Data Science Course for Beginners by E&ICT IIT Roorkee
A month-by-month data science roadmap for beginners, what a good syllabus covers, how to choose a course, and an honest look at the 6-month Certification in Data Science and AI from E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee.
Quick answer: A data science course teaches you to collect, clean, analyse and model data so businesses can make better decisions. A strong beginner data science course covers Python, SQL, statistics, machine learning and GenAI, and ends with a portfolio project. Structured programmes run about 6 months at 8-10 hours a week, as the IIT Roorkee E&ICT programme does. Self-study has no fixed schedule, so it usually takes longer.
Last updated: 4 November 2026. Programme details were checked against Masai's official programme page on that date.
If you are searching for a data science course, you have probably noticed two things: there are hundreds of options, and most of them look identical on the surface. This guide cuts through that. You will get a clear data science roadmap for beginners, a month-by-month plan, a syllabus breakdown, a checklist for choosing the right course, and an honest look at the Certification in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee, delivered online through Masai.
Whether you are a college student, a fresher or a working professional from a non-tech background, you can use this page as your starting map.
In this guide
- What is a data science course?
- Is a data science course worth it in 2026?
- Data science roadmap for beginners: step by step
- Data science course syllabus: what a modern curriculum covers
- Data science course duration, fees and eligibility (IIT Roorkee E&ICT)
- Who teaches the programme, and what is E&ICT Academy?
- How to choose the best data science course for beginners
- Can you learn data science with no tech background?
- Data science vs machine learning vs AI course: which should you pick?
- Data science course with placement assistance: what it really means
- Career paths after a data science course
- Frequently asked questions about data science courses
- Start your data science journey
- Related reading
What is a data science course?
A data science course is a structured learning program that teaches you to extract insights from data using programming, statistics and machine learning. It typically covers Python, SQL, data visualization, predictive modeling and, increasingly in 2026, generative AI. The best courses end with a capstone project you can show to employers.
A complete data science course should include:
- Programming: Python and Jupyter/Colab notebooks
- Data handling: NumPy, pandas, data cleaning and exploratory data analysis (EDA)
- Databases: SQL, including joins and window functions
- Statistics: probability, hypothesis testing and A/B testing
- Machine learning: regression, classification, tree-based models, pipelines
- GenAI: LLM APIs, embeddings and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)
- Projects: a portfolio and a capstone that solves a real problem
Is a data science course worth it in 2026?
Yes, if the course teaches job-relevant skills and makes you build real projects. Companies across industries use data to forecast demand, predict churn and automate decisions, and AI tools have raised the bar: employers now expect data professionals to combine classic analytics with GenAI skills. A course is worth it when it gives you practice, feedback and proof of work, not just video lectures.
The real question is not "is data science worth it?" but "which learning path gets me to a portfolio fastest?" The roadmap below answers that.
Data science roadmap for beginners: step by step
To become a data scientist, learn in this order: Python and data foundations, data analysis with pandas, SQL and visualization, applied statistics, machine learning, GenAI, then build a portfolio. This sequence mirrors how modern data science courses are structured, and each stage builds directly on the last.
Step 1: Learn Python and data foundations (Months 1-2)
Start with Python: variables, data types, conditionals, loops, functions and core data structures. Work in Jupyter or Google Colab so your experiments are documented and shareable. Then learn to read and write CSV and JSON files and to pull data from REST APIs, handling status codes, authentication keys and pagination.
Milestone: Two small Python projects that read, clean and summarise a real dataset. If you need ideas, see our Python project ideas for college students.
Step 2: Master data analysis with NumPy and pandas (Months 2-3)
This is where most of a data scientist's working day happens. Learn NumPy arrays and vectorized operations, then pandas for filtering, sorting, grouping, aggregation, joins, pivots and date/time handling. Build repeatable data cleaning workflows for missing values, duplicates, outliers and messy text, and practise exploratory data analysis (EDA): asking structured questions and spotting patterns before you model anything.
Milestone: One complete EDA project with a written summary of findings.
Step 3: Add SQL, data visualization and storytelling (Months 3-4)
SQL for data analysis is among the most commonly tested skills in data interviews. Learn joins, aggregations, subqueries and filters, then window functions for rankings, running totals and cohort-style analysis. Pair it with data visualization: choosing the right chart, avoiding misleading visuals and building plots that answer a real question. Finish by learning data storytelling: context, evidence, insight, recommendation.
