Big Data and analytical skills are becoming an important part of the IT industry worldwide. Hence, there is a growing demand for people who possess the required skills and above all, are competent to work in these core sectors.
However, acquiring big data and analytical skills is not as difficult as one tends to believe. Generally, there are many other online courses that are available for free, while you can take paid, specialized courses to improve your skills.
Here we list nine top free online courses to boost the Big Data and Analytical Skills.
Basics of Big Data
For starters, the Basics of Big Data is a very important course. It helps you understand what Big Data is all about. Free online courses are available from Udemy. It includes online tutorials on Hadoop, Hive, MapReduce, Spark, and Pigs. This course provides you with essential information related to Big Data and provides an in-depth understanding of various technologies that are currently in use. Udemy’s free online course also gives you real-world success stories to help you better understand what Big Data is all about. Take this course as launch-pad for your career in Big Data.
Spark for Starters
Databricks, the parent organization of Spark provides several online courses free. The best among these for Big Data and Analytical Skills is the introduction to Spark. You can also learn Apache Spark, which is vital for you to build a career in companies that look at complex analysis from real-time data acquired through multiple sources, Databricks’ other free online courses help you develop more skills.
R-Basics
Also available free from Udemy, R-Basics allows you to learn about open statistical program language- R. The course covers everything from downloading and installing R as well as its support packages, simple steps on utilizing the program and various code lines. This free course includes videos and self-assessment tests.
Python for Starters
Offered by Python Software Foundation this free online course is vital for Big Data and Analytics. “Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language. It incorporates modules, exceptions, dynamic typing, very high-level dynamic data types, and classes. Python combines remarkable power with very clear syntax. Python is portable: it runs on many Unix variants, on the Mac, and on Windows 2000 and later,” says it’s providers. You can read the free beginner’s guide and take online tutorials for using this software.
Basics of Machine Learning
Available from Udacity, this course for beginners is free. However, you need to know basics of Python and use of statistics. Other than Udacity, there are various other online free tutorials that help you get insights into machine learning. These basic and free courses enable you to choose a machine learning course that can help make a career in this field.
Level Probability and Statistics Guide
You can avail a free, self-learning course on Level Probability and Statistics from the Stanford University. However, this is only an introduction to the subject. You will need to further develop your skills in Level Probability and Statistics use by hands-on training or through a paid course.
Free Artificial Intelligence Basics for Beginners
Udacity also offers a free course on Artificial Intelligence Basics for beginners. This self-paced and self-learning course is aimed at creating a better understanding about AI and its uses, future projections and practical uses in Big Data and Analysis.
Data Management with R
Data Management with R course to boost your Big Data and Analytical Skills is available free from a variety of sources. It teaches you how to use R for data analysis, statistical computing, and reading graphics. The course is available from Microsoft for free but you have to pay for the certification.
Hadoop for Starters
For those with Linux and Java skills, Hadoop Starter Kit is an excellent free online course for beginners. “The objective of this course is to walk you through step by step of all the core components in Hadoop but more importantly make Hadoop learning experience easy and fun. By enrolling in this course you can also get free access to our multi-node Hadoop training cluster so you can try out what you learn right away in a real multi-node distributed environment,” states website of Udemy, its provider.
In Conclusion
It is vital to remember, these free courses usually serve as an introduction to the complex field of Big Data and Analysis. You may wish to opt for paid courses that are available from various reputed providers, to acquire additional skills for making a career.
In general, there are online courses that are free; others charge a fee for the exams and certification- which is worth the money. Learning about Big Data and Analytics from any of the above mentioned courses is advisable. Considering the high salaries, a profession in Big Data and Analytics fetches. Exam fees and certifications usually cost between US$ 25 and US$ 100, depending upon the free course. Charges vary according to your country of residence.
