The Nuts and Bolts of Machine Learning (Coursera)

Offered by Google,
The Nuts and Bolts of Machine Learning (Coursera)

This is the sixth of seven courses in the Google Advanced Data Analytics Certificate. In this course, you’ll learn about machine learning, which uses algorithms and statistics to teach computer systems to discover patterns in data. Data professionals use machine learning to help analyze large amounts of data, solve complex problems, and make accurate predictions.

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

You’ll focus on the two main types of machine learning: supervised and unsupervised. You'll learn how to apply different machine learning models to business problems and become familiar with specific models such as Naive Bayes, decision tree, random forest, and more.
Google employees who currently work in the field will guide you through this course by providing hands-on activities that simulate relevant tasks, sharing examples from their day-to-day work, and helping you enhance your data analytics skills to prepare for your career.
Learners who complete the seven courses in this program will have the skills needed to apply for data science and advanced data analytics jobs. This certificate assumes prior knowledge of foundational analytical principles, skills, and tools covered in the Google Data Analytics Certificate.
By the end of this course, you will:
-Apply feature engineering techniques using Python
-Construct a Naive Bayes model
-Describe how unsupervised learning differs from supervised learning
-Code a K-means algorithm in Python
-Evaluate and optimize the results of K-means model
-Explore decision tree models, how they work, and their advantages over other types of supervised machine learning
-Characterize bagging in machine learning, specifically for random forest models
-Distinguish boosting in machine learning, specifically for XGBoost models
-Explain tuning model parameters and how they affect performance and evaluation metrics
This course is part of the Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
The different types of machine learning
You’ll start by exploring the basic concepts of machine learning and the role of machine learning in data science. Then, you’ll review the four main types of machine learning: supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement, and deep learning.

WEEK 2
Workflow for building complex models
You’ll learn how data professionals use a structured workflow for machine learning. You'll identify the main steps of the workflow and the importance of each step in the overall process. Then, you'll learn how to apply specific machine learning models to business problems.

WEEK 3
Unsupervised learning techniques
You’ll learn more about one of the major types of machine learning: unsupervised learning. You'll begin by exploring the difference between supervised and unsupervised techniques and the benefits and uses of each approach. Then, you’ll learn how to apply two unsupervised machine learning models: clustering and K-means.

WEEK 4
Tree-based modeling
Next, you’ll focus on supervised learning. You’ll learn how to test and validate the performance of supervised machine learning models such as decision tree, random forest, and gradient boosting.

WEEK 5
Course 6 end-of-course project
You’ll complete the final end-of-course project by applying different machine learning models to a workplace scenario dataset.

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

Related Courses

An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1) (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1) (Coursera)

This two-part course is designed to help students with very little or no computing background learn the basics of building simple interactive applications. Our language of choice, Python, is an easy-to learn, high-level computer language that is used in many of the computational courses offered on Coursera. To make learning Python easy, we have developed a new browser-based programming environment that makes developing interactive applications in Python simple.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Preparing for the Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer Exam en Español (Coursera) Coursera
Google Cloud

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

En este curso, se emplea un enfoque descendente a fin de identificar las habilidades y los conocimientos adquiridos, así como poner en evidencia la información y las áreas de habilidades que requieren una preparación adicional. Puede aprovechar este curso para crear su propio plan de preparación personalizado. Lo ayudará a distinguir lo que sabe de lo que no. Además, le permitirá desarrollar y practicar las habilidades que se les exigen a los profesionales que realizan este trabajo.

