Big Data: Statistical Inference and Machine Learning (FutureLearn)

Big Data: Statistical Inference and Machine Learning (FutureLearn)

Learn how to apply selected statistical and machine learning techniques and tools to analyse big data. Everyone has heard of big data. Many people have big data. But only some people know what to do with big data when they have it. So what’s the problem? Well, the big problem is that the data is big—the size, complexity and diversity of datasets increases every day. This means that we need new technological or methodological solutions for analysing data. There is a great demand for people with the skills and know-how to do big data analytics.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Extract information from large datasets
This free online course equips you for working with these solutions by introducing you to selected statistical and machine learning techniques used for analysing large datasets and extracting information.
Of course, we can’t teach everything in one course, so we have focused on giving an overview of a selection of common methods. You will become familiar with predictive analysis, dimension reduction, machine learning and clustering techniques. You will also discover how simple decision trees can help us make informed decisions and you can dive into statistical learning theory.

Explore real-world big data problems
These methods will be described through case studies that explain how each is applied to solve real-world problems. You can also develop your coding skills by applying the techniques you’ve just learnt to complete hands-on tasks and obtain results.
Just as there are many statistical and machine learning methods for big data analytics, there are also many software packages (see ‘Requirements’ below) that can be used for this purpose. In this course, we will expose you to three such packages, so that you can start to become familiar with using different tools, and can gain confidence in going further with these packages or using others that may come your way.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies for Business Planning and Decision-making (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University,Institute of Coding

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies for Business Planning and Decision-making (FutureLearn)

Discover how artificial intelligence can support business leaders to implement data-driven decision-making and planning. Learn how to move from data to knowledge that can inform your decision-making. On this course, you will learn how AI technology and AI processes can help businesses with both human and automated business planning and decision-making.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
Media ethics & governance (Coursera) Coursera
University of Amsterdam

Media ethics & governance (Coursera)

This course explores some of the basic theories, models and concepts in the field of media ethics. We will introduce influential ethical theories and perspectives, explore changing societal demands and expectations of media creation and media use, and we will elaborate on existing ethical norms for media professionals. After following this course, you will be able to reflect on ethical dilemmas and develop a well-substantiated argumentation for ethical decision making in a variety of media-related contexts.

Nov 16th 2026
4 Weeks
Security and Privacy for Big Data - Part 2 (Coursera) Coursera
EIT Digital

Security and Privacy for Big Data - Part 2 (Coursera)

This course sensitizes regarding privacy and data protection in Big Data environments. You will discover privacy preserving methodologies, as well as data protection regulations and concepts in your Big Data system. By the end of the course, you will be ready to plan your next Big Data project successfully, ensuring that all privacy and data protection related issues are under control.

Nov 16th 2026
1 Week
Big Data: from Data to Decisions (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Queensland University of Technology

Big Data: from Data to Decisions (FutureLearn)

Get a practical insight into big data analytics, and popular tools and frameworks for collecting, storing and managing data. Data is everywhere and can be obtained from many different sources. Digital data can be obtained from social media, images, audio recordings and sensors, and electronic data is quite often available as real-time data streams.

No sessions available
2 Weeks
Big Data Analytics: Opportunities, Challenges and the Future (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Griffith University

Big Data Analytics: Opportunities, Challenges and the Future (FutureLearn)

We produce more data than ever before. Find out how ‘big data analytics’ can help you make use of it. In the information age, we value the people who can understand the data. Put simply, ‘big data analytics’ helps us to understand the huge volume of information our world now generates. We can use analytics to uncover hidden patterns, predict trends, gauge customer opinions and so much more.

Available now
2 Weeks
Big Data Science with the BD2K-LINCS Data Coordination and Integration Center (Coursera) Coursera
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Big Data Science with the BD2K-LINCS Data Coordination and Integration Center (Coursera)

In this course we briefly introduce the DCIC and the various Centers that collect data for LINCS. We then cover metadata and how metadata is linked to ontologies. We then present data processing and normalization methods to clean and harmonize LINCS data. This follow discussions about how data is served as RESTful APIs. Most importantly, the course covers computational methods including: data clustering, gene-set enrichment analysis, interactive data visualization, and supervised learning. Finally, we introduce crowdsourcing/citizen-science projects where students can work together in teams to extract expression signatures from public databases and then query such collections of signatures against LINCS data for predicting small molecules as potential therapeutics.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Earth Monitoring (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
EUMETSAT,Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service - CAMS,European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts - ECMWF,Mercator Ocean International - MOi,European Environment Agency - EEA

Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Earth Monitoring (FutureLearn)

Explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies are helping to advance Earth monitoring. Learn to use AI and ML to improve the use of big data in Earth Monitoring. This is a fast-changing and critical time for Earth Observation (EO), especially for those involved in its use for climate and meteorology.

Oct 18th 2021
5-12 Weeks
Preparing for the Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer Exam (Coursera) Coursera
Google Cloud

Preparing for the Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer Exam (Coursera)

From the course: "The best way to prepare for the exam is to be competent in the skills required of the job." This course uses a top-down approach to recognize knowledge and skills already known, and to surface information and skill areas for additional preparation. You can use this course to help create your own custom preparation plan. It helps you distinguish what you know from what you don't know. And it helps you develop and practice skills required of practitioners who perform this job.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Machine Learning for All (Coursera) Coursera
University of London

Machine Learning for All (Coursera)

Machine Learning, often called Artificial Intelligence or AI, is one of the most exciting areas of technology at the moment. We see daily news stories that herald new breakthroughs in facial recognition technology, self driving cars or computers that can have a conversation just like a real person. Machine Learning technology is set to revolutionise almost any area of human life and work, and so will affect all our lives, and so you are likely to want to find out more about it.

Nov 16th 2026
4 Weeks
Understanding Quantum Computers (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Keio University

Understanding Quantum Computers (FutureLearn)

Explore the key concepts of quantum computing and find out how it’s changing computer science with this introductory course. In this course, we will discuss the motivation for building quantum computers, cover the important principles in quantum computing, and take a look at some of the important quantum computing algorithms.

Self Paced
3 Weeks
Business Ethics: Exploring Big Data and Tax Avoidance (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Leeds

Business Ethics: Exploring Big Data and Tax Avoidance (FutureLearn)

Learn why big data and tax avoidance are some of the biggest ethical issues facing businesses today and how they can be addressed. Explore the ethical complexities of big data and tax avoidance. Ethical behaviour brings significant benefits to businesses such as attracting employees, customers and investors. But failure to manage it properly can create huge challenges. On this course, you’ll discover big data and tax avoidance.

Self Paced
2 Weeks