What is the registration process?
Courses are available on a first-come, first serve basis and we encourage you to register for your selected courses as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
What is the cost?
The cost of each course is $950.00 CAD. We offer a 10% discount to UofT faculty, staff, students and alumni and individuals appointed at DSI member institutions.
Can I apply for OSAP to cover DSI Certificate and course tuition costs?
Yes! All the DSI Certificate courses are eligible for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). If you are registering for our courses, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 towards your Certificate or courses.
For details, please check the Financial Assistance page.
How do I earn a certificate?
To earn a Data Science Certificate, you must complete at least six (6) out of the eight (8) offerings, including Data Science Foundations. Of course, you can complete all 8 courses if you wish.
You have 2 years to complete the certificate.
How is the certificate structured?
The DSI Data Science Certificate is built around a series of core courses essential to establishing a strong foundation in data science. To earn the Certificate, you must complete at least six (6) out of the eight (8) offerings, including Data Science Foundations. Each course is 7 hours per week over 3 weeks.
Courses include Data Science Foundations, Introduction to R, Introduction to Python, Data Storage and Access, Sampling, Estimation, Testing and Learning, Visualization, and Causal Inference.
Can I take only certain courses?
Learners have the option to choose a single course to improve their skills in a specific area or earn a certificate. They will learn and understand how to apply the core competencies in foundational data science, for example, mastering popular data analysis tools including SQL, R, and Python, as well as gain hands-on experience through real-world case studies.
We have both the certificate and individual course completion badge options available.
Is the certificate available online?
This certificate offers you flexibility with each course offered fully online (synchronous).
How long is each course?
Each course is 7 hours per week over 3 weeks.
When are courses offered?
The typical course schedule will be as follows, although courses may be rescheduled to accommodate statutory and university-scheduled holidays.
- Monday 6-8PM ET (2 hours)
- Thursday 6-8PM ET (2 hours)
- Saturday 9AM-noon ET (3 hours)
Is there a specific order I need to take the courses?
We recommend you take the Data Science Foundations first, but courses can be taken in any order. To earn the Data Science Certificate, you must complete six (6) out of the eight (8) offerings, including Data Science Foundations.
What is the assessment for the courses?
Course assessments are based on aspects that could include: in-class participation, attendance, in-class quizzes, homework assignments, exams, and case study style assessment. To pass a course, a learner must achieve over 70% across these assessments. There is no assessable group work. Detailed rubric and assessment will be provided by each course instructor.
Do the courses/program offer after-class tutorial sessions?
Yes. The TA tutorial schedule is as below:
- 5-6 PM on Mondays & Thursdays (1 hour before class);
- 8:30-9AM and noon-12:30PM on Saturdays (half an hour before and after class).
Can I keep working while attending the course/certificate program?
Our courses and program were designed for working and busy professionals, all the classes are scheduled on weekday nights and weekend mornings.
Can I take the courses/program if I am self-employed or not currently employed?
Yes. Although we recommend the course/program for working professionals, the only recommended prerequisite for the program is a degree in a field outside of computer science or statistics.
Do you provide industry/private-sector case studies?
Yes! The DSI Data Science Certificate includes the unique opportunity to learn from private-sector experts during the case studies in each course. The case study component provides learners with important insights into the professional world of data science analytics.
What is the policy regarding course cancellation and refund?
We issue refunds in the original method of payment and to the original payee only. Include your payment receipt when you request a refund. Email your refund request at least seven (7) working business days before the course start date.
Refunds are subject to a one hundred and ninety (190) Canadian Dollars administrative charge per course. Refunds are not possible if your request is submitted less than seven (7) working business days before the course start date. All cancellation requests must be made by email to courses.dsi@utoronto.ca.
For more information see the Cancellation and Refunds page.