Analytics is the system of applying certain methods and techniques to understand the performance of data, generally in an organization or industry. The application of analytics can be used to uncover and interpret relevant patterns of data, which can be later used to make better decisions. Analytics relies on good data as part of its usefulness, as well as the aspects of statistics, computer programming, and operations research to quantify performance. Analytics exists in business when companies use statistics and software processes in assessing how a particular product, service, or project measures up in scope. Businesses perform analytics to pinpoint strengths, identify challenges or weaknesses that may exist, and pull out key data points to help make decisions regarding future growth for the organization.

Learning analytics is a key skill that helps you solve problems to existing challenges. When you use analytics tools to research data patterns, you use methods of analyzing performance characteristics that are essential to a business organization. This is important in today's world of big data. Understanding analytics can make you a valuable asset when assessing areas rich with recorded information, performance indicators, and target goals.

What are typical careers that use analytics?

Analytics is found in a wide range of careers, including business analyst, budget analyst, financial controller, data scientist, and operations researcher. Individuals who move into these and other careers in data analytics often work with raw data and algorithms through mechanical processes to make assumptions and theories. Essentially, with knowledge of analytics, you can move into a job that requires a familiarity with numeric relationships, data structures, and trends and metrics relevant to an organization.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn analytics?

When you take online courses in analytics, you can gain a new understanding of key concepts like data analysis and visualization, mathematical optimization, regression analysis, predictive modeling, and other areas focused on business analytics. Taking online courses about analytics can help you achieve basic data literacy to help you make more informed decisions in any area you work in, like finance, operations, or marketing. As you branch out, you may advance your analytics understanding to include how to extract and manipulate data points, how to use different statistical analysis methods to break down the data, and how to eventually interpret and present your findings.

What are the benefits of taking an online Analytics course?

Online Analytics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Analytics skills. With a wide range of Analytics classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Analytics career.

What Analytics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Analytics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Analytics Courses - Learn Analytics Online

Explore the Analytics Course Catalog

IBM
Assessment for Data Analysis and Visualization Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Data Mining, Dashboard, Microsoft Excel, Data Quality, Data Cleansing, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Spreadsheet Software, IBM Cognos Analytics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Manipulation, Data Wrangling, Analytics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
290 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Pennsylvania
Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling
Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Regression Analysis, Business Modeling, Financial Modeling, Business Mathematics, Markov Model, Probability, Predictive Analytics, Process Optimization, Risk Management, Statistics, Probability Distribution, Simulation and Simulation Software, Forecasting
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Vanderbilt University
MATLAB Programming for Engineers and Scientists
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Image Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Matlab, Machine Learning Methods, Algorithms, User Interface (UI), Applied Machine Learning, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Statistical Methods, Mathematical Software, Engineering Calculations, Data Analysis, Data Processing, Engineering Analysis, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, UI Components, Software Design, Debugging
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
Financial Analysis: Portfolios, Risks, Strategic Decisions
Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management, Investment Management, Risk Management, Financial Management, Finance, Financial Market, Investments, Financial Planning, Financial Analysis, Asset Management, Risk Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Business Valuation, Market Dynamics, Quantitative Research
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
105 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Virginia
Agile Development
Skills you'll gain: Usability Testing, Agile Product Development, Continuous Delivery, Agile Software Development, User Story, Agile Methodology, Product Testing, Agile Project Management, Team Performance Management, Team Management, Design Thinking, Team Building, Team Leadership, Product Improvement, DevOps, Customer Analysis, Analytics, Sprint Retrospectives, Product Management, Customer Insights
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Rice University
Business Statistics and Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Microsoft Excel, Pivot Tables And Charts, Regression Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Probability & Statistics, Graphing, Spreadsheet Software, Probability Distribution, Business Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Excel Formulas, Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Statistics, Business Analysis, Statistical Methods, Sample Size Determination, Statistical Inference
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Johns Hopkins University
Genomic Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Unix Commands, Biostatistics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Unix, Data Science, Data Management, Statistical Methods, Molecular Biology, Command-Line Interface, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Linux Commands, Data Analysis Software, Statistical Modeling, Data Structures, Data Analysis, R Programming, Computational Thinking, Jupyter
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
6.6K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Data Mining
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization Software, Text Mining, Data Presentation, Data Mining, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Dashboard, Tableau Software, Plot (Graphics), Natural Language Processing, Scatter Plots, Unsupervised Learning, Data Mapping, Unstructured Data, Statistical Analysis, Graphing, Big Data, Anomaly Detection, Analytics, Data Validation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Johns Hopkins University
The Data Scientist’s Toolbox
Skills you'll gain: Rmarkdown, Version Control, Data Science, Big Data, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Data Analysis, R Programming, Statistical Programming, Development Environment, Integrated Development Environments, Software Installation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
34K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Johns Hopkins University
R Programming
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Analysis, R Programming, Statistical Programming, Data Analysis, Debugging, Simulations, Computer Programming Tools, Program Development, Data Structures, Performance Tuning, Data Import/Export
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Duke University
Data Science Math Skills
Skills you'll gain: Probability, Bayesian Statistics, General Mathematics, Calculus, Graphing, Statistics, Data Science, Data Analysis, Plot (Graphics), Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, Derivatives
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Introduction to Data Science in Python
Skills you'll gain: Pandas (Python Package), Jupyter, NumPy, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Data Structures, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Cleansing, Data Import/Export, Probability & Statistics, Python Programming, Programming Principles
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
27K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks