What is Python for data science?

Python is an open-source programming language used in data science that's noted for its beginner-friendly language and versatility. This popular coding language integrates well with multiple software components and works across multiple platforms, such as Windows, Mac, and Linux. It also has an impressive community of support and libraries available for programmers. The programming language has a strong following, with 8.2 million developers around the world, according to ZDNet.

Why learn Python for data science?

Learning Python for data science can be beneficial because it’s used in many data science applications. The program is popular because it tends to be easy to learn, and the simplicity of the language makes it possible to write code faster and with fewer lines than you need to use in other coding languages. When you learn Python, you may develop a deeper understanding of the methodologies used to collect and analyze data, which can lead to additional interests and career opportunities.

What are typical careers that use Python for data science?

Typical data science careers that use Python are data analysts, software engineers, developers, and network engineers. However, you don’t have to be a coder or developer to benefit from learning Python. Understanding Python can be beneficial to a variety of individuals who work with data, including mathematicians, researchers, accountants, marketers, and product managers.

How can taking online courses help me learn Python for data science?

Through online courses, you can learn the fundamentals of Python and its applications in the field of data science. Some courses show you how to write code in Python, and others explore how to use the language Python to mine data faster and create data visualizations. Lessons may cover topics like Python Extension Libraries, data manipulation in Python, and model development.

Top Python for Data Science Courses Online [2025]

Explore the Python for Data Science Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
IBM
Python for Data Science, AI & Development
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Analysis, Python Programming, Pandas (Python Package), Data Collection, Data Structures, Data Manipulation, Programming Principles, NumPy, Application Programming Interface (API), Data Import/Export, Jupyter, File Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
42K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Analysis with Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Wrangling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data Import/Export, Data Transformation, Predictive Modeling, Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Regression Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Data-Driven Decision-Making, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Statistical Analysis, Supervised Learning, Machine Learning Methods, Python Programming, NumPy, Data Visualization
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
19K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Preview
University of Colorado Boulder
Introduction to Python for Scientific Computing
Skills you'll gain: Scientific Visualization, NumPy, Data Visualization, Matplotlib, Debugging, Numerical Analysis, Engineering Calculations, Integrated Development Environments, Programming Principles, Computational Thinking, Engineering Analysis, Data Analysis, Computer Programming
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google
Get Started with Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Manipulation, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Jupyter, Python Programming, Pandas (Python Package), Data Structures, Data Analysis, Programming Principles, Analytical Skills, NumPy, Data Cleansing, Algorithms, Data Visualization
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Data Wrangling, Unsupervised Learning, Exploratory Data Analysis, SQL, Matplotlib, Supervised Learning, Data Literacy, Relational Databases, Data Manipulation, Applied Machine Learning, Data Import/Export, Data Visualization Software, Professional Networking, Predictive Modeling, Plotly, Dashboard, Generative AI, Jupyter, Data Science, Web Scraping
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
146K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Fractal Analytics
Python for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Data Presentation, Data Wrangling, Jupyter, Data Storytelling, Statistics, Pandas (Python Package), Data Processing, Data Science, Data Manipulation, Data Cleansing, Statistical Analysis, Data Transformation, Data Analysis, Programming Principles, Python Programming, Matplotlib
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
50 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

Start my career

Change my career

Grow in my current role

Explore topics outside of work

Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Science Fundamentals with Python and SQL
Skills you'll gain: SQL, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Relational Databases, Statistical Analysis, Dashboard, Descriptive Statistics, Jupyter, Data Visualization, Stored Procedure, Statistical Methods, Web Scraping, Probability Distribution, Probability & Statistics, Statistics, Data Analysis Software, Data Visualization Software, Data Science, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Analysis, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
73K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Coursera
Python for Data Science (and Version Control with GitHub)
Skills you'll gain: Matplotlib, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Plotly, Statistical Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Pandas (Python Package), GitHub, A/B Testing, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Python Programming, NumPy, Data Import/Export, Data Analysis, Data Transformation, Version Control, Data Cleansing, Anomaly Detection
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Introduction to Data Science in Python
Skills you'll gain: Pandas (Python Package), Statistical Methods, Data Manipulation, NumPy, Statistical Analysis, Data Science, Sampling (Statistics), Probability & Statistics, Unstructured Data, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Python Programming, Data Cleansing, Data Analysis, Data Import/Export, Programming Principles
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
27K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Python Project for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Web Scraping, Jupyter, Pandas (Python Package), Interactive Data Visualization, Data Structures, Data Processing, Data Science, Python Programming, Data Analysis, Data Capture, NumPy, Data Manipulation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.7K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Python for Everybody
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, JSON, Data Processing, SQL, Web Scraping, Relational Databases, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Databases, Database Management, Data Modeling, Data Visualization, Programming Principles, Data Structures, Data Cleansing, Web Services, Interactive Data Visualization, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Software Installation, File Management
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
278K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Applied Data Science with Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Matplotlib, Network Analysis, Machine Learning Algorithms, Supervised Learning, Pandas (Python Package), Data Visualization Software, Text Mining, Interactive Data Visualization, Plot (Graphics), Applied Machine Learning, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Visualization (Computer Graphics), Data Presentation, Statistical Methods, Data Manipulation, Network Model, Graph Theory, Natural Language Processing, Python Programming
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
34K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months