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Applied Data Science Capstone

This is the final course in the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate as well as the Applied Data Science with Python Specialization. This capstone project course will give you the chance to practice the work that data scientists do in real life when working with datasets.

In this course you will assume the role of a Data Scientist working for a startup intending to compete with SpaceX, and in the process follow the Data Science methodology involving data collection, data wrangling, exploratory data analysis, data visualization, model development, model evaluation, and reporting your results to stakeholders.

You will be tasked with predicting if the first stage of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will land successfully. With the help of your Data Science findings and models, the competing startup you have been hired by can make more informed bids against SpaceX for a rocket launch.

In this course, there will not be much new learning, instead you’ll focus on hands-on work to demonstrate and apply what you have learnt in previous courses. By successfully completing this Capstone you will have added a project to your data science and machine learning portfolio to showcase to employers.

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Syllabus

Introduction

In this capstone, we will predict if the Falcon 9 first stage will land successfully. SpaceX advertises Falcon 9 rocket launches on its website, with a cost of 62 million dollars; other providers cost upward of 165 million dollars each, much of the savings is because SpaceX can reuse the first stage. Therefore if we can determine if the first stage will land, we can determine the cost of a launch. This information can be used if an alternate company wants to bid against SpaceX for a rocket launch. In this module, you will be provided with an overview of the problem and the tools you need to complete the course.

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Develops skills, knowledge, and tools used in industry and practice

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in data science

Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials

Requires extensive background knowledge

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Reviews summary

Hands-on data science capstone project

According to learners, this course serves as a practical capstone designed to apply concepts learned in prior courses. Many appreciate the real-world dataset and the opportunity to build a portfolio-ready project, finding the hands-on labs particularly beneficial. However, some note that the course requires a strong foundation from prerequisites and can be challenging, especially if not fully prepared. The project structure is generally seen as a good review and application of data science steps.

Uses an engaging, real-world dataset.

"The SpaceX dataset was interesting and a good subject for the capstone project."

"I liked working with the Falcon 9 landing prediction problem, it felt like a realistic task."

"Using a practical dataset really helped make the concepts stick and feel more applicable."

"The problem statement was clear and the data provided was sufficient for the task."

Project is suitable for showcasing skills.

"By completing this capstone I added a project to my portfolio to showcase to employers."

"A great way to build a portfolio piece based on a real-world problem using the full data science lifecycle."

"The project is really relevant and helps create a strong portfolio piece for job applications."

"I can definitely use this project to demonstrate my data science skills to potential employers."

Provides hands-on project experience.

"This course provided an opportunity to put my learning to test and build my first project. The project is well defined..."

"I liked the approach where it was a real-world project to practice my data science skills learned throughout the certificate program."

"The course is a perfect hands-on application of previously learned materials and good for portfolio building."

"Building this project was really great because I got to practice everything I've learned so far in a practical way."

Some parts found difficult or unclear.

"Some parts of the labs and instructions were a bit confusing, requiring extra effort to figure out."

"I struggled with debugging some of the code in the labs; clearer error messages or hints would help."

"The difficulty jumped up significantly in the later modules, especially the machine learning part."

"The grading criteria for the final submission wasn't always crystal clear."

Assumes solid understanding from prior courses.

"The course is really challenging and you need to know the basics thoroughly. Make sure to have a solid background in the previous courses."

"Need to be sure of your skills learned in prior courses or you will struggle in this capstone."

"It assumes prior knowledge from the courses in the specialization and is difficult if you haven't mastered those topics."

"I felt that some parts of the course moved a bit too quickly, assuming I had perfect recall of everything from previous modules."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Applied Data Science Capstone with these activities:

Review Python Web Scraping Fundamentals

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Grasping the fundamentals of web scraping will set a solid foundation for data collection tasks in this course.

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Follow a guided tutorial on web scraping with Python.
Practice web scraping on a simple website.

Review Linear Algebra Concepts

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Revisiting linear algebra concepts will strengthen the mathematical foundation for data science techniques.

Browse courses on Linear Algebra

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Review key linear algebra concepts (e.g., vectors, matrices, transformations).
Solve practice problems to reinforce understanding.

Discuss Data Science Techniques with Peers

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Engaging in peer discussions fosters knowledge sharing, diverse perspectives, and reinforces learning.

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Join a study group or online forum.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.
Share your own insights and help others.

Four other activities

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Attend a Machine Learning Workshop

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Participating in workshops provides opportunities for hands-on learning and networking with experts.

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Research and identify relevant machine learning workshops.
Register and attend the workshop.
Actively participate and ask questions.

Build a Dashboard to Visualize SpaceX Launch Data

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Building an interactive dashboard will provide hands-on experience with data visualization and analysis techniques covered in the course.

Browse courses on Dashboard Creation

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Choose a data visualization library (e.g., Plotly, Dash).
Create a dashboard to visualize key SpaceX launch data.
Deploy the dashboard online for easy access.

Practice Model Selection for Classification

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Regular practice with model selection and evaluation will enhance understanding and proficiency in this crucial aspect of data science.

Browse courses on Model Selection

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Review different classification algorithms.
Practice selecting and tuning models using cross-validation.

Present Data-Driven Insights to Stakeholders

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Creating a presentation for stakeholders simulates real-world scenarios and tests students' ability to communicate data-driven insights effectively.

Browse courses on Data Presentation

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Prepare a presentation outlining your findings and recommendations.
Practice delivering the presentation.
Present to a group of peers or mentors.

