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Get ahead w/ Data Analysis & Visualization skills. Enhance your career by learning to analyze data using Excel spreadsheets, and create stunning visualizations and interactive dashboards with Cognos.
Instructors: IBM Skills Network Team
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All you need to get started is basic computer literacy, high school math, comfort working with numbers, willingness to self-learn online.
(2,868 reviews)
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Beginner level
All you need to get started is basic computer literacy, high school math, comfort working with numbers, willingness to self-learn online.
Describe the data ecosystem, tasks a Data Analyst performs, as well as skills and tools required for successful data analysis
Explain basic functionality of spreadsheets and utilize Excel to perform a variety of data analysis tasks like data wrangling and data mining
List various types of charts and plots and create them in Excel as well as work with Cognos Analytics to generate interactive dashboards
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Deriving insights from data and communicating findings has become an increasingly important part of virtually every profession. This Specialization prepares you for this data-driven transformation by teaching you the core principles of data analysis and visualization and by giving you the tools and hands-on practice to communicate the results of your data discoveries effectively.
You will be introduced to the modern data ecosystem. You will learn the skills required to successfully start data analysis tasks by becoming familiar with spreadsheets like Excel. You will examine different data sets, load them into the spreadsheet, and employ techniques like summarization, sorting, filtering, & creating pivot tables.
Creating stunning visualizations is a critical part of communicating your data analysis results. You will use Excel spreadsheets to create the many different types of data visualizations such as line plots, bar charts, pie charts. You will also create advanced visualizations such as treemaps, scatter charts & map charts. You will then build interactive dashboards.
This Specialization is designed for learners interested in starting a career in the field of Data or Business Analytics, as well as those in other professions, who need basic data analysis and visualization skills to supplement their primary job tasks.
This program is ACE® recommended—when you complete, you can earn up to 9 college credits.
Applied Learning Project
Build your data analytics portfolio as you gain practical experience from producing artifacts in the interactive labs and projects throughout this program. Each course has a culminating project to apply your newfound skills:
In the first course, create visualizations to detect fraud by analyzing credit card data.
In the second course, import, clean, and analyze fleet vehicle inventory with Excel pivot tables.
In the third course, use car sales key performance indicator (KPI) data to create an interactive dashboard with stunning visualizations using Excel and IBM Cognos Analytics.
Only a modern web browser is required to complete these practical exercises and projects — no need to download or install anything on your device.
Explain what Data Analytics is and the key steps in the Data Analytics process
Differentiate between different data roles such as Data Engineer, Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Business Analyst, and Business Intelligence Analyst
Describe the different types of data structures, file formats, and sources of data
Describe the data analysis process involving collecting, wrangling, mining, and visualizing data
Display working knowledge of Excel for Data Analysis.
Perform basic spreadsheet tasks including navigation, data entry, and using formulas.
Employ data quality techniques to import and clean data in Excel.
Analyze data in spreadsheets by using filter, sort, look-up functions, as well as pivot tables.
Create basic visualizations such as line graphs, bar graphs, and pie charts using Excel spreadsheets.
Explain the important role charts play in telling a data-driven story.
Construct advanced charts and visualizations such as Treemaps, Sparklines, Histogram, Scatter Plots, and Filled Map Charts.
Build and share interactive dashboards using Excel and Cognos Analytics.
Demonstrate readiness for performing foundational data analysis and data visualization tasks and key steps in the Data Analytics process.
Differentiate between the roles different data professionals play in a modern data ecosystem.
Perform basic Excel tasks for Data Analysis including data quality and data preparation skills.
Exhibit abilities in visualizing data using Excel and proficiency in creating dashboards using Excel and Cognos Analytics.
At IBM, we know how rapidly tech evolves and recognize the crucial need for businesses and professionals to build job-ready, hands-on skills quickly. As a market-leading tech innovator, we’re committed to helping you thrive in this dynamic landscape. Through IBM Skills Network, our expertly designed training programs in AI, software development, cybersecurity, data science, business management, and more, provide the essential skills you need to secure your first job, advance your career, or drive business success. Whether you’re upskilling yourself or your team, our courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates build the technical expertise that ensures you, and your organization, excel in a competitive world.
When you complete this Specialization, you may be able to have your learning recognized for credit if you are admitted and enroll in one of the following online degree programs.¹
When you complete this Specialization, you may be able to have your learning recognized for credit if you are admitted and enroll in one of the following online degree programs.¹
University of Maryland Global Campus
Degree
University of Maryland Global Campus
Degree
Illinois Tech
Degree
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
This Specialization has ACE® recommendation. It is eligible for college credit at participating U.S. colleges and universities. Note: The decision to accept specific credit recommendations is up to each institution.
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Completing this specialization requires 30-36 hours of effort. Working 10-12 hours a week, it can be complete in about a month. Or if working 3-4 hours per week, it would take 2-3 months to complete.
This program does not pre-req any prior programming or statistical skills, and is suitable for learners with or without college degrees. All you need to get started is basic computer literacy, high school math, comfort working with numbers, willingness to self-learn online, and the desire to enrich your profile with valuable skills.
Yes, it is strongly recommended to take the courses in the order suggested as the courses build upon the concepts in the previous courses.
Yes. The IBM Data Analysis and Visualization Foundations Specialization recently secured a credit recommendation from the American Council on Education's (ACE) Credit Recommendation, which is the industry standard for translating workplace learning to college credit. Learners can earn a recommendation of 9 college credits for completing the program. This aims to help open up additional pathways to learners who are interested in higher education and prepare them for entry-level jobs.
After completing this professional certificate, you will be able to
Describe the data ecosystem, tasks a Data Analyst performs, as well as skills and tools required to become a successful Data Analyst
Explain basic functionality of spreadsheets, and utilize Excel to perform a variety of data analysis tasks like data wrangling and data mining
List various types of charts and plots and create them in Excel as well as work with Cognos Analytics to generate dashboards
This specialization caters to the needs of learners interested in developing foundational knowledge in Data Analysis without programming. This includes those who are interested in starting a career in the field of Data or Business Analytics, as well as those in other professions, such as marketing & sales personnel, executives, managers, researchers, citizen journalists, bloggers, and students who need basic data analysis and visualization skills to supplement their primary job tasks.
To share proof of completion with schools, certificate graduates will receive an email prompting them to claim their Credlybadge, which contains the ACE®️credit recommendation. Once claimed, you will receive a competency-based transcript that signifies the credit recommendation, which can be shared directly with a school from the Credly platform. Please note that the decision to accept specific credit recommendations is up to each institution and is not guaranteed.
Please see Coursera’s ACE Recommendations FAQ.
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.