About

An 11-week comprehensive certificate program covering Python® language fundamentals and how to use Python for data analysis

Python is a popular and highly versatile programming language used in a variety of business and scientific applications. Most recently, Python’s use in data analysis has flourished, contending only with R as the top language used for transforming and analyzing large datasets.

DePaul University's Data Science: Programming with Python Program is geared towards IT professionals such as data analysts, data scientists, and computer programmers as well as professionals from other technical, engineering or scientific fields who wish to learn and harness the power of Python. The program covers a comprehensive introduction to the Python language, commonly used packages for accessing web data, and popular Python libraries used for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization. The program assumes no prior experience with Python; however, prospective students should have some previous experience programming with a modern language. See Admission for a full description of requirements.

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

Students in this program will be able to:

• Use Python syntax to write basic computer programs
• Understand the object-oriented principles of Python
• Use common packages to extract data from webpages
• Gain competence in data science methods using Python
• Learn techniques for importing, exporting, cleaning, and transforming data using open-source libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, and SciPy
• Use select machine learning algorithms in Scikit-learn to build smart models and make predictions
• Explore the data visualization capabilities of libraries such as Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Folium
  

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

Dates

Summer Quarter 2023:

• Application Deadline:May 26, 2023 *Still taking applications*
• Tuition Deadline:June 2, 2023
• Classes Begin:June 14, 2023
• Classes End:Aug. 16, 2023

Meeting Pattern

On-Campus Section

Days & Times: Wednesdays, 5:45pm-9:00pm at DePaul's Loop Campus

What if I cannot make it to every class meeting?
Attending every class is highly recommended, but is not required. Classes will be recorded, so any student who is not able to attend will be able to watch the recording of the class. Students are still expected to keep pace with the weekly topics and assignments.

Online: Sync Section

Days & Times: Wednesdays, 5:45pm-9:00pm (Central Time)

These classes take place at a specific time on a specific day, with the instructor and all the students meeting online using a synchronous meeting tool like Zoom. Classes will be recorded, so any student who is not able to join at the specified time will be able to watch the recording of the class. Before selecting this option, please carefully consider your ability to actively participate in video and audio with a reliable internet connection.

What if I cannot make it to every online synchronous class meeting?
Joining the class meetings in real-time is highly recommended, but is not required. You can still take this class by viewing the class recordings and keeping pace with the weekly topics and assignments.

Online: Async Section

These classes do not meet at a specific time on specific days. Content will be delivered via weekly pre-recorded lectures. Students follow a weekly agenda of topics and assignments, but they can view the course material at a time of their own choosing. Structured opportunities for interaction with the class and instructor are provided asynchronously.

This program has weekly course content equivalent to three hours per week. For every hour of course content, students should expect to spend two additional hours for studying, homework, labs, and other assignments.

Fees

Summer 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 Data Science: Programming with Python Program by June 28, 2023 (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.

Reading materials for certificate programs consist of textbooks and supplementary handouts. Textbook readings are considered preparatory in nature and are typically assigned prior to lectures; supplementary handouts are frequently distributed in class to provide additional information.

Textbook TBA.

Payment Options

Fees are payable by check made out to DePaul University, or online by credit/debit card or electronic check. 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.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

All interested parties should apply for admission by completing the online application; or, download and complete the Application Form and email 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.