From Zero to Data Science with Python
From September 14 to September 18
The course is aimed to provide Data Science Fundamentals using a hands-on approach and leveraging the powerful and comprehensive Python language and libraries. It is the perfect entry-point to start your career as a Data Scientist and, if you are a beginner, your pass for the advanced BIG DIVE modules delivered in 2020.
We’ll teach you how to program in Python on Jupyter Notebooks, how to find, explore and clean datasets, how to create graphs and simple and effective data visualizations, how to manage geospatial data and time series and how to use some of the most common Machine Learning models.
The training is designed to maximize the future use of the acquired skills in a production environment and to teach how to create a Data Science project from scratch. Teamwork sessions and top-value lectures will complete and enrich this module.
About Python and Data Science
Over the last decade Python positioned itself as standard programing language for Data Science and Machine Learning.
Python is relatively easy to learn and its syntax is built to be very readable. Physicists, neuroscientists, statisticians, developers, and data scientists contributed to create a solid range of open source libraries to import, clean and manipulate data, represent results graphically, and build the very core of machine learning algorithms. This strong community and ecosystem of technologies keeps growing, and its applications are present in any sector from research to entertainment, from e-commerce to social changes. These are the reasons why we decided to use Python to provide the fundamental skills for a wannabe Data Scientist.
Is this course for me?
The course is perfect for people with previous coding knowledge willing to re-skill or up-skill their careers in the Data sector. Maths and statistics backgrounds are welcome.
Great candidates are also Python beginners or other programming languages developers, STEM students (from High School to PhD), analyst employees to be trained, R users who want to shift to Python, Data MOOC students who want to prove themselves in the real world.
Syllabus and teachers
The main topics we will teach in this module through interactive lessons:
- Programming with Python (data structures, control flow, functions, …)
- Setting up and usage of Jupyter Notebooks for data projects
- Key statistics concepts with NumPy
- Handling different data formats with pandas
- Using Matplotlib and Seaborn for data visualizations
- Preparing dataset for Machine Learning algorithms
- Basic Machine Learning with SciKit Learn, including: Linear Regression, Support Vector Machine, and k-Means Clustering
- Fundamental steps to create your data science project and maximize its impact
This session will also include:
- Lectures by experts
- Geopandas by Maurizio Napolitano, FBK
- Timeseries and KNIME by Daniele Tonini, Target Research
- Insights on the history and future of the open source libraries, how to contribute and participate in community events
- Hands-on sessions and group exercises to put in practice the lessons learnt
Resident teachers and coordinators:
Stefania Delprete
Data Scientist at TOP-IX
Nicola Occelli
Engineer at TOP-IX
Christian Racca
BIG DIVE Program Manager
Are you interested in attending more than one BIG DIVE training module and becoming a Data Expert at 360°?
Look the other modules and leverage the discount package!
| Machine and Deep Learning Intensive (advanced class) – October 2020 |
| Communicating and Visualizing Data (beginner to intermediate class) – November 2020 |
| Deep Dive into Data Engineering (advanced class) – December 2020 |
Application process
Here’s a timeline of what will happen:
| February 17 | Registrations opening |
| May 31 |
Early-bird expiring |
| September 6 |
Registration closing |
| From Sept 14 to Sept 18 |
BIG DIVE Python for Data Science and Machine Learning |
The application process starts with a self-evaluation of the prerequisites (mostly related to your programming skills and Maths background) needed to access and fully enjoy the course. Optional skills were taken into consideration to create a balanced classroom. You can download here a preview of the questions and requirements of the official application form.
In the form, you can tell us more about you, your previous experiences and why we should choose you. We strongly encourage you to make a short video to stand out among the other candidates!
After we receive the applications our team starts the screening. Candidates might be contacted by the organizers and asked to provide more information about skills or to attend an interview (in person or using a remote audio-video communication tool). The selection process continued till the official registration closure to create progressively a class of a minimum of 8 and maximum 20 Divers.
Applicants selected before the official end of registration were asked to pay a deposit (40% of the total due fee – according to the profile). In case of missing deposit (deadline is one week after the request) the candidate loses the priority in the selection queue. In case a selected candidate renounces to participate, a new Diver is selected. The deadline for asking for the deposit refund is fifteen days before the course begins (we do not refund unused portions of the training).
If you purchase more than one module, the deposit amount, payment deadlines and refunding options will be discussed and communicated privately.
All the news about selection, exclusion and deposit request are communicated by email through the email address inserted in the application form.
Logistics and technical information
From Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Additional time was reserved for special lectures, exercises and “homework”.
One day of absence is allowed on a total of five training days.
Venue: TOP-IX headquarters in Torino (Via Maria Vittoria, 38).
Technical prerequisites: bring with you your laptop. You’ll need a recent and updated web browser to run Jupyter Notebooks, we’ll send you more details in advance for further installations where needed.
Training language: English.
Accommodation, food and travel: these expenses are not included in the course fee. We will send you some recommendations (how to stay, where to eat, … ) based on our experience.
Organizer and partners
BIG DIVE 2020 is organized by:
In collaboration with:
With the patronage of:
A pleasure not only for the mind…
The venue for the course is a recently renovated space in a beautiful historical building in the center of Turin close to the river.
Check the frequently asked questions
A copy of your University ID card or any certificate proving you are a student at the time of application. You can send it at info.bigdive@top-ix.org after you filled up the form online.
We highly suggest to review your basic maths and statistics knowledge, and get a graps on Python and Jupyter Notebook.
Then during the course will review from the basics to the necessary skills to start Datat Science journey.
We will send you some resources in order to start ready for the intense week together.
As BIG DIVE will be taught in English, proper conversation and writing skills are required.
Please write us to info.bigdive@top-ix.org for any clarifications.
You video is strongly suggested for selection purposes, the letters of recommendation are not mandatory.
We encourage you do add them to your application to get know you and your motivation better and better evaluate your profile.
The course is designed to be fully-attended in Turin, Italy.
Yes, at the end of this course you’ll receive a certificate of attendance if you take part at more than 85% of the lessons and activities.
As this year BIG DIVE 2020 is divided in four modules, you’ll receive one certificate for each module you would decide to attend.
Yes, you can download a courtesy application form in PDF on this link.
It includes the full list of questions and requirements.
Yes, from this link you can download a PDF of BIG DIVE 2020’s pamphlet here.
It can be useful to be shown to different department in you organization.