Milestone: An SQL-driven analysis with a clear visual narrative.
Step 4: Build your statistics foundation (Months 4-5)
You need applied statistics, not abstract theory. Focus on probability and distributions, sampling and estimation, hypothesis testing and A/B testing, and the difference between correlation and causation. Add the linear algebra intuition (vectors, scaling, similarity) that underpins most machine learning models.
Milestone: A hypothesis-testing case study, such as evaluating whether a change really improved a metric.
Step 5: Learn machine learning (Months 5-7)
Learn the full ML workflow: framing a business question as a modeling problem, choosing success metrics and splitting data into training, validation and test sets. Then build regression and classification models, evaluate them with precision, recall, F1 and confusion matrices, and move into tree-based models such as random forests and gradient boosting. Learn feature engineering and pipelines with scikit-learn, and how to debug models by detecting data leakage, handling class imbalance and running error analysis.
Step 6: Get current with GenAI for data science (Months 7-8)
This step separates a 2026-ready data professional from a 2020 one. Learn prompt engineering for applications, LLM APIs with Python, embeddings and vector search, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG): grounded Q&A over your own documents that reduces hallucinations. Practise extracting themes and insights from unstructured data such as PDFs, policies and support tickets.
Milestone: One RAG project over a real document set. New to RAG? Read What is RAG in AI?
Step 7: Build a portfolio and prepare for jobs (Months 8-10)
Publish four to five strong projects on GitHub with clear READMEs, covering EDA, SQL analytics, a classical ML model and a GenAI/RAG build. Deploy at least one as an API or simple app. Write a short post about each project, and prepare for interviews covering SQL, statistics, ML concepts and a project walkthrough. For project ideas, see our 25 data science projects for students.
The data science roadmap at a glance
These month ranges are a self-study estimate, and your pace will vary with the hours you can commit. A structured programme fixes the schedule for you: the IIT Roorkee E&ICT programme below runs for 6 months at 8-10 hours a week. For a shorter, role-focused version of this plan, see our beginner's roadmap to becoming a data scientist.
Data science course syllabus: what a modern curriculum covers
A modern data science course syllabus moves from programming to analysis, SQL, statistics, machine learning and GenAI, ending in a capstone. The table below shows how the Certification in Data Science and AI from E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee is structured, based on the official program page.
Project deliverables and case studies may differ by batch, as decided by the Institute or course faculty.
Data science course duration, fees and eligibility (IIT Roorkee E&ICT)
The Certification in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Program from E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee runs for 6 months online, with about 8-10 hours of commitment per week. It is open to students pursuing college and to graduates. Live classes run on Zoom every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00-9:30 PM, and recordings are available on the learning platform.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Course name | Certification in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence |
| Offered by | E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee (delivered with Masai) |
| Duration | 6 months |
| Time commitment | 8-10 hours per week |
| Mode | Online. Live classes on Zoom, Mon, Wed, Fri, 8:00-9:30 PM; recordings on the learning platform |
| Eligibility | Pursuing college or graduate. No prior data science experience needed |
| Admission | Sign up, clear the qualifier test, then attend counselling if shortlisted |
| Qualifier test | ₹99 (non-refundable), 60 minutes, taken online on a laptop or desktop. Batch 4 test date listed as 11 November 2026 (as of 4 November 2026) |
| Certification | Certificate of Completion from E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee, issued digitally within 2-3 months of the final exam |
| Campus immersion | Optional 2-day immersion at IIT Roorkee. No extra immersion fee; travel, food and any accommodation (listed at ₹1,200 to ₹1,500 per day) are paid by the learner |
| Capstone | End-to-end real-world AI and data science solution |
| Programme fee | ₹48,000 programme fee + ₹4,000 registration fee = ₹52,000 + GST. The programme fee is refundable as per Masai's Refund and Withdrawal Policy |
| Payment options | Upfront ₹57,360 (inclusive of GST), or EMI of ₹7,329 per month for 9 months (₹65,961 in total) via NBFC partners such as Bajaj Finance, Propelld and Varthana |
| Included in the fee | Admission kit (₹600) and assessments (₹1,400) |
Fees, batch dates and admission steps can change. Always confirm the latest details on the official program page before applying.
