Data science is one of the hottest and fastest-growing job fields, with an estimated 11.5 million data science job openings by 2026. This rapid growth is no accident. The explosive volume of digital data, combined with new technologies like AI and Big Data, has unlocked unprecedented opportunities for businesses to analyze and take action on their data. It is a broad field that touches on many other areas of computer science.
Data science involves using statistical, mathematical, and analytical techniques to analyze data, extract useful information, and provide insights to help businesses make informed decisions. A data scientist utilizes these skills to develop algorithms and models that can find patterns and insights in data and communicate their findings to others so that they can make decisions based on the data.
According to multiple salaries submitted to Glassdoor, the average salary of a data scientist at an entry-level position is USD 124,000 per annum. The average pay scale ranges from USD 97,000 per annum to USD 160,000 per annum.
With so many offers and opportunities in this field and such a high demand for trained professionals, now is the time to consider making a career switch to become a future data scientist. Read further to discover how you can become a prospective data scientist with a Data Science course or degree!
How To Become A Future Data Scientist
Becoming a data scientist means acquiring new skills, knowledge, and transferable skills to succeed in this new and exciting field.
- First, you’ll need to build a solid knowledge base in computer science. It’s essential to understand the basics of algorithms, data structures, and computer architecture before you can apply these techniques to the world of data science.
- Once you have a solid grasp of computer science, you can move on to data visualization and statistics, two critical components of data science.
- Finally, knowing how to apply these skills in a real-world setting is essential. Understanding how businesses work and how data science can help them succeed is just as important as knowing the ins and outs of data science. When you’ve mastered these skills, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a future data scientist!
Data Science Courses & Degree Programs
When exploring potential data science courses at different universities or online institutions, you’ll likely come across three types of data science courses. These include diploma courses in data sciences, undergraduate data science courses, and graduate data science programmes.
There are some data science courses that are designed for students who want to pursue a career in data science but don’t have a computer science background. These programs can take 1-4 years to complete, including a thesis or research project that you’ll complete towards the end of your degree. Suppose you have a computer science background but don’t have any data science experience. In that case, you might consider pursuing a data science course, which may take one to two years, depending on the course you select.
| S.No. | Course | Level | Duration | Top University/College |
| Advanced Certification in Data Science and AI | Online Certificate | 1 Year | Indian Institute Of Technology, Madras | |
| PG Program in Data Science and Business Analytics | Postgraduate | 11 Months | The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) | |
| Bachelor of Data Science | Undergraduate | 3 Years | SP Jain School Of Global Management | |
| 3) | B.Tech Data Science & Analytics | Undergraduate | 4 Years | Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering |
| 4) | BSc in Data Science | Undergraduate | 3 Years | The NorthCap University |
| 5) | MSc in Data Science | Graduate | 1 Year | London School of Economics |
| 6) | MS in Data Science | Graduate | 2 Years | University of Michigan-Dearborn |
| 7) | Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science | PG Diploma | 1 Year | Indian Institute Of Technology, Bangalore |
Finding The Right Data Science Course For You
There are several factors to keep in mind when choosing a data science course, including the program’s curriculum, the level of difficulty, and the school’s reputation. When selecting a data science course, you’ll want to ensure that it covers suitable topics in the correct detail.
- It would be best if you do not go for a course that skims over essential topics and concepts, but you also don’t want to take a system that is too difficult for your skill level.
- It would help if you also considered the school’s reputation, as this can speak volumes about the quality of the data science course you are taking.
- You can find data science courses offered by top-tier universities like MIT, Princeton, Stanford, UT Austin, and Columbia, among others.
What Known Skills Do You Need To Become A Data Scientist?
These skills are essential for any data scientist:
1) Computer Science
As discussed above, computer science is one of the most critical skills in data science. It is especially true for non-computer science majors hoping to become data scientists. Understanding the basics of algorithms, data structures, and computer architecture is essential. It knows how to use programming languages and techniques like machine learning, data mining, and data analysis.
2) Data Visualization & Statistics
Data visualization and statistics are essential for any data scientist, but they are significant for non-computer science majors. If you have a computer science background, you may have already mastered these skills, but if not, you’ll need to learn how to visualize data and perform statistical analyses.
3) Business Acumen
Data scientists can’t just work in a lab from 9-5 and expect to be successful. Instead, they need to understand how businesses work and how to apply data science to solve real-world problems. Pursuing a business analytics course is one of the best choices you can make.
Non-computer science majors who want to become data scientists must understand how companies operate at a high level. They need to know how customers interact with businesses and how businesses make money.
4) Communication
Data science is a team sport; many data scientists work as a team. Therefore, communication skills are essential for any data scientist. However, non-computer science majors who want to become data scientists must be especially mindful of their communication skills.
5) Problem-solving/Critical Thinking
Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are essential for any data science job. Data scientists need to be able to look at a problem and break it down into smaller parts until they find a solution. Non-computer science majors who enjoy becoming data scientists need to be especially mindful of their problem-solving skills, especially in real-world problems.
To Conclude
If you’re a non-computer science major who wants to become a data scientist, you’ll need to take a data science course or degree program. When exploring potential data science courses, it’s essential to understand the different types of data science online courses and programs. Once you’ve decided which data science course to take, it’s essential to keep an eye on the program’s curriculum, level of difficulty, and the school’s reputation.
One such platform that incorporates all the necessities to become a future data scientist is Great Learning. Great Learning’s data science courses will teach you all the industry-relevant skills you need to be a successful data scientist. You will learn to collect and analyze data, build predictive models, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. Their courses will also prepare you for the job market, giving you the opportunity to network with potential employers and learn about the latest data science trends.
