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Intro to Statistics

Take Udacity's free Intro to Statistics course and learn techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics. Learn with Udacity.

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What's inside

Syllabus

1. Teaser

2. Looking at Data

3. Scatter Plots

4. Bar Charts

5. Pie Charts

6. Programming Charts (Optional)

7. Admissions Case Study

Problem Set 1: Visualization

8. Probability

9. Conditional Probability

10. Bayes Rule

11. Programming Bayes Rule (Optional)

11A. Probability Distributions

12. Correlation vs. Causation

Problem Set 2: Probability

13. Estimation

14. Averages

15. Variance

16. Programming Estimators (Optional)

Problem Set 3: Estimators

17. Outliers

18. Binomial Distribution

19A. Central Limit Theorem

19. Central Limit Theorem Programming (Optional)

20. The Normal Distribution

21. Manipulating Normals

22. Most Better than Average

Problem Set 4

23. Sebastian's Weight and Proofs (Optional)

24. Confidence Intervals

25. Normal Quantiles

26. Hypothesis Test

27. Hypothesis Test 2

28. Programming Tests and Intervals (Optional)

Problem Set 5: Inference

29. Regression

30. Correlation

31. Monty Hall Problem (Optional)

Problem Set 6: Regression and Correlation

32. Weight Case Studies

33. Flash Crash Example

34. Challenger Example

Final Exam

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches data visualization, probability, and statistical inference, which is essential for careers in data analytics, data science, and machine learning

Taught by Sebastian Thrun, a renowned expert in artificial intelligence and robotics

Develops core skills and knowledge in statistics, which is applicable to fields ranging from business to psychology

Provides hands-on practice with programming in optional modules, enhancing the learning experience

Covers a wide range of topics, providing a comprehensive foundation in statistics

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Reviews summary

Informative intro statistics

Intro to Statistics is a great choice for beginners and provides methods for solving statistical problems. Students mentioned that the course was engaging and well-taught, though some said it could improve on offering clear explanations within some lessons.

Explains concepts thoroughly

"Very good class. The material is a great preparation for Statistics 101 or for just becoming literate in probability and statistics concepts."

"The instructor explains concepts very thoroughly, with love."

Instructor's teaching style may be inconsistent

"The Teaching Assistant does not explain the concepts or even ask the questions using accurate language."

Course has outdated material

"There were some irregularities that made the course very hard to follow for a beginner."

"For instance, there were different versions of some formulae..."

Inconsistent video lengths

"The pacing between videos and quizzes is terrible in the early section with some videos consisting of :08 snippets that simply have the instructor saying "Great, you got it right" which could have easily been combined with the following video that introduces the next topic or quiz."

Some lessons lack clear explanations

"If you are looking for clear and in-depth explanations, this is definitely not the course for you."

"Some of the videos...are not clearly explained."

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 Intro to Statistics with these activities:

Probability Refresher

Show steps

Review basic probability concepts to ensure a strong foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Probability

Show steps

Review notes from previous probability courses.
Solve practice problems to refresh understanding.

Review of Introduction to Probability Models

Show steps

Review a foundational book on probability models to strengthen understanding of concepts covered in the course.

View Introduction to Probability Models on Amazon

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Read assigned chapters and take notes.
Complete practice problems at the end of each chapter.
Summarize key concepts and formulas.

Compile a Study Guide

Show steps

Create a comprehensive study guide to consolidate and reinforce learning.

Show steps

Gather notes, assignments, and practice problems.
Organize and summarize the material.
Review the study guide regularly.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Study Group Discussions

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Engage in discussions with peers to clarify concepts and reinforce understanding.

Show steps

Form a study group with classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss course material.
Take turns presenting concepts and leading discussions.

Correlation vs. Causation Tutorial

Show steps

Complete tutorials to better understand the difference between correlation and causation.

Browse courses on Probability

Show steps

Find a reputable tutorial on correlation vs. causation.
Watch the tutorial and take notes.
Summarize the key points of the tutorial.

