Updated in May 2025.

This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. In this course, you will gain a solid foundation in Machine Learning (ML) and Python programming, which are essential skills for any aspiring data scientist. By the end of the course, you'll have a deep understanding of ML fundamentals, statistical techniques, and how to use Python for real-world data analysis and model building. You'll be able to apply these concepts to a range of industries and data-driven problems. The course starts with an introduction to the core concepts of ML. You'll explore key terminology, different types of ML algorithms, and real-world use cases. This section will set the stage for more advanced topics by building your understanding of how ML can be applied in various industries. You'll also learn how to approach and solve problems with ML, laying the groundwork for your learning journey ahead. Following the introduction, the course delves into essential statistical techniques, including probability, hypothesis testing, and understanding data distributions. These concepts are crucial for designing and interpreting ML models accurately. You'll also learn how to evaluate model performance using these techniques, helping you to build robust and effective ML systems. The course also provides a comprehensive guide to Python programming. You will master essential libraries like NumPy and Pandas, which are pivotal for data manipulation and analysis in machine learning tasks. Additionally, you'll work with Jupyter Notebooks to practice coding, explore data, and implement machine learning algorithms efficiently. This course is ideal for beginners or professionals transitioning into data science; no prior experience is required, though basic programming familiarity is helpful.