Python for Data Science, AI & Development
Kickstart your Python journey with this beginner-friendly, self-paced course taught by an expert.
Python for Data Science, AI & Development is a beginner-level online course from Coursera in Data Science. It is structured in 5 modules with 4 stated learning outcomes, over 24h 20m. Learners rate it 4.6/5 from 43.9K ratings on Coursera.
Part of our Data Science courses collection, where we compare it against 26 other courses. See all Data Science courses on Coursera.
Course highlights
| Provider | Coursera |
| Duration | 24h 20m |
| Level | Beginner |
| Mode | Self-paced |
| Language | English |
| Certificate | Yes — shareable certificate |
| Rating | 4.6★ (43.9K reviews) |
| Price | Check price |
About this course
This course introduces Python programming for data science and AI tasks. You develop a foundational understanding of Python syntax, data types, expressions, variables, and string operations. The course then applies programming logic using data structures, conditions and branching, loops, functions, exception handling, objects, and classes. You demonstrate proficiency using Python libraries such as Pandas and NumPy and develop code in Jupyter Notebooks. A key practical skill is accessing and extracting web-based data by working with REST APIs using requests and performing web scraping with BeautifulSoup.
Offered by IBM, the course is designed for beginners with no prior programming experience. It is self-paced, so you can start and stop according to your schedule. The course takes approximately 24 hours and 20 minutes to complete. Upon finishing, you earn a shareable certificate that can be added to your LinkedIn profile.
Honest limits: the course does not cover advanced machine learning model building or deep neural networks. It focuses on programming fundamentals and data access rather than model development. Learners who want to build and train machine learning models may prefer the Deep Learning Specialization or the Complete A.I. & Machine Learning, Data Science Bootcamp, both of which include hands-on model work. If your goal is web development with Python, a dedicated Django or Flask course would be a better fit.
Free options include the free-to-audit track, which gives you access to all course materials but does not award the certificate. The full certificate track requires purchase, and eligible learners may start with a free trial. No prior programming experience is required to begin.
What you’ll learn
Level and time commitment
- No prior programming experience required!
Skills you’ll gain
What this course covers
5 modulesThe 5-part outline Coursera publishes for this course, across 24h 20m.
Module 1 · Python Basics
Module 2 · Python Data Structures
Module 3 · Python Programming Fundamentals
Module 4 · Working with Data in Python
Module 5 · APIs and Data Collection
What learners rate it
Rated 4.6/5 by 43.9K learners on Coursera (checked 8 Nov 2026).
This rating is collected by Coursera from its own enrolled learners. We reproduce it as reported and do not accept paid or incentivised reviews. See it on Coursera →
Compiled by the CoursesGlobal editorial desk. Fees, ratings, duration and certificate details for the 1 course shown are read directly from Coursera course pages — we never estimate a price or a rating. Last verified 8 November 2026.
How we compare and rank courses · Our review policy · Affiliate disclosure
Compare with alternatives
Same topic, different trade-offs — here's who runs each one and what it's best at.
| Course | Provider | Rating | Price | Duration | Why pick this one | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Python for Data Science, AI & Development This |
 Coursera
|
4.6★ | Check price | 24h 20m | Quickest to finish (24h 20m) | |
| Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate |
Coursera
|
4.8★ | Check price | 6 months | Highest rated (4.8★ from 182.9K reviews) | View ↗ |
| Deep Learning Specialization |
Coursera
|
4.8★ | Check price | 3 months | For learners past the basics · 3 months | View ↗ |
| Python for Data Science | Learn Python Online | Udacity | Udacity | 4.8★ | Check price | 3 months | Beginner-friendly · 3 months | View ↗ |
Where Data Science leads
Roles we map to Data Science on CoursesGlobal. This is our own mapping of subject to job, not a placement claim by Coursera.
Browse every course we track for one of these — courses for data scientists.
Common questions
How much does Python for Data Science, AI & Development cost?
Coursera does not publish a price we can read on the course page, so we do not show one. Check the fee on the provider site — we would rather say nothing than quote a number we did not collect.
Does Python for Data Science, AI & Development come with a certificate?
Yes — Coursera lists a certificate on completion. It is a course certificate, not a formal qualification or university credit.
How long does Python for Data Science, AI & Development take?
Coursera lists it at 24h 20m. It is self-paced, so that is the volume of material rather than a deadline — how long it actually takes depends on the hours you put in each week.
Is Python for Data Science, AI & Development suitable for beginners?
Yes. Coursera lists it at Beginner level, so no prior experience in the subject is assumed.
What does Python for Data Science, AI & Development cover?
It is organised into 5 modules, starting with Python Basics and going on to Python Data Structures, Python Programming Fundamentals, Working with Data in Python, APIs and Data Collection. The full outline is on this page.