GC Computational Skills Training Program 2022

The Academic and Professional Fund of the Graduate Council at the University of Chicago is launching Computational Skills Training in the quarter of Spring 2022. Registered graduate students at the university will have free access to the Verified Track of the course, “Python Basics for Data Science” on EdX (read the following passages for more detailed information) and tutoring provided by experts at the University of Chicago. After completing the course, students will be awarded a certificate from IBM. The first round of registration will distribute 100 slots for this program, and these slots will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Register now to claim your place!

The registration starts at 9:00 am, April 4th, 2022. The registration ends at 5:00 pm, April 8th, 2022. (All time in Central Daylight Time, current Chicago time) After the first hundred students, those who register will be put on the waitlist and be considered for the second round when more seats become available.

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/Ey8c3UmXsz143jrn9

Overview of the program

Course content: “Python Basics for Data Science” on EdX (https://www.edx.org/course/python-basics-for-data-science?index=product&queryID=7ecf25153eca6c64ab559d544739b818&position=1) Course length: intended to be completed in 6 weeks (April 10th to May 21st, the third to eighth week of Spring 2022 quarter) with 2-5 hours commitment per week, supported by instructors. June 24th is the last day for the registered student to complete the course and earn a certificate, which makes the student eligible for reimbursement of the course cost.

Course outcome: knowledge and skills about Python and data science and a verifiable digital credential from IBM for completing the course.

How is it “free” for registered graduate students

The Verified Track of the course costs $99.00, and it allows students to acquire an institutional certificate once they complete the course. UChicago graduate students who register for this program are expected to pay $99.00 upfront when they start the program. Once they complete the program (May 21st, 2022, by expectation), they can request full reimbursement from the Graduate Council with the course certificate.

The last day to complete the course is June 25th, 2022. Considering an occasion where registered students failed to acquire the certificate by May 21st, the Graduate Council allows three extra weeks (not counting the last week of instruction and the final week) to complete the course. However. June 25th, 2022, is a hard deadline: any certificate acquired after that day will make the student illegible for requesting reimbursements.

Registered students will receive the instruction for requesting reimbursement near the end of the course.

Important notes before you sign up:

  1. There are limited slots in this GC-sponsored program. We hope this program can help graduate students who are enthusiastic about learning and see this program as an opportunity to facilitate academic and professional development.

  2. This program is essentially a course, and it requires commitment. Please respect the efforts of the GC to put up this program and the dedication of the team of expert instructors.

  3. If a student signs up for the program but decides not to complete the course, the $99.00 enrollment fee to EdX is non-refundable and illegible for reimbursement. So please consider your workload and passion before signing up. If a student encounters difficulty in completing the program, the GC A&P Fund has a professional team of experts from the university to assist.


The Graduate Council and the Academic and Professional Fund reserve the right of final interpretation for this initiative. If you have any questions, please consult Zhengyuan Ling (lingz@uchicago.edu), the head of the A&P Fund.