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John Vastola Follow

Dec 24, 2022 · 6 min read · · Listen

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Data Science and

Machine Learning : A
Self-Study Roadmap
From Beginner to Expert in 6 Months

“No data is clean, but most

is useful.”- Dean Abbott
Welcome to the world of data science and
machine learning! These exciting fields are
transforming industries around the globe,
and there’s never been a better time to dive in
and start learning.

But where do you start? With so many

resources and technologies to choose from, it
can be overwhelming to know where to focus
your efforts.

That’s why we’ve created this self-study

roadmap, broken down into manageable
chunks for you to tackle month by month. By
following this roadmap, you’ll be well on your
way to becoming a proficient data scientist or
machine learning engineer.

What to expect:
Build a strong foundation in
programming, statistics, and linear
algebra

Explore and analyze data using tools like

Python and SQL

Learn about supervised and unsupervised

machine learning algorithms

Study deep learning and neural networks

Apply machine learning techniques to

real-world problems

Specialize in a particular area or continue

your education with advanced courses
and resources

Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and

best practices by following influential
bloggers, joining online communities,
and continuing your education.

MONTH 1: Foundations

Photo by Hitesh Choudhary on Unsplash

Before you can start building models and

analyzing data, you need to get a solid
foundation in the basics.

Here are some key things to focus on in your

first month:

Programming: You’ll need to be

comfortable with at least one
programming language to succeed in data
science or machine learning. Python is a
popular choice in these fields, so consider
starting there. If you’re new to
programming, we recommend checking
out resources like Codeacademy or the
Python docs.

Note to the reader: It’s important to note that

Python is just one of many programming
languages that are used in data science and
machine learning. Other popular options
include R and Julia.

Statistics: A strong understanding of

statistics is essential for data science and
machine learning. Some key topics to
focus on include probability,
distributions, hypothesis testing, and
regression. We recommend starting with
an online course like Khan Academy’s
Introduction to Statistics or Coursera’s
Statistics with R Specialization

Linear algebra: Linear algebra is another

important subject for data science and
machine learning. You’ll need to
understand concepts like vectors,
matrices, and eigenvalues to succeed in
these fields. A good resource for learning
linear algebra is the textbook “Linear
Algebra and Its Applications” by Gilbert
Strang.

MONTH 2: Data Exploration and

Visualization

Now that you have a strong foundation in

programming, statistics, and linear algebra,
it’s time to start working with real data.

In this month, focus on learning how to

explore and visualize data. Some key things to
consider include:

Data manipulation: You’ll need to be

comfortable with tools like Pandas and
SQL to manipulate and clean data.
Consider taking an online course like
DataCamp’s Introduction to Data
Manipulation with Pandas to get started.

Data visualization: Visualizing data is an

important skill for any data scientist or
machine learning engineer. Consider
learning tools like Matplotlib and Seaborn
Seaborn to create beautiful and
informative plots. DataCamp’s
Introduction To Data Visualization With
Matplotlib is a great place to start.

MONTH 3: Machine Learning Basics

With your programming, statistics, and data

exploration skills in place, it’s time to dive
into machine learning.

In this month, focus on learning the basics of

machine learning, including:

Supervised learning: This is a type of

machine learning where you have labeled
data and are trying to predict a specific
output. You’ll learn about different types
of supervised learning algorithms, like
decision trees and support vector
machines, and how to apply them to real-
world problems. Coursera’s Machine
Learning with Andrew Ng is a great
resource for learning about supervised
learning.

Unsupervised learning: This is a type of

machine learning where you don’t have
labeled data and are trying to discover
patterns and relationships within the
data. You’ll learn about techniques like
clustering and dimensionality reduction,
and how to apply them to real-world
problems. A good resource for learning
about unsupervised learning is
DataCamp’s Unsupervised Learning In
Python.

MONTH 4: Deep Learning

Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash

Deep learning is a type of machine

learning that has taken the world by
storm in recent years. It involves training
artificial neural networks on large
amounts of data to perform complex
tasks, like image and speech recognition.

In this month, focus on learning about

deep learning and how to apply it to real-
world problems. Some key things to
consider include:

Neural networks: You’ll learn about the

structure and functions of artificial
neural networks, and how to build and
train them using tools like Tensorflow. A
good resource for learning about neural
networks is the textbook “Deep-Learning”
by Ian Goodfellow, Yoshua Bengio, and
Aaron Courville.

Convolutional neural networks: These are

a type of neural network specifically
designed for image recognition tasks.
You’ll learn about the structure and
functions of convolutional neural
networks, and how to build and train
them using tools like TensorFlow. A good
resource for learning about convolutional
neural networks is the course Fast.ai’s
Practical Deep Learning for Coders.

MONTH 5: Applied Machine Learning

Now that you have a solid understanding of
machine learning and deep learning, it’s time
to start applying your skills to real-world
problems.

In this month, focus on learning how to solve

common machine learning problems, like
classification, regression, and clustering. You
should also start working on your own
projects, using real data sets and
implementing the techniques you’ve learned.

Note to the reader: Practicing on real data sets

and working on projects is an essential part of the
learning process. Don’t be afraid to try new
things and make mistakes. It’s all part of the
journey.

Some resources for learning about applied

machine learning include Kaggle, a platform
for finding and participating in machine
learning competitions, and DataCamp’s
Applied Machine Learning course.

MONTH 6 and beyond: Specialized

Topics and Continuing Education

Photo by Roman Mager on Unsplash

Congratulations! By now, you should have a

solid understanding of data science and
machine learning, and be well on your way to
becoming a proficient practitioner.

But the learning doesn’t stop here. There are

always new technologies and techniques to
explore, and it’s important to keep up with the
latest developments in the field.

Consider specializing in a particular area, like

natural language processing or computer
vision, or continue your education with more
advanced courses and resources. Some good
options for continuing education include the
Data Science Master’s program at Johns
Hopkins University or the Advanced Machine
Learning Specialization on Coursera.

It’s also a good idea to join online

communities, like forums and social media
groups, where you can connect with other
data scientists and machine learning
engineers. This will give you access to
valuable resources and insights, and help you
stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best
practices in the field.

Wrapping things up
The self-study roadmap for data science and
machine learning involves building a strong
foundation in programming, statistics, and
linear algebra, and then gradually building up
your skills in data exploration, machine
learning, deep learning, and applied machine
learning. With dedication and persistence,
you can become a proficient practitioner in
these exciting and rapidly-evolving fields.
Happy learning!

So, are you ready to embark on this exciting

journey? Follow my Medium blog and start
your path towards becoming a proficient
practitioner in data science and machine
learning today!

Data Science Self Study

Machine Learning Continuing Education

Roadmaps

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