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Data Science Fundamentals

Analytics interface on tablet
COM SCI X 450.00

Designed for students with limited programming, statistics, or data analytics knowledge, this data science overview course is ideal for beginners, business analysts, or non-tech managers interested in the field.

Typically Available
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Duration
As few as 11 weeks
Units
4.0
Current Formats
In Person
Online
Live Online
Cost
Starting at $1,100.00

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What you can learn.

Formulate clear analytical questions and hypotheses that guide data‑driven decision‑making across business and organizational contexts.
Prepare, clean, and explore datasets using Excel and Python to uncover patterns, assess data quality, and support foundational statistical analysis.
Apply basic statistical methods and introductory predictive modeling techniques to real‑world datasets and interpret the results in a meaningful, actionable way.
Communicate insights effectively through visualizations, written reports, and presentations that translate analytical findings into clear recommendations for stakeholders.

About This Course

This hands‑on, exercise‑driven course introduces students to the foundational concepts, tools, and analytical techniques that underpin modern data‑driven decision‑making. Learners will explore the role of data science in organizational strategy while developing practical skills in basic statistics, introductory Python programming, and data analysis using both Excel and Python. Designed for beginners, business analysts, and non‑technical managers, the course emphasizes accessible, real‑world problem‑solving through in‑class activities and applied assignments.

Students will gain experience preparing, cleaning, and exploring datasets; applying statistical reasoning; and conducting introductory predictive modeling and forecasting. The curriculum also focuses on developing the ability to communicate insights effectively through visualizations, written reports, and presentations. By the end of the course, learners will be equipped to formulate meaningful analytical questions, work confidently with data, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.

Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites, however, we recommend taking COM SCI X 414.20 Fundamentals of Software Development and Programming before enrolling in Data Science Fundamentals.

Summer 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Wednesday 6:00PM - 9:00PM PT
Instructor:
REG#
408868
Fee:
$1,100.00
In Personformat icon
UCLA
Updating...
Notes

Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted.

Enrollment deadline: June 28th, 2026.

Deadline
No refunds after June 17, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Wed Jun 24, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Jul 1, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Jul 8, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Jul 15, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Jul 22, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Jul 29, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Aug 5, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Aug 12, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Aug 19, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Aug 26, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Sep 2, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Instructor:
REG#
408869
Fee:
$1,100.00
Onlineformat icon
Updating...
Notes

Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Enrollment deadline: June 28th, 2026.

Deadline
No refunds after June 15, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

Fall 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Wednesday 6:00PM - 9:00PM PT
Instructor:
REG#
410147
Fee:
$1,100.00
In Personformat icon
UCLA
Updating...
Notes
Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Enrollment deadline: September 27, 2026.
Deadline
Refunds only available from July 27, 2026 to October 04, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Wed Sep 23, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Sep 30, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Oct 7, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Oct 14, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Oct 21, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Oct 28, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Nov 4, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Nov 18, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Nov 25, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
Lecture
Wed Dec 2, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg. 1337
-
Tuesday 6:00PM - 9:00PM PT
REG#
410148
Live Onlineformat icon
Remote Classroom
Updating...
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Tue Jan 6, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Lecture
Tue Jan 13, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Lecture
Tue Jan 20, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Lecture
Tue Jan 27, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Lecture
Tue Feb 3, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Lecture
Tue Feb 10, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Lecture
Tue Feb 17, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Lecture
Tue Feb 24, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Lecture
Tue Mar 3, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Lecture
Tue Mar 10, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Lecture
Tue Mar 17, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning

This course applies toward the following programs

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certificate
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Learn to leverage the power of big data to extract insights and improve decision making for real-world problems. Gain hands-on experience in data management and visualization, machine learning, statistical models, and more for a career in data science.