Admission process and qualifier test
Admission to this programme runs through a qualifier test, as listed on the official programme page. The steps are:
- Sign up and pick a slot. Register for the qualifier test and pay the non-refundable ₹99 test fee.
- Take the 60-minute test. You take it online on a laptop or desktop, once, in your allotted slot. It covers quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, data interpretation and verbal ability, and registration unlocks a free mock test.
- Attend counselling. If you clear the test and are shortlisted, you join a one-on-one counselling session and pay the ₹4,000 registration fee.
- Pay the programme fee and start learning. Pay upfront or choose an EMI.
Seats are limited, so Masai recommends taking the qualifier test as early as possible. At the time of writing (4 November 2026), Batch 4 admissions were open and the qualifier test date was listed as 11 November 2026.
Who teaches the programme, and what is E&ICT Academy?
The programme is delivered by IIT faculty and industry mentors under the guidance of Prof. Sanjeev Manhas, Principal Investigator of E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee. The programme page lists these instructors and mentors:
- Prof. Tharun Kumar Reddy Bollu: Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, IIT Roorkee
- Prof. Pawan Goyal: Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kharagpur
- Sriram Desai: Software Engineer at ByteDance
- Shubhendu Shishir: Head of Engineering at Simplismart (a GenAI inference platform)
E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee is supported by MeitY, Government of India, and runs hands-on training in emerging electronics and ICT areas to close the gap between industry demand and academic knowledge. IIT Roorkee itself was founded in 1847 as India's first engineering college and became an IIT in 2001. Masai is the ed-tech and official implementation partner of the programme, and the certificate is issued by E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee.
How to choose the best data science course for beginners
The best data science course for you is the one that matches your starting level, teaches job-relevant tools, makes you build real projects and gives you mentor feedback. Use this checklist to compare any program:
- Does the syllabus include Python, SQL, statistics and ML? Courses that skip SQL or statistics leave gaps interviewers will find.
- Is there GenAI content? In 2026, LLM APIs and RAG are part of the job.
- Do you build projects and a capstone? Certificates open doors; projects win interviews.
- Who teaches? Look for a mix of academic faculty and industry practitioners.
- Is the certificate credible? Check the issuing institution.
- What support exists? Live classes, doubt resolution and feedback beat pre-recorded videos alone.
- What does placement support actually include? Read the eligibility conditions (see below).
- Is the time commitment realistic? A program you can sustain beats a faster one you drop.
Compare more options in our guide to the best data science courses in India and the best AI and machine learning courses in India.
Can you learn data science with no tech background?
Yes. Many successful data professionals start from commerce, engineering, operations or analytics backgrounds. You do not need prior coding experience, but you do need consistency: Python and SQL are learnable with steady practice. This IIT Roorkee program is designed for undergraduate students, non-tech professionals, aspiring professionals and tech enthusiasts, with eligibility listed as pursuing college or graduate.
If you are completely new, spend two weeks on Python basics before you start any course. It makes the first modules much smoother.
Data science vs machine learning vs AI course: which should you pick?
Pick a data science course if you want to work with data end to end, from cleaning to insights to models. Pick a machine learning course if you want to focus on building and deploying models. Pick an AI course if you want to focus on LLMs and intelligent applications. For beginners, data science is the broadest starting point.
When you are ready to specialise, read our machine learning engineer roadmap. For a plain-language comparison of the three terms, see AI vs machine learning vs deep learning.
Data science course with placement assistance: what it really means
Placement assistance means support with your job search, not a guaranteed job. For this programme, eligible students receive 1 year of placement assistance from Masai, including resume review, interview coaching, LinkedIn profile enhancement and mock AI-based interviews. Eligibility requires 65% attendance and 70% overall marks. Masai states that placements are not guaranteed.
Separately, the certificate requires a minimum of 65% overall attendance and 35% in the cumulative evaluation score.
A sensible way to treat placement support: use it to sharpen your resume and interview skills, but let your portfolio do the heavy lifting.
Masai's programme page does not publish an average salary for graduates of this programme. Pay depends on your role, company, skills and experience. For market ranges, see our data scientist salary guide.
Career paths after a data science course
After a data science course, common entry points include data analyst, junior data scientist, business analyst, analytics associate and entry-level AI/ML roles. Your portfolio and SQL, Python and statistics fundamentals decide how far up that list you start. Over time, many learners specialise into machine learning engineering or GenAI application development. Not sure which role fits? Compare data analyst, data scientist and data engineer roles.
Explore the next step in our guide to the highest-paying AI and ML jobs in India.
Frequently asked questions about data science courses
What is the best data science course for beginners?
The best data science course for beginners starts from Python, includes SQL, statistics, machine learning and GenAI, and requires you to build projects and a capstone. Compare syllabus depth, mentor access, certificate credibility and support rather than just price or duration.
How long does a data science course take?
Structured programmes typically take about 6 months at 8-10 hours a week, as the IIT Roorkee E&ICT programme does. Self-study has no fixed schedule, so it usually takes longer, depending on how many hours you can commit each week.
What are the eligibility requirements for the IIT Roorkee data science course?
The program is open to students pursuing college and to graduates. You do not need prior data science experience, but you should be comfortable committing 8-10 hours per week to live classes and practice.
How much does the IIT Roorkee data science course cost?
The total fee is ₹52,000 plus GST: a ₹48,000 programme fee and a ₹4,000 registration fee. There is also a non-refundable ₹99 qualifier test fee. You can pay upfront (₹57,360 inclusive of GST) or by EMI of ₹7,329 per month for 9 months through NBFC partners. Check the official page for current pricing.
Can I do a data science course without coding knowledge?
Yes. A good beginner course teaches Python from the basics. Practise a little before you start and plan consistent weekly study time, since coding is learned by doing.
What will I learn in a data science course?
You will learn Python, NumPy and pandas, SQL, data visualization, applied statistics, machine learning and GenAI methods such as LLM APIs and RAG, then apply everything in a capstone project.
Is a data science course worth it for freshers?
Yes, if it gives you projects, mentor feedback and a credible certificate. Freshers benefit most when the course produces a portfolio they can show in interviews, since they lack work experience.
Does the course include placement assistance?
Eligible students receive 1 year of placement assistance with resume review, interview coaching, LinkedIn profile enhancement and mock AI-based interviews. Eligibility requires 65% attendance and 70% overall marks. It is assistance, not a job guarantee.
Do I get a certificate, and from whom?
Yes. Learners who meet the criteria receive a Certificate of Completion from E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee, issued digitally within 2-3 months of the final exam. The minimum requirement is 65% overall attendance and 35% in the cumulative evaluation score.
Is the data science course online or offline?
The programme is delivered online on Zoom, with live classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and recordings on the learning platform. There is also an optional 2-day campus immersion at IIT Roorkee.
Data science or machine learning course: which should I start with?
Start with data science if you are a beginner. It covers data handling, SQL, statistics and modeling, which machine learning builds on. Move into ML engineering after you have a few solid projects.
How do I get admission into the IIT Roorkee data science course?
Sign up, pay the ₹99 qualifier test fee and take the 60-minute online test. If you clear it and are shortlisted, you attend a one-on-one counselling session, pay the ₹4,000 registration fee and then pay the programme fee upfront or by EMI. Seats are limited, so take the test early.
What does the qualifier test for the IIT Roorkee data science course cover?
It covers quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, data interpretation and verbal ability. The test lasts 60 minutes, is taken once at your allotted slot on a laptop or desktop, and registration unlocks a free mock test. The test fee is ₹99 and non-refundable.
Is there a fee for the campus immersion?
Masai lists no additional campus immersion fee. Accommodation may be provided at extra cost, subject to availability, and was listed at ₹1,200 to ₹1,500 per day. Travel and food are paid by you. The immersion is optional and typically takes place towards the end of the programme.
Can international students apply for the IIT Roorkee data science course?
Yes, international students can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria: pursuing college or a graduate.
What salary can I expect after a data science course?
It depends on your role, company, skills and experience. Masai's programme page does not publish an average salary for this programme, and placement support is not a job guarantee. For market ranges, see our data scientist salary guide.
Start your data science journey
A roadmap only works when you follow it consistently, and a structured programme makes that easier. The Certification in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee takes you from Python and SQL to machine learning and GenAI in 6 months, with live classes, mentor guidance from IIT faculty and industry experts, and a capstone project. Batch 4 admissions were open on 4 November 2026 and the qualifier test date was listed as 11 November 2026, so check the programme page for the latest slot.
Explore the program and apply here