About

An 11-week comprehensive certificate program covering advanced data science techniques using Python® and how to apply them in different domains

In order to become a top data scientist, besides knowing how to write programs, it is essential to know the more advanced algorithms and techniques, and how to apply them in different domains. DePaul University's Advanced Data Science with Python Program is structured for anyone interested in pursuing or furthering a career in data science and who already has foundational skills. Students in this program will deepen their existing knowledge of data science and acquire practical skills for real-world data problems.

The program starts with a survey of machine learning techniques, including traditional statistical methods, advanced clustering and classification methods, artificial neural networks, and probabilistic models. Students will learn the mathematical foundations behind all machine learning and data science algorithms covered in the program.

In the second part of the program, students will learn the necessary skills to develop and apply their knowledge in practical fields such as image and video processing, natural language processing, and recommender systems using the Python programming language. The program will broaden students' skill-set of applied data science and give students the tools to further pursue concentrations in the so mentioned analytics and machine learning fields.

Classroom lectures and demonstrations will be complemented by reading and programming assignments. The software used in the program is all open-source or is freely available for download.

Students in this program will be able to:

• Understand the role computation can play in solving problems
• Understand the mathematical foundations behind state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms
• Apply knowledge in practical use cases, justify architectural decisions and frameworks, and how they impact model performance using Python
• Learn how to work with text, image and video data
• Gain competence in some image and natural language processing algorithms, and how to implement them in Python

 

For a complete program description, download the program's brochure.

Fees

Winter Quarter 2023

Tuition

• $2,665.00

Full payment of tuition must be received before the start of the program. Students who elect to pay tuition using a credit or debit card will be assessed a non-refundable 2.75% convenience fee.

Refund/Cancellation Policy: DePaul reserves the right to cancel any program before that program’s first scheduled meeting, in which case tuition fees (but not convenience fees) will be refunded. The university's refund policy allows a return of 100% of tuition if the student drops the Advanced Data Science with Python Program within two first two weeks of the program (convenience fees will not be refunded).

Notice for Current DePaul Students

• Undergraduates: Please be aware that the tuition fee for this program is not included in the university's full-time term package pricing.

Application Fee

• $40.00non-refundable

Each program requires a $40.00 (non-refundable) application fee that can be paid online (via credit card) during the online application process. If you need to pay this fee by check or money order, please make the check or money order payable to DePaul University and send it to:

DePaul University Institute for Professional Development
243 S. Wabash Avenue
Room 301
Chicago, IL 60604

Textbooks

Textbooks are a separate purchase to be made by students. Textbook selections to be announced.

Payment Options

Fees are payable by check made out to DePaul University, or by credit card. Students who elect to pay tuition using a credit or debit card will be assessed a non-refundable 2.75% convenience fee.

Applicants who are eligible for a tuition reimbursement program offered by their employer and are interested in deferring their tuition payment using the university's Employer Tuition Deferral Plan must return the Employer Tuition Deferral Plan application to the Institute for Professional Development Office. Submitting this application to any other DePaul office may delay the student's registration process. Information about this plan, along with an application form, is found here  .

Applicants who wish to use the university's Single Term Payment Plan or a third-party billing arrangement should contact the Institute for Professional Development office at (312) 362-6282 for details.

Scholarships

The Institute for Professional Development is pleased to announce the continuation of a need-based financial award, the Chou Family IPD Scholarship, to provide funding for students interested in our certificate programs.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Applicants are expected to have experience with basic Python programming (including how to create and use packages and modules). Applicants should also be familiar with basic concepts of machine learning such as classification and clustering. It is also beneficial, but not required, to have some experience using the Pandas, NumPy, and SciPy libraries.

Course Credit

The Advanced Data Science with Python Program is catalogued as a non-credit course of DePaul University. A certificate of completion from DePaul University is awarded to those who successfully complete the program's requirements. Program requirements include reading, homework assignments, and projects. No midterm or final exams are conducted.

• Course #: IPD 337

The Advanced Data Science with Python Program is a graded course. A final grade letter as well as DePaul transcript (upon request) will be available upon program conclusion.

Application & Registration Procedure

All interested parties should apply for admission using the Institute for Professional Development's Application Form (PDF) - email the completed form to ipd@cdm.depaul.edu. Upon admission, the Institute office will contact the prospective student with registration information and instructions.

You do not have to be an existing DePaul student to take this certificate program. Registration is restricted to individuals who apply for admission to the program and receive an acceptance letter. IPD staff will register applicants upon receipt of payment and registration form.

Regular DePaul students cannot register themselves via the university's registration system. If interested in enrollment, regular DePaul students should begin by submitting an application for admission. Students must meet the program's admission criteria.