Science in Data Science
Earn your M.S. in data science online in 20 months from SMU - ranked a Top National University by US News. Bachelor's degree required.

* GRE waivers available for applicants with 3+ years work experience.
Sponsored Program

Learn MoreUniversity of Denver

Online MS in Data Science program
Earn your MS in Data Science online in as few as 18 months. Bridge courses are available.
Sponsored Program

Learn MoreUniversity of California, Berkeley

Online Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS)
Earn your Master's in Data Science online from UC Berkeley in as few as 12 months.

* No GRE Scores Required
Sponsored Program

Learn MoreUniversity of Dayton

Master of Business Analytics
Gain in-demand analytics skills with an online master's in business analytics. Complete in as few as 12 months.
Sponsored Program

Learn MoreAmerican University

Online Master of Science in Analytics
Make informed decisions using data analysis in 12 months with a Master's in Business Analytics online from American University. No GMAT/GRE required to apply.
Sponsored Program

Learn MorePepperdine University

Master's in Applied Analytics
Earn your MS in Applied Analytics online from Pepperdine University. GMAT waivers are available for qualified applicants.
Sponsored Program

Learn MoreSyracuse University

Online Master of Science in Business Analytics
Looking to become a data-savvy leader? Earn your M.S. in Business Analytics online. GMAT waivers available!
Sponsored Program

Sponsored Online Master's Programs

Python or R?

Python’s increased use in data science applications has situated it in opposition to R, a programming language and software environment specifically designed to execute the sorts of data analysis tasks Python can now handle. As speculation mounts about whether one of the languages will eventually replace the other in the data science sphere, individuals have to decide which language to learn or which to use for a specific project.

And this is where an unveiled infographic from DataCamp in 2015 can help. It provides a side-by-side comparison of the two programming languages from a data science and statistics perspective. So the next time you’re debating whether to use R or Python for machine learning, statistics, or the Internet of Things…”Data Science Wars: R vs. Python” to the rescue!

Five Python Libraries for Data Science

While there are many libraries available to perform data analysis in Python, here’s a few to get you started:

  • NumPy is fundamental for scientific computing with Python. It supports large, multi-dimensional arrays and matrices and includes an assortment of high-level mathematical functions to operate on these arrays.
  • SciPy works with NumPy arrays and provides efficient routines for numerical integration and optimization.
  • Pandas, also built on top of NumPy, offers data structures and operations for manipulating numerical tables and time series.
  • Matplotlib is a 2D plotting library that can generate such data visualizations as histograms, power spectra, bar charts, and scatterplots with just a few lines of code.
  • Built on NumPy, SciPy, and Matplotlib, Scikit-learn is a machine learning library that implements classification, regression, and clustering algorithms including support vector machines, logistic regression, naive Bayes, random forests, and gradient boosting.

Want more? Here’s a longer list of Python libraries useful for data science applications.

Online Courses in Python for Data Science

Since Python is a general-purpose language, many of the educational resources available are not specific to data science. Here, though, are a handful that are:

  • Learning Python for Data Analysis and Visualization from Udemy: Assuming no prior knowledge of Python, this course promises “full understanding of how to program with Python and how to use it in conjunction with scientific computing modules and libraries to analyze data.”
  • Data Analysis in Python with Pandas from Udemy: Designed for those with intermediate programming ability, this course guides students to mastery of fundamental data analysis methods in Python.
  • CS109 Data Science from Harvard University: This Ivy-league introduction to data science uses Python for all programming assignments and projects. Slides and video lectures are available online free of charge and the IPython notebooks for the course are on GitHub.
  • Intro to Python for Data Science from DataCamp: This course focuses specifically on Python for data science, teaching powerful ways to manipulate data and data science tools to start doing analysis right away.
  • Data Science: Linear Regression in Python from Udemy: This course introduces students to linear regression, a popular data science technique. Students will learn how to create their own linear regression model in Python and use it to solve real world problems.
  • Data Science: Logistic Regression in Python from Udemy: This course begins with the theory of logistic regression, followed by lessons on how to use this popular technique yourself. It’s a great first step for anyone interested in deep learning and neural networks.
  • Data Science: Deep Learning in Python from Udemy: Students will learn how to build artificial neural networks, use the popular training method called “backpropagation,” and much more. Great for both students and working professionals!

Happy coding!

Share on Facebook Share
Share on TwitterTweet
Share on LinkedIn Share

SPONSORED DATA SCIENCE PROGRAMS

UC Berkeley - Master of Information and Data Science
Sponsored Program
Syracuse University - Master of Science in Applied Data Science
Sponsored Program

SPONSORED ANALYTICS PROGRAMS

American University - Master of Science in Analytics
Sponsored Program
Syracuse University - Master of Science in Business Analytics
Sponsored Program

Online Programs

  • Online Master’s in Data Science Programs
  • Online Master’s in Business Analytics
  • Master’s in Information Systems Online
  • Online Master’s in Computer Science
  • Online Master’s in Computer Engineering
  • Online Master’s in Cybersecurity
  • Graduate Certificates in Data Science Online

Career Profiles

  • Business Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Data Architect
  • Data Engineer
  • Data Scientist
  • Marketing Analyst
  • Quantitative Analyst
  • Statistician

Schools by State

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Industry Uses

  • Biotechnology
  • Energy
  • Finance
  • Gaming and Hospitality
  • Government
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Internet
  • Manufacturing
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Retail
  • Telecommunications
  • Travel and Transportation
  • Utilities

Data Science Technologies

  • R
  • Python
  • SQL
  • Hadoop
  • Tableau

MastersInDataScience.org is owned and operated by 2U, Inc.
© 2U, Inc. 2019

About Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Blog