Thriving businesses rely on people who can make data-driven decisions, and the U of A offers an online Introduction to Data Science training course that can prepare participants for several career paths.

The self-paced course offered by the Professional and Workforce Development division of Global Campus runs from Oct. 10 through Dec. 27 for a total of 40 hours of coursework, but participants have access to it for three months. The cost is $1,195. Some non-credit courses offer a 10 percent discount to U of A faculty, staff, current students and alumni.

This crash course in data science teaches how to wrangle, cleanse, analyze and visualize data. Participants also learn statistical concepts and the basics of machine learning.

The course offers comprehensive coverage of the full data science life cycle, real-world applications and career-boosting skills. Participants will be able to dissect and understand complex datasets, extract actionable insights from data trends and translate technical results into business strategy.

By covering a variety of concepts, this course will help participants discover which aspects of data science interest them the most and what career path they would like to pursue. Possibilities include business intelligence analyst, data analyst, data scientist, data engineer, data architect and data administrator.

The main components of data science included in the course are business intelligence, data management/data engineering, statistics, machine learning, advanced computing/programming and data visualization. The course emphasizes hands-on learning, with weekly practical exercises that build on each other. It integrates ChatGPT, an AI tool, for code troubleshooting and project development.

This course is ideal for undergraduates, graduates and professionals interested in entering the field of data science, as well as for those in other disciplines seeking to apply data science principles in their fields.

Data science is commonly a collaborative field in which team members with expert knowledge in particular areas work together. Effective team members must have a base level of knowledge in other data science areas and soft skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking, communication and learning agility.

The Global Campus Professional and Workforce Development team in the Collaborative in Bentonville nurtures relationships with business and industry partners that lead to U of A training programs that help reduce skills gaps in Northwest Arkansas and across the state. These programs help professionals advance in their careers, stay up to date in their fields and move from one career to another.