Why learn Data Science?
According to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data science is o
ne of the fastest-growing careers in the country, projected to grow by more than 30% over the next decade. Data science has also topped
LinkedIn’s Emerging Jobs Report for three years running, with the job title “Machine Intelligence Specialist” growing an incredible 74% over the past four years. Guy Berger, Principal Economist at LinkedIn, even noted in the 2020 report that “artificial intelligence and data science roles continue to proliferate across nearly every industry.”
Today, data scientists are employed at early-stage startups, Fortune 500 companies, government and nonprofit organizations, and virtually anywhere in between. Numerous activities fall within the umbrella of ‘data science,’ from business analytics to database maintenance to machine learning. These roles are amplifying (and, in some cases, replacing) traditional jobs across industries like insurance and government, taking on big initiatives from cyber security to statistical analysis.
From self-driving cars to dynamic business insights for the world's leading companies, data scientists are changing the world. If you enjoy mathematics and love using data to make decisions, a career in data science could be for you.
Our data science course curriculum
Our online data scientist courses are designed to teach you the technical and professional skills hiring managers need most. You’ll attend live, online lectures led by experienced data scientists who will train you on industry-current tools and techniques for the data science field, including best practices in the Python ecosystem.
You’ll also learn to analyze a variety of types of data, build reproducible data analytics and data-powered systems, and understand how to communicate and build on your insights. Plus, you’ll gain fundamental computer science skills and have the chance to build and contribute to real products with a team of students that you can showcase in your portfolio.
Lambda Launch & Precourse Work
All Data Science learners are required to attend Lambda School's orientation and are encouraged to complete the precourse work
Statistics Fundamentals
Data Wrangling and Storytelling, Statistical Analysis, Tests, and Experiments, Linear Algebra
Predictive Modeling
Linear Models, Model Comparison, Applied Modeling, Data Visualization
Data Engineering
Software Engineering, SQL and Databases, Productization and Cloud
Machine Learning
Natural Language Processing, Neural Network Foundations, Cutting-edge models and architectures
Computer Science
Intro to Python and OOP, Algorithms, Data Structures, Graphs, Hash Tables, and Coding Interview Tips
Labs
Participate in our in-house apprenticeship by building a real-world project in a small team
Job Search
Continuing education and ongoing Job Search Support with your Career Coach
Learn what being a Lambda School student is really like from the people who know our data science courses the best – our alumni.
Career services
Career prep is an integral part of the Lambda School data science course curriculum. You’ll complete career development assignments throughout your program to help you define your career plan, optimize your job hunt, practice your elevator pitch, and put your best foot forward.
When it’s time to start job hunting, you won’t be navigating the process alone. Here are three ways we support your career development at Lambda School:
Career Coaching
Get one-on-one mentorship from our experienced career coaches who can help you prepare for interviews, build your network, source and apply for jobs, and negotiate your salary.
Job Sourcing
Get connected to data science job opportunities in our hiring network that match your needs and skillset. You’ll also join our nationwide alumni network who can introduce you to their networks and help you get your foot in the door.
Fellows
Work for a real company for four weeks and get paid by Lambda School for your time. At the end of the fellowship, your company has the opportunity to hire you full-time.
77% of H2 2019 job-seeking Data Science graduates were hired.
Of those hired graduates, 94% were hired within 180 days.
The numbers above are based on our 2019 H2 results as of December 3, 2020. Learn more in our biannual
Student Outcomes Report, where we strive to provide transparency, consistency, and accountability around our outcomes at Lambda School.
Course schedule
Our programs are rigorous. Every day, you will spend 5 to 7 hours outside of the mandatory live class studying and coding. Although our flexible schedule is designed to fit into your life, you must invest about 40 hours a week, including:
- 8 hours of mandatory live instruction
- Daily projects, due at midnight PST
- Daily warm-ups, due at 9am PST
- Friday sprint challenges, due at 5pm PST
- Optional support hours every day
During Build Weeks and Labs, your schedule will change to include daily live stakeholder meetings, stand-ups with your teams, and more.
Data Science Admissions Process
Below you'll find everything you need to know about the application process.
Sign enrollment documents
Complete the precourse work
Step 1: Complete an application
First, tell us your name and email address (be sure it's an account you check regularly), and choose a password. You'll use these credentials to access your class materials, so please choose a strong password that you'll remember.
