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

Amazon Web Services
Data Analytics and Databases on AWS
Skills you'll gain: Extract, Transform, Load, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Amazon Web Services, Data Warehousing, Big Data, Databases, Business Analytics, NoSQL, Data Analysis, Data Pipelines, Unstructured Data, Data Processing, Cloud API, SQL, Data Storage, Relational Databases, Data Transformation, Data Visualization Software
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
53 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Introduction to Data Analysis Using Excel
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Pivot Tables And Charts, Graphing, Spreadsheet Software, Excel Formulas, Data Analysis, Histogram, Scatter Plots, Data Visualization Software, Data Manipulation, Data Import/Export
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
10K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Statistics with Python
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Sampling (Statistics), Statistical Modeling, Statistical Methods, Statistical Inference, Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Data Visualization, Matplotlib, Statistical Visualization, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Jupyter, Statistical Programming, Regression Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Predictive Modeling, Data Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Descriptive Statistics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Accounting Data Analytics with Python
Skills you'll gain: Jupyter, Matplotlib, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, SQL, Data Visualization Software, Seaborn, Data Processing, Data Structures, NumPy, Programming Principles, Business Analysis, Databases, Accounting, Relational Databases, Data Modeling, Python Programming, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Machine Learning, Regression Analysis
Build toward a degree
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
108 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Macquarie University
Excel Fundamentals for Data Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation, Spreadsheet Software, Data Transformation, Data Validation, Data Analysis, Pivot Tables And Charts, Automation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.1K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Mobile Marketing, Optimization Tactics, and Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Marketing Effectiveness, A/B Testing, Web Analytics, Google Analytics, Digital Marketing, Customer experience improvement, Performance Measurement, Marketing Strategies, Mobile Security, Process Optimization, Web Applications, Target Audience
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
46 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
From Data to Insights with Google Cloud
Skills you'll gain: Looker (Software), Dashboard, SQL, Data Transformation, Big Data, Google Cloud Platform, Applied Machine Learning, Data Cleansing, Machine Learning, Cloud Infrastructure, Data Import/Export, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Analysis, Data Access, Data Warehousing, Supervised Learning, Database Architecture and Administration, Data Visualization Software, Predictive Modeling, Deep Learning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Data Warehousing for Business Intelligence
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, Data Warehousing, Relational Databases, Decision Support Systems, Business Intelligence, Data Modeling, Database Management Systems, Databases, Dashboard, Business Process Management, SQL, Star Schema, Data Governance, Data Integration, Oracle Databases, Performance Measurement, Extract, Transform, Load, Business Analytics, MicroStrategy, Data Visualization Software
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.1K reviews
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Fundamentals of Visualization with Tableau
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization Software, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Dashboard, Tableau Software, Data Presentation, Tree Maps, Data Analysis, Data Import/Export
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
6.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Johns Hopkins University
Advanced Business Analytics: Excel Optimization & Simulation
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Resource Allocation, Simulation and Simulation Software, Microsoft Excel, Business Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Risk Management, Transportation Operations, Risk Analysis, Process Optimization, Statistical Methods, Business Modeling, Logistics
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Tableau Learning Partner
Tableau Business Intelligence Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Requirements Elicitation, Ad Hoc Reporting, Data Governance, Data Ethics, Tableau Software, Business Analysis, Data Literacy, Data Visualization Software, Data Warehousing, Business Metrics, Dashboard, Statistical Visualization, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Analysis, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Quality, Data Presentation, Interactive Data Visualization
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
960 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of London
Machine Learning for All
Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Machine Learning, Data Processing, Artificial Intelligence, Supervised Learning, Data Analysis, Computer Vision, Data Collection
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks