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: Data Import/Export, Programming Principles, Web Scraping, Python Programming, Jupyter, Data Structures, Data Processing, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, JSON, Computer Programming, Restful API, NumPy, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Scripting, Application Programming Interface (API), Automation, Data Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
43K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Analysis with Python
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Wrangling, Data Transformation, Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation, Data Import/Export, Predictive Modeling, Regression Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Data-Driven Decision-Making, Matplotlib, Feature Engineering, Data Visualization, Data Pipelines, NumPy, Python Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
19K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Google
Google Data Analysis with Python
Skills you'll gain: Pandas (Python Package), NumPy, Data Manipulation, Data Wrangling, Package and Software Management, Data Analysis, Data Transformation, Unstructured Data, JSON, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Science, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Data Import/Export, Software Design, Data Validation, Mathematical Software, Computational Logic, Data Structures
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Fractal Analytics
Python for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Feature Engineering, Data Visualization, Statistical Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Statistics, Pandas (Python Package), Data Analysis, Jupyter, Data Processing, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Data Transformation, Applied Machine Learning, Data Cleansing, Python Programming
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
88 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Wrangling, Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Data Visualization, SQL, Unsupervised Learning, Plotly, Interactive Data Visualization, Peer Review, Supervised Learning, Data Transformation, Feature Engineering, Jupyter, Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Data Literacy, Generative AI, Professional Networking, Data Import/Export
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
148K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Get Started with Python
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Structures, Python Programming, NumPy, Pandas (Python Package), Data Analysis, Scripting, Data Manipulation, Data Visualization, Algorithms, Debugging
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.7K reviews
Advanced · 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
Python Project for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Pandas (Python Package), Web Scraping, Jupyter, Matplotlib, Data Analysis, Data Science, Data Processing, Data Manipulation, Python Programming, Data Collection
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python
Skills you'll gain: SQL, Relational Databases, Stored Procedure, Databases, Query Languages, Jupyter, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Transaction Processing, Python Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Science Fundamentals with Python and SQL
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, SQL, Descriptive Statistics, Jupyter, Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Probability Distribution, Pandas (Python Package), Statistics, Data Visualization, Statistical Methods, Web Scraping, Relational Databases, Stored Procedure, Data Import/Export, Data Science, Programming Principles, Computer Programming Tools, Data Visualization Software, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
74K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Crash Course on Python
Skills you'll gain: Scripting, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Computational Thinking, Data Structures, Integrated Development Environments, Debugging, Development Environment
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
40K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Python for Everybody
Skills you'll gain: Web Scraping, Data Processing, Data Store, Relational Databases, Data Visualization, JSON, Database Design, SQL, Network Protocols, Databases, Web Services, Restful API, Data Modeling, Programming Principles, Application Programming Interface (API), Database Management, Data Cleansing, Data Structures, Computer Programming, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
279K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Applied Data Science with Python
Skills you'll gain: Matplotlib, Network Analysis, Social Network Analysis, Feature Engineering, Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, Scientific Visualization, Pandas (Python Package), Applied Machine Learning, Supervised Learning, Text Mining, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Statistical Visualization, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Jupyter, NumPy, Graph Theory, Natural Language Processing, Python Programming
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
34K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months