Career center

Learners who complete Applied Data Science Capstone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist is responsible for providing crucial insights from data to help organizations make informed decisions. You will use your knowledge of machine learning, statistics, and programming to analyze and interpret large datasets. This course will provide you with the necessary skills to become a successful Data Scientist, including data collection, wrangling, visualization, and model development. With the hands-on experience you gain in this course, you will be well-prepared to enter or advance your career in Data Science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer designs, develops, and deploys machine learning models to solve complex problems. You will use your knowledge of machine learning algorithms, programming, and cloud computing to build and maintain models that can make predictions or decisions based on data. This course will provide you with the necessary skills to become a successful Machine Learning Engineer, including model development, evaluation, and deployment. With the hands-on experience you gain in this course, you will be well-prepared to enter or advance your career in Machine Learning Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to help organizations understand their customers, products, and operations. You will use your knowledge of statistics, programming, and data visualization to extract insights from data and communicate them to stakeholders. This course will provide you with the necessary skills to become a successful Data Analyst, including data collection, wrangling, visualization, and statistical analysis. With the hands-on experience you gain in this course, you will be well-prepared to enter or advance your career in Data Analytics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Intelligence Analyst

A Business Intelligence Analyst is responsible for using data to help organizations make better decisions. You will use your knowledge of data analysis, business intelligence tools, and data visualization to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities in data. This course will provide you with the necessary skills to become a successful Business Intelligence Analyst, including data collection, wrangling, visualization, and statistical analysis. With the hands-on experience you gain in this course, you will be well-prepared to enter or advance your career in Business Intelligence.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines and infrastructure. You will use your knowledge of data engineering tools, programming, and cloud computing to ensure that data is available, reliable, and secure. This course will provide you with the necessary skills to become a successful Data Engineer, including data collection, wrangling, storage, and processing. With the hands-on experience you gain in this course, you will be well-prepared to enter or advance your career in Data Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Data Visualization Specialist

A Data Visualization Specialist is responsible for creating visual representations of data to help organizations understand their customers, products, and operations. You will use your knowledge of data visualization tools, design principles, and human perception to create visualizations that are clear, concise, and actionable. This course will provide you with the necessary skills to become a successful Data Visualization Specialist, including data visualization techniques, design principles, and user experience. With the hands-on experience you gain in this course, you will be well-prepared to enter or advance your career in Data Visualization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Visualization Specialist

Statistician

A Statistician is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help organizations make informed decisions. You will use your knowledge of statistics, probability, and data analysis to design studies, collect data, and draw conclusions from data. This course will provide you with the necessary skills to become a successful Statistician, including data collection, wrangling, visualization, and statistical analysis. With the hands-on experience you gain in this course, you will be well-prepared to enter or advance your career in Statistics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Quantitative Analyst

A Quantitative Analyst is responsible for using mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data to help organizations make investment decisions. You will use your knowledge of statistics, probability, and financial modeling to develop and implement models that can predict future financial performance. This course may provide you with some of the necessary skills to become a successful Quantitative Analyst, including data analysis, statistical modeling, and financial modeling. However, you may need to supplement your learning with additional courses or training in finance and financial modeling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Operations Research Analyst

An Operations Research Analyst is responsible for using mathematical and analytical techniques to solve complex problems in business and industry. You will use your knowledge of optimization, simulation, and data analysis to develop and implement solutions that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability. This course may provide you with some of the necessary skills to become a successful Operations Research Analyst, including data analysis, optimization, and simulation. However, you may need to supplement your learning with additional courses or training in operations research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Data Architect

A Data Architect is responsible for designing and managing data architectures to ensure that data is available, reliable, and secure. You will use your knowledge of data modeling, database design, and data integration to design and implement data architectures that meet the needs of the organization. This course may provide you with some of the necessary skills to become a successful Data Architect, including data modeling, database design, and data integration. However, you may need to supplement your learning with additional courses or training in data architecture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. You will use your knowledge of programming languages, software development tools, and software engineering principles to create software that meets the needs of users. This course may provide you with some of the necessary skills to become a successful Software Engineer, including programming, software development, and software engineering principles. However, you may need to supplement your learning with additional courses or training in software engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Computer Scientist

A Computer Scientist is responsible for conducting research in computer science and developing new technologies. You will use your knowledge of computer science theory, algorithms, and data structures to develop new ways to solve problems and improve the performance of computers. This course may provide you with some of the necessary skills to become a successful Computer Scientist, including data structures, algorithms, and computer science theory. However, you may need to supplement your learning with additional courses or training in computer science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Information Technology Specialist

An Information Technology Specialist is responsible for providing technical support and assistance to users of computer systems and networks. You will use your knowledge of computer hardware, software, and networks to troubleshoot problems, resolve issues, and provide training to users. This course may provide you with some of the necessary skills to become a successful Information Technology Specialist, including computer hardware, software, and networks. However, you may need to supplement your learning with additional courses or training in information technology.

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Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining databases to ensure that data is available, reliable, and secure. You will use your knowledge of database management systems, data storage, and data security to design, implement, and maintain databases that meet the needs of the organization. This course may provide you with some of the necessary skills to become a successful Database Administrator, including database management systems, data storage, and data security. However, you may need to supplement your learning with additional courses or training in database administration.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Web Developer

A Web Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites. You will use your knowledge of web development languages, frameworks, and tools to create websites that are user-friendly, interactive, and accessible. This course may provide you with some of the necessary skills to become a successful Web Developer, including web development languages, frameworks, and tools. However, you may need to supplement your learning with additional courses or training in web development.

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Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Applied Data Science Capstone.

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Applied Data Science Capstone

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Hands-on data science capstone project

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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