Foundations learning roadmap

Python, SQL, Git and statistics. The base every data role builds on.

9 modules About 135 hoursFree resources

Start with short learning sessions here. Continue coding and project work on your laptop with the same GitHub account.

Start this path

What you'll learn

1Set Up Your Machine
Install the tools every track uses, from Python to PostgreSQL in Docker, and check each one answers.
Terminal, Python and VS Code · Git and GitHub · Docker and PostgreSQL
01
Set Up Your Machine
Install the tools every track uses, from Python to PostgreSQL in Docker, and check each one answers.
4h
2Command Line
Move around files, chain commands with pipes, and write shell scripts that fail safely.
Files, folders and permissions · Pipes and text filters · Safe shell scripts
02
Command Line
Move around files, chain commands with pipes, and write shell scripts that fail safely.
9h
3Python
Learn Python from zero and build your own small package: functions, files, errors and tests.
Python basics · Modules, files and data formats · Packages, errors and tests
03
Python
Learn Python from zero and build your own small package: functions, files, errors and tests.
20h
4Git & GitHub
Track your lab in Git, push it to GitHub, work on branches and pull requests, and fix conflicts without losing work.
Commits and history · Push, pull and clone · Branches, pull requests and conflicts
04
Git & GitHub
Track your lab in Git, push it to GitHub, work on branches and pull requests, and fix conflicts without losing work.
11h
5Data in Python
Load, clean, join, reshape and check real tables with NumPy and pandas, in the order a data job needs them.
NumPy and pandas basics · Types, missing values and dates · Join, reshape and check
05
Data in Python
Load, clean, join, reshape and check real tables with NumPy and pandas, in the order a data job needs them.
18h
6SQL
Answer questions with SQL in PostgreSQL: filter, group, join, rank and design tables, then check the totals add up.
Select, filter and group · Join and combine tables · Windows, dates and table design
06
SQL
Answer questions with SQL in PostgreSQL: filter, group, join, rank and design tables, then check the totals add up.
18h
7Statistics
Describe data honestly, measure uncertainty with samples and the bootstrap, and read tests without fooling yourself.
Describe data · Sampling and uncertainty · Tests and their traps
07
Statistics
Describe data honestly, measure uncertainty with samples and the bootstrap, and read tests without fooling yourself.
18h
8AI Literacy
Know how LLMs and embeddings work, check every AI answer against real data, and keep private data out.
How LLMs work · Prompting and checking output · Embeddings, privacy and injection
08
AI Literacy
Know how LLMs and embeddings work, check every AI answer against real data, and keep private data out.
12h
9Foundations Capstone
Build one small data investigation with every Foundations skill and push it to GitHub for review.
Pick the question · Rerun and publish it · Write the recommendation
09
Foundations Capstone
Build one small data investigation with every Foundations skill and push it to GitHub for review.
25h

What you'll learn

1Set Up Your Machine

Install the tools every track uses, from Python to PostgreSQL in Docker, and check each one answers.

Terminal, Python and VS Code · Git and GitHub · Docker and PostgreSQL

Set Up Your Machine

Install the tools every track uses, from Python to PostgreSQL in Docker, and check each one answers.

2Command Line

Move around files, chain commands with pipes, and write shell scripts that fail safely.

Files, folders and permissions · Pipes and text filters · Safe shell scripts

Command Line

Move around files, chain commands with pipes, and write shell scripts that fail safely.

3Python

Learn Python from zero and build your own small package: functions, files, errors and tests.

Python basics · Modules, files and data formats · Packages, errors and tests

Python

Learn Python from zero and build your own small package: functions, files, errors and tests.

20h

4Git & GitHub

Track your lab in Git, push it to GitHub, work on branches and pull requests, and fix conflicts without losing work.

Commits and history · Push, pull and clone · Branches, pull requests and conflicts

Git & GitHub

Track your lab in Git, push it to GitHub, work on branches and pull requests, and fix conflicts without losing work.

11h

5Data in Python

Load, clean, join, reshape and check real tables with NumPy and pandas, in the order a data job needs them.

NumPy and pandas basics · Types, missing values and dates · Join, reshape and check

Data in Python

Load, clean, join, reshape and check real tables with NumPy and pandas, in the order a data job needs them.

18h

6SQL

Answer questions with SQL in PostgreSQL: filter, group, join, rank and design tables, then check the totals add up.

Select, filter and group · Join and combine tables · Windows, dates and table design

SQL

Answer questions with SQL in PostgreSQL: filter, group, join, rank and design tables, then check the totals add up.

18h

7Statistics

Describe data honestly, measure uncertainty with samples and the bootstrap, and read tests without fooling yourself.

Describe data · Sampling and uncertainty · Tests and their traps

Statistics

Describe data honestly, measure uncertainty with samples and the bootstrap, and read tests without fooling yourself.

18h

8AI Literacy

Know how LLMs and embeddings work, check every AI answer against real data, and keep private data out.

How LLMs work · Prompting and checking output · Embeddings, privacy and injection

AI Literacy

Know how LLMs and embeddings work, check every AI answer against real data, and keep private data out.

12h

9Foundations Capstone

Build one small data investigation with every Foundations skill and push it to GitHub for review.

Pick the question · Rerun and publish it · Write the recommendation

Foundations Capstone

Build one small data investigation with every Foundations skill and push it to GitHub for review.

25h