Harness the Power of Data and Machine Learning. Learn how to confidently act as the “translator” between your investment management team and data scientists to communicate complex data science concepts clearly to clients.

4.7

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66 ratings

Neil Govier, CFA +2 more instructors

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Data Science for Investment Professionals SpecializationCFA Institute

What you will learn

Describe and evaluate the statistical methods that underpin Machine Learning techniques
Select appropriate data visualizations and create simple visualizations using Python
Describe how Machine Learning applications can address real-world investment problems
Explain machine learning concepts and techniques to a non-expert audience

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

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This Specialization is uniquely tailored to the needs of investment professionals or those with investment industry knowledge who want to develop a basic, practical understanding of machine learning techniques and how they are used in the investment process. Through the three courses, you will learn techniques for presenting data and importance of the “data story”, produce data visualizations using Python, assess and apply probability concepts to investing scenarios, compare simple time-series models and understand their limitations, discover how machine learning applications can address investment problems, and understand how to apply the CFA Institute Ethical Decision-Making Framework to machine learning dilemmas. All that you learn in this Specialization will give you the knowledge and confidence to explain clearly and “translate” machine learning concepts and their application to real-world investment problems to a non-expert audience and clients.

Applied Learning Project

In the courses, learners will use Python to practice calculating measures of central tendency, calculating measures of dispersion, and creating data visualizations as well as see the application of Python in linear regressions and advanced regression concepts. Learners will also practice their communication skills and showcase their creativity in several peer review assignments.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 5 months to complete

Suggested pace of 3 hours/week

English

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 5 months to complete

Suggested pace of 3 hours/week

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

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How the Specialization Works

Take Courses

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 3 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

Data and Statistics Foundation for Investment Professionals

4.6

stars

45 ratings

Aimed at investment professionals or those with investment industry knowledge, this course offers an introduction to the basic data and statistical techniques that underpin data analysis and lays an essential foundation in the techniques that are used in big data and machine learning. It introduces the topics and gives practical examples of how they are used by investment professionals, including the importance of presenting the “data story" by using appropriate visualizations and report writing.

In this course you will learn how to: - Explain basic statistical measures and their application to real-life data sets - Calculate and interpret measures of dispersion and explain deviations from a normal distribution - Understand the use and appropriateness of different distributions - Compare and contrast ways of visualizing data and create them using Python (no prior knowledge of Python necessary) - Explain sampling theory and draw inferences about population parameters from sample statistics - Formulate hypotheses on investment problems This course is part of the Data Science for Investment Professionals Specialization offered by CFA Institute.

Course2

Course 2

Statistics for Machine Learning for Investment Professionals

4.7

stars

26 ratings

One of the biggest changes in the past decade is the rapid adoption of machine learning, AI, and big data in investment decision making. This course introduces learners with knowledge of the investment industry to foundational statistical concepts underpinning machine learning as well as advanced AI techniques. This course demonstrates core modeling frameworks along with carefully selected real-world investment practice examples. The course seeks to familiarize learners with two important programming languages — Python and R (no prior knowledge of Python or R necessary). The motivation is to demonstrate the elegance — and speed — simple programming brings to the investment decision-making process. The reading material in this course offers in-practice insights curated from the blogs of CFA Institute as well as other leading publications.

After taking this course you will be able to: - Describe the importance of identifying information patterns for building models - Explain probability concepts for solving investing problems - Explain the use of linear regression and interpret related Python and R code - Describe gradient descent, explain logistic regression, and interpret Python and R code - Describe the characteristics and uses of time-series models This course is part of the Data Science for Investment Professionals Specialization offered by CFA Institute.

Course3

Course 3

Machine Learning for Investment Professionals

This course is uniquely tailored to the needs of investment professionals or those with investment industry knowledge who want to develop a basic, practical understanding of machine learning techniques and how they are used in the investment process. Incorporating real-life case studies, this course covers both the technical and the “soft skills” necessary for investment professionals to stay relevant.

In this course, you will learn how to: - Distinguish between supervised and unsupervised machine learning and deep learning - Describe how machine learning algorithm performance is evaluated - Describe supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms and determine the problems they are best suited for - Describe neural networks, deep learning nets, and reinforcement learning - Choose an appropriate machine learning algorithm - Describe the value of integrating machine learning and data projects in the investment process - Work with data scientists and investment teams to harness information and insights from within large and alternative data sets - Apply the CFA Institute Ethical Decision-Making Framework to machine learning dilemmas This course is part of the Data Science for Investment Professionals Specialization offered by CFA Institute.

Instructors

Offered by

CFA Institute

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Can I take the course for free?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
Completing all three courses will take around 45–55 total study hours.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
You do not necessarily need to take them in a specific order, but we do recommend the following progression:
Data and Statistics Foundation for Investment Professionals
Statistics for Machine Learning for Investment Professionals
Machine Learning for Investment Professionals
Does completing this Specialization give me credit in any CFA Institute Programs?
No. Completing this course or any other courses offered by CFA Institute on Coursera does not count as credit in the CFA Program, CIPM Program, or any other professional certificate or credential offered by CFA Institute.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Data Science for Investment Professionals Specialization

What you will learn

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

Applied Learning Project