Oct 5th 2026
1 Week
Introdução à Ciência da Computação com Python Parte 2 (Coursera) Coursera
Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil

Introdução à Ciência da Computação com Python Parte 2 (Coursera)

Bem vindo ao curso de Introdução à Ciência da Computação destinado aos alunos regulares da Universidade de São Paulo! Esta é a segunda parte do Curso, onde você vai continuar a aprender os principais conceitos introdutórios de Ciência da Computação e também aprenderá a desenvolver pequenos programas na linguagem Python.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introducción a la programación en Python I: Aprendiendo a programar con Python (Coursera) Coursera
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Introducción a la programación en Python I: Aprendiendo a programar con Python (Coursera)

Decía Steve Jobs que “todo el mundo debería aprender a programar un ordenador porque esto te ayuda a pensar”. Hoy en día la programación es una herramienta fundamental para el desarrollo de la tecnología moderna. Este curso te introduce en el mundo de la programación en el lenguaje Python.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Algorithmic Thinking (Part 2) (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Algorithmic Thinking (Part 2) (Coursera)

Experienced Computer Scientists analyze and solve computational problems at a level of abstraction that is beyond that of any particular programming language. This two-part class is designed to train students in the mathematical concepts and process of "Algorithmic Thinking", allowing them to build simpler, more efficient solutions to computational problems.

Oct 5th 2026
4 Weeks
Materials Data Sciences and Informatics (Coursera) Coursera
Georgia Institute of Technology

Materials Data Sciences and Informatics (Coursera)

This course aims to provide a succinct overview of the emerging discipline of Materials Informatics at the intersection of materials science, computational science, and information science. Attention is drawn to specific opportunities afforded by this new field in accelerating materials development and deployment efforts.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Applied Plotting, Charting & Data Representation in Python (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Applied Plotting, Charting & Data Representation in Python (Coursera)

This course will introduce the learner to information visualization basics, with a focus on reporting and charting using the matplotlib library. The course will start with a design and information literacy perspective, touching on what makes a good and bad visualization, and what statistical measures translate into in terms of visualizations. The second week will focus on the technology used to make visualizations in python, matplotlib, and introduce users to best practices when creating basic charts and how to realize design decisions in the framework.

Oct 5th 2026
4 Weeks
An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 2) (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 2) (Coursera)

This two-part course is designed to help students with very little or no computing background learn the basics of building simple interactive applications. Our language of choice, Python, is an easy-to learn, high-level computer language that is used in many of the computational courses offered on Coursera. To make learning Python easy, we have developed a new browser-based programming environment that makes developing interactive applications in Python simple.

Oct 5th 2026
4 Weeks
Foundations of Data Science: K-Means Clustering in Python (Coursera) Coursera
University of London,Goldsmiths, University of London

Foundations of Data Science: K-Means Clustering in Python (Coursera)

This MOOC, designed by an academic team from Goldsmiths, University of London, will quickly introduce you to the core concepts of Data Science to prepare you for intermediate and advanced Data Science courses. It focuses on the basic mathematics, statistics and programming skills that are necessary for typical data analysis tasks.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Making Data Science Work for Clinical Reporting (Coursera) Coursera
Genentech

Making Data Science Work for Clinical Reporting (Coursera)

This course is aimed to demonstrate how principles and methods from data science can be applied in clinical reporting. By the end of the course, learners will understand what requirements there are in reporting clinical trials, and how they impact on how data science is used. The learner will see how they can work efficiently and effectively while still ensuring that they meet the needed standards.

Oct 5th 2026
4 Weeks
Computers, Waves, Simulations: A Practical Introduction to Numerical Methods using Python (Coursera) Coursera
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Computers, Waves, Simulations: A Practical Introduction to Numerical Methods using Python (Coursera)

Interested in learning how to solve partial differential equations with numerical methods and how to turn them into python codes? This course provides you with a basic introduction how to apply methods like the finite-difference method, the pseudospectral method, the linear and spectral element method to the 1D (or 2D) scalar wave equation.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introducción a la Minería de Datos (Coursera) Coursera
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Introducción a la Minería de Datos (Coursera)

En este curso, aprenderás de manera gradual y práctica los conceptos básicos de Minería de Datos, junto a los algoritmos más utilizados hoy en día. Al finalizar el curso, serás capaz de entender la importancia de manejar la información y de explorar por ti mismo distintas bases de datos reales. Este curso es el primer paso para convertirte en un/a profesional con habilidades básicas de un científico de datos o Data Scientist, de manera tal que puedas abrirle la puerta al futuro.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks