Find out what data science is, what data scientists do, and whether it's the right career for you. No experience required.

Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields in the job market. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 34% employment growth for data scientists from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, with a median annual wage of $112,590.¹ That works out to about 23,400 openings projected each year over the decade. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 also ranks big data specialists and AI and machine learning specialists among the fastest-growing jobs through 2030.² This course is where you get a clear picture of the field before you commit to a learning path. This IBM course gives you a practical foundation in how data science works and how organizations use it to make decisions. Across four modules, you'll learn what data science is, how big data and cloud computing power it, and how data scientists use machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI to find patterns and make predictions. You'll see how companies apply those methods to real problems, from improving efficiency to saving lives, and what it takes to get hired as a data scientist. You'll learn from people doing the work. Working data scientists share how they define the field, how they got started, and what they'd tell someone just beginning. You'll explore data in a hands-on IBM Cloud lab, follow a case study of one data scientist's journey, and complete a final project where you analyze a real data scientist job posting against what you've learned. By the end, you'll be able to explain what data science is, describe how data scientists work, and map out your next step with confidence. Whether you're considering a career change, exploring data science for the first time, or want to work more effectively with data teams in your current role, this course gives you the foundation to start. Skills you'll gain include: - Defining data science and explaining why it matters in a data-driven world - Describing how machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI fit into data science - Explaining how big data, data mining, and cloud computing support data-driven decision-making - Understanding how data is generated, stored, and organized, including databases, data lakes, and data pipelines - Identifying the skills, backgrounds, and career paths that lead to data science roles - Evaluating real job postings and positioning yourself for the role you want Join 1.3 million+ learners (4.7 stars from 77,000+ reviews, and 97% of learners liked this course). Finish with a shareable certificate you can add to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. ¹ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists. Median wage as of May 2024; projected growth 2024 to 2034. This course provides an introduction to data science and is a first step toward data roles, not a guarantee of employment or salary. ² World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025. Rankings reflect employer survey expectations for 2025 to 2030.