10 Best ML Courses to Kickstart Your Data Science Journey

Machine learning has become an essential skill for modern-day data scientists and engineers. With its growing popularity, the demand for quality machine learning courses has skyrocketed. In this article, we have curated a list of the 10 best machine learning courses, along with their costs and duration, to help you learn and excel in this fascinating field.

1. Coursera - Machine Learning by Andrew Ng (Stanford University)

This popular course, taught by renowned Stanford professor Andrew Ng, is perfect for beginners. It covers the fundamentals of machine learning, along with practical applications and hands-on programming exercises. You will learn about linear regression, logistic regression, support vector machines, and more.

Cost: Free to audit; $79/month for graded assignments and certification

Duration: 11 weeks (4-6 hours/week)

Link: https://www.coursera.org/learn/machine-learning

2. edX

edX offer 3000+ courses, including courses on Machine Learning, Data Science and Deep Learning. Their courses are provided by institutions like Harvard, MiT and IBM, guaranteeing high level of teaching. One of the benefits of edX's courses is that you can get certified at the end of it.

Cost: Free to audit; $99 for verified certificate

Duration: 6 weeks (2-4 hours/week)

Link: https://www.edx.org

3. fast.ai - Practical Deep Learning for Coders

This course, developed by Jeremy Howard and Rachel Thomas, teaches deep learning from the ground up. It's aimed at coders who want to learn about deep learning and apply it to real-world problems, such as computer vision, natural language processing, and recommendation systems.

Cost: Free

Duration: 7 weeks (approximately 10 hours/week)

Link: https://course.fast.ai/

4. DataCamp

Data Camp offers a range of beginner, intermediate and advances courses. There is truly something for every ML enthusiast. DataCamp's interactive courses teach machine learning, data science, data processing fundamentals and more. As part of the package the platform allows learners to test skills, track progress and solve real-world problems using the newly acquired skills. Keep an eye out as they keep releasing new courses.

Cost: Subscription-based ($25/month for Basic plan or $33.25/month for Premium plan)

Duration: 4 weeks (4-6 hours/week)

Link: https://www.datacamp.com/

5. Udacity - Intro to Machine Learning with TensorFlow

Udacity's course offers a comprehensive introduction to machine learning using popular frameworks like TensorFlow. You will learn about neural networks, deep learning, and reinforcement learning while working on hands-on projects to build your portfolio. Udacity offers a range of different courses for inividuals and hence their platform is definitely worth taking a look.

Cost: Free

Duration: 3 months (10 hours/week)

Link: https://www.udacity.com/course/intro-to-machine-learning-with-tensorflow--nd230

6. Google - Machine Learning Crash Course

Google's Machine Learning Crash Course is an excellent resource for beginners. It offers a mix of educational content, including video lectures, practical exercises, and real-world case studies, to help you grasp fundamental machine learning concepts and techniques.

Cost: Free

Duration: 15 hours (self-paced)

Link: https://developers.google.com/machine-learning/crash-course

7. MIT Courses

MIT offers self-paced courses that covers the basics of data science and deep learning, including neural networks, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and recurrent neural networks (RNNs). The courses offer both the theory and practical applications of the topics in various domains.

Cost: Free

Duration: 14 weeks (6-8 hours/week)

Link: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science

8. Coursera - Deep Learning Specialization by deeplearning.ai

This specialization, offered by deeplearning.ai on Coursera, covers deep learning fundamentals and advanced techniques. It consists of five courses that cover topics such as neural networks, CNNs, RNNs, and natural language processing.

Cost: $49/month (financial aid available)

Duration: 4 months (5-10 hours/week)

Link: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/deep-learning

9. edX - Machine Learning Fundamentals by the University of California, San Diego

This is a comprehensive online course offered by the University of California, San Diego on the edX platform. This course is designed to equip learners with a solid understanding of core machine learning concepts and techniques. It covers both supervised and unsupervised learning, diving into various algorithms, model evaluation, and feature selection methodologies. The course is ideal for aspiring data scientists, analysts, and professionals looking to gain a strong foundation in machine learning. 

Cost: Free to audit; $350 for verified certificate

Duration: 10 weeks (8-10 hours/week)

Link: https://www.edx.org/course/machine-learning-fundamentals-uc-san-diegox-dse220x

10. Kaggle - Intro to Machine Learning

"Intro to Machine Learning" is a beginner-friendly online course offered by Kaggle, the world's largest data science and machine learning community. This course aims to provide a solid introduction to the fundamentals of machine learning, focusing on basic concepts, algorithms, and practical applications. The course is designed for individuals with some coding experience who want to delve into the world of machine learning, whether they are aspiring data scientists, analysts, or professionals seeking to enhance their skillset. 

Cost: Free

Duration: 4 weeks (3-6 hours/week)

Link: https://www.kaggle.com/learn/intro-to-machine-learning

Conclusion

These top 10 machine learning courses offer a wide range of options for learners of various skill levels and backgrounds. From foundational concepts to advanced techniques, these courses cover essential topics and provide practical applications to help you excel in the fascinating field of machine learning. However, it's important to remember that learning doesn't stop once you've completed a course. To continue growing as a machine learning professional or enthusiast, it's crucial to join online communities and engage in ongoing discussions with like-minded individuals.

We understand the importance of being part of a professional community, which is why we've written an article listing some of the best online machine learning and data science communities you should consider joining. These communities offer a wealth of resources, including expert advice, networking opportunities, and the latest industry news. By staying active in these communities, you'll be better equipped to stay current with the ever-evolving landscape of machine learning and data science, further enhancing your skills and career prospects.