Key details
- Programme typeOnline Certificate Course
- LocationOnline
- Start date5 Mar 2025 - Open
- Duration8 weeks
- Commitment7–10 hours per week
- DepartmentDepartment of Statistics
Overview
Machine learning is becoming an increasingly important analytical tool, enabling businesses to extract meaningful information from raw data, offering accurate analyses and complex solutions to data-rich problems. The Machine Learning: Practical Applications online certificate course from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) focuses on the practical applications of machine learning in modern business analytics and equips you with the technical skills and knowledge to apply machine learning techniques to real-world business problems.
Divided into two parts, the first part of the course explores how to learn from data, introducing you to the core principles of machine learning. During the second part of the course, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of a variety of machine learning techniques that you can apply when analysing big data including regression, variable selection and shrinkage methods, classification, tree-based methods, ensemble learning, unsupervised learning, and an introduction to neural networks. Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll learn how to match a suitable machine learning technique to a particular problem to make accurate predictions and inform business decisions.
Understand how these methods can help data scientists, business leaders, analysts, and professionals problem-solve and innovate through informed, data-driven decision-making.
Impact
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A comprehensive understanding of the core principles of machine learning
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Gain insight into the business applications of machine learning and develop the technical and practical skills to apply machine learning to solve real-world problems in your business context
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Gain in-depth understanding of a variety of machine learning techniques including regression, variable-selection and shrinkage methods, classification, tree-based methods, ensemble learning, unsupervised learning, and an introduction to neural networks
- Learn how to match a suitable machine learning technique to a particular problem to make accurate predictions and inform business decisions
Programme content
This online certificate course is 8 weeks (excluding orientation week) with a time commitment of 7-10 hours per week.
Who attends?
- Mid to senior managers, data specialists, consultants, analysts, and IT and business professionals interested in exploring the integration of machine learning into an organisation for effective data analytics
- Those who are interested in upskilling, transitioning into a data science role, or seeking a better understanding of the business applications of data science across industries and business areas
Why LSE?
LSE Online builds on our 125 year tradition of exploring the interconnected, multidisciplinary nature of our world that shape society and business globally. Since our inception in 1895, LSE has been a pioneer in providing courses for professional development. Our founding commitment is to understand the causes of things for the betterment of society. Never has this been a more important goal than in these times of unparalleled change. We provide you with the insights and skills to think critically and independently. To make the connections, see the greater picture. To shape the future by understanding today. Whatever stage you are in your life and career. Wherever you are in the world.
Faculty
The design of this online certificate course is guided by LSE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.
Dr Kostas Kalogeropoulos
Associate Professor and MSc Statistics Programme Director
Dr Yining Chen
Associate Professor
Dr Xinghao Qiao
Associate Professor of Statistics
Department overview
The Department of Statistics at LSE is home to internationally respected experts in statistics and data science. Maintaining and advancing our leading reputation for teaching and research is our top priority. The department offers a vibrant research environment with specialisms in four main areas: data science, probability in finance and insurance, social statistics, and time series and statistical learning.
Fees and entry requirements
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an LSE certificate of competence.
This course is technical in nature. It makes use of coding in R and covers the application of machine learning in business. Some algebraic and calculus knowledge is strongly advised, but is not required. Tertiary level statistics and knowledge of a functional or object oriented language is advantageous. HTML is not considered a programming language in this context. No specific software is required for this online certificate course.