Use this table to compare our programs in data science and systematic program design to choose the one best suited to your professional and career goals.
| UBC Certificate in Key Capabilities in Data Science | Intro to Systematic Program Design in Python | |
|---|---|---|
| Program summary | Key Capabilities in Data Science is designed to give you a solid understanding of data science principles you can use as a launchpad for further studies or to put you on a path to a career in data science | Intro to Systematic Program Design in Python is a foundational program that offers skills and best practices for writing organized and well-documented programs in Python that can be applied to any programming language |
| Number of courses |
4 |
2 |
| Duration | 27 weeks | 18 weeks |
| Total number of instructional hours | 150 hours | 160 hours |
| Expected effort | 8–12 hours/week | ~10 hours/week |
| Facilitated and supported by | UBC Computer Science and Department of Statistics professors and instructors | UBC Computer Science professors and instructors |
| Gain these technical skills | Key data science and statistical principles and hands-on experience applicable to a wide range of fields and sectors
Data analysis |
Foundational skills to write small, organized and well-documented programs
Systematic approaches to writing code using Python |
| Build these transferrable career skills | Learn essential data science concepts and principles
Visualize data effectively to be able to tell great data stories |
Gain confidence in programming, and learn the problem-solving skills used by top programmers |
| Technical knowledge /background needed |
This program doesn’t require a background in data or technology. Some students may have been exposed to data analytics or statistics through their workplace or other courses. |
You should be comfortable working with software and applications. However, you don’t need a background in computer science to take this program. |
| Take this program if | You want to upskill with data science skills for your current role, or explore data science career options |
You want to upskill with programming skills for your current role, or plan to pursue further education in this field |