Next, you’ll agree to the
Lambda School Privacy Policy, which tells us that you understand how we might use your information and how we protect your data.
Once you fill out all the required fields and hit “Submit,” you’ll be redirected to the Lambda School Admissions Dashboard. There, you'll fill in your personal information, tell us about your background, and agree to the attendance policy – Lambda School is an immersive experience and we require 95% live class attendance to graduate.
Then, you'll select whether you’ll pay tuition upfront or sign an Income Share Agreement (ISA). You can learn more about the ISA by watching
this 1-minute ISA intro video, or by checking out our
Frequently Asked Questions page.
Lastly, you'll choose which program you want to enroll in. Not sure?
Take this short quiz to get matched to your perfect course.
After you complete your application, it will be sent to our Admissions Team for review. Applications to Lambda School are assessed on a rolling basis. If you’re selected to proceed with the application process, we’ll send you an email in 1-2 days.
Step 2: Pass the entrance tests
Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)
Now we'll ask you to complete a brief assessment called the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test, which helps us predict your ability to be successful at Lambda School and in your future career.
The CCAT consists of 50 questions, and you will have 15 minutes to complete the test. It's normal not to finish all 50 questions in the time allotted, so take a deep breath, do your best, and find a quiet place to work before you begin. You can find a
free downloadable CCAT study guide here.
Data Science Skills ChallengeData Science applicants are also required to complete a Data Science Skills Challenge at this stage which must be passed with a score of 11/15. You will have 45 minutes to complete the challenge.
See our DS Challenge study guide for help preparing!
Verify Your Education
If you live in DC, CA, or TX, we'll need to verify your educational background. You can upload one of the following:
1. College Transcripts
2. High School Diploma
3. GED Certificate
Alternatively, you can take the Wonderlic basic skills test. More information about ATB tests can be found here:
https://wonderlic.com/atb-testing-state-level/. Step 3: Sign documents and choose start date
Now it's time check your email, which will contain a series of tasks you'll need to complete before you can begin classes.
Choose Your Start Date
First, you need to choose your desired start date via the link in the email. This link will send you to a confirmation form, where you’ll let us know when you’d like to begin your Lambda School course, and you'll be asked to share some optional demographic information with us.
Along with the email asking you to choose your start date, you will be prompted to read through the
Lambda School Catalog (this will be sent to you in an email) to make sure you understand and are willing to adhere to our policies. You can check the Catalog out ahead of time at
lambdaschool.com/catalog to learn more about Lambda School’s style, structure, and ethos.
Sign the Enrollment AgreementAfter you’ve reviewed the Lambda School Catalog and chosen your start date, you’ll be sent the Enrollment Agreement to review, initial, and sign.
Confirm Tuition Payment Method
If you elected to pay $0 upfront and sign an Income Share Agreement (ISA), or if you sign a California retail installment contract, when you filled out your application, you’ll be directed to sign the appropriate contract. If you selected the $30k upfront option, you'll receive an invoice via email.
If you need to change your payment method, feel free to reach out to us to discuss your options.
All of the above must be completed by our enrollment deadline for the class of your choice.Step 4: Register for orientation
Now it’s time to prepare for your first day of class! The first key to success on Day One is to register for our new learner orientation, which we call “Lambda Launch.”
During
Lambda Launch, you’ll learn effective strategies for remote learning, be briefed on our academic expectations, get a crash course on how to use the software and tools needed for your program, and receive instructions for how to get help. Other than completing your precourse work, attending this orientation program is the best way you can prepare yourself to succeed at Lambda School.
Please note that Lambda Launch attendance is mandatory, and failure to attend may result in your start date being delayed.Step 5: Complete the data science precourse work
We've designed a self-paced pre-coursework experience for each course to ensure that all learners are prepared with the foundational programming concepts and skills they need to be successful in Unit 1.
Completing the precourse work is not only mandatory, it's essential for your success at Lambda School. The Lambda curriculum moves quickly and learners who do not have prior coding experience may fall behind without self-study prior to day one.
The precourse work will take you about 15 hours to complete, so please plan accordingly so you can ensure that you've completed all of the requirements before Lambda Launch begins.
Ready? Get started with Step 1 and start your application:
Apply now