Manipulating Normals Problems

Show steps

Solve problems to better understand the concept of manipulating normal distributions.

Show steps

Review notes and textbook on manipulating normal distributions.
Solve at least 10 practice problems.
Check answers and identify areas for improvement.

Data Visualization Dashboard

Show steps

Create a data visualization dashboard to display and analyze data related to the course topics.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

Show steps

Gather data from relevant sources.
Choose appropriate data visualization techniques.
Create the dashboard using a data visualization tool.
Analyze the data and draw insights.
Present the dashboard to peers or instructors for feedback.

Contribute to a Data Science Open Source Project

Show steps

Contribute to an open-source data science project to apply and enhance skills learned in the course.

Browse courses on Data Science

Show steps

Identify an open-source data science project.
Review the project's documentation and codebase.
Identify an area where you can contribute.
Make a pull request with your contribution.
Get feedback from the project maintainers and make necessary revisions.

Career center

Learners who complete Intro to Statistics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst takes raw data from companies and organizations and turns it into usable information. This role involves cleaning data to eliminate errors, using statistical methods to find patterns and trends, and presenting data in graphs, charts, and other visualizations. An Intro to Statistics course can help build a foundation for a career as a Data Analyst. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use programming and statistical methods to analyze and interpret data. They build models to predict future events and create visualizations to communicate their findings. An Intro to Statistics course can be helpful for a career as a Data Scientist. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use statistical methods to analyze financial data and make recommendations for investments. They also develop financial models to forecast future performance. An Intro to Statistics course can help build a foundation for a career as a Financial Analyst. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Market Researcher

Market Researchers use statistical methods to collect and analyze data about consumers and markets. They use this information to develop marketing strategies and campaigns. An Intro to Statistics course can help build a foundation for a career as a Market Researcher. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and statistical methods to improve the efficiency of business operations. They analyze data, develop models, and make recommendations for improvements. An Intro to Statistics course can help build a foundation for a career as an Operations Research Analyst. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use statistical methods to analyze financial data and make investment decisions. They develop models to predict future performance and risk. An Intro to Statistics course can help build a foundation for a career as a Quantitative Analyst. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts use statistical methods to analyze data and identify potential risks. They develop models to assess the likelihood and impact of risks and make recommendations for mitigation. An Intro to Statistics course can help build a foundation for a career as a Risk Analyst. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Statistician

Statisticians use statistical methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data. They work in a variety of fields, including healthcare, finance, and education. An Intro to Statistics course can help build a foundation for a career as a Statistician. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Business Analyst

Business Analysts use data to identify and solve business problems. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, analyze data, and develop recommendations. An Intro to Statistics course can be helpful for a career as a Business Analyst. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Engineer

Data Engineers design and build systems to store, process, and analyze data. They work with data scientists and other stakeholders to ensure that data is available and usable. An Intro to Statistics course may be helpful for a career as a Data Engineer. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which can be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers build and deploy machine learning models. They work with data scientists to identify and solve business problems using machine learning. An Intro to Statistics course may be helpful for a career as a Machine Learning Engineer. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which can be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to bring products to market. An Intro to Statistics course may be helpful for a career as a Product Manager. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which can be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software. They work with users to gather requirements and develop solutions. An Intro to Statistics course may be helpful for a career as a Software Engineer. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which can be useful in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Actuary

Actuaries use statistical methods to assess and manage risk. They work with insurance companies and other financial institutions to develop products and services. An Intro to Statistics course can help build a foundation for a career as an Actuary. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations. They use statistical methods to analyze data and identify risk factors for disease. An Intro to Statistics course can help build a foundation for a career as an Epidemiologist. This course teaches techniques for visualizing relationships in data and understanding relationships using mathematics, both of which are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Reading list

We've selected 14 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 Intro to Statistics.

Introduction to Statistical Investigations

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This textbook offers a comprehensive and approachable introduction to statistics, covering essential topics such as data analysis, probability, and inference.

Introduction to Statistical Investigations

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Introduction to Statistical Investigations, Binder...

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Introduction to Statistical Investigations, 1e...

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