What is feature engineering?

Feature engineering is a process within machine learning that transforms raw data into features that a machine can recognize as part of the problem to be solved. It's a way of manually improving the observations and variables that a machine is learning based upon the data that you have. Features are tables that consist of the variables and observations that are meaningful to the problem you're trying to solve. Feature engineering consists of determining which features work best with the problem you're solving, creating the features, checking how the features work, and improving them.

Why is it important to learn feature engineering?

It's important to learn about the process of feature engineering because it can influence the result of solving a problem better than relying on algorithms alone, which means you can better solve problems based on the data that you have. When you use feature engineering properly, you can exert a positive influence on the results you achieve from the data that you're working with. To put it simply, the better features you put into the machine, the better problem solutions you'll see as a result. That's where a thorough knowledge of feature engineering comes in. The better you are at inputting features, the better you'll be at making the most of your data.

What are careers that rely on knowledge of feature engineering?

Data analysts and engineers call upon their knowledge of feature engineering in their careers. Engineers in a host of disciplines analyze, clean, and improve the data that they work with every day, and you'll find data specialists who work with feature engineering in fields as vast as healthcare, aerospace, and defense. The growing fields of mobile gaming and e-commerce also hire feature engineers to better analyze the data that they depend on.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn feature engineering?

Whether you're looking to learn the basics of feature engineering or acquire more advanced knowledge, taking online courses on Coursera and partners like IBM and Google can help you learn the concepts and practical applications of feature engineering. You can learn about how feature engineering works in certain applications like Google Cloud or MATLAB or aim for a specialized certificate. No matter which of the feature engineering courses you choose to take, you'll have the opportunity to learn new skills that may be beneficial to your career.

What are the benefits of taking an online Feature Engineering course?

Online Feature Engineering courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Feature Engineering skills. Choose from a wide range of Feature Engineering courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Feature Engineering courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Feature Engineering, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Feature Engineering Courses - Learn Feature Engineering Online

Explore the Feature Engineering Course Catalog

Duke University
Introduction to Genetics and Evolution
Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biology, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, Environment, Laboratory Research, Taxonomy, Scientific Methods, Experimentation, Mathematical Modeling
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Meta Back-End Developer
Skills you'll gain: Django (Web Framework), Full-Stack Web Development, Version Control, Restful API, Data Structures, Unix Commands, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Git (Version Control System), Back-End Web Development, GitHub, Web Design and Development, Relational Databases, Front-End Web Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Database Management Systems, SQL, Database Design, Unit Testing, Algorithms, Web Development
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9.2K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
AI Agents in Java with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI Agents, Productivity, Java, Agentic systems, OpenAI, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Software Design, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Brainstorming, Software Architecture, Software Development Tools, Secure Coding, Application Development, Business Logic, Systems Integration
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.9K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
ChatGPT + Zapier: AI-Powered Email Mastery
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Productivity, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Calendar Management, Organizational Skills, Gmail, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, HubSpot CRM, Business Process Automation, Google Sheets, Google Workspace, Data Integration, Automation, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Google Docs, Workflow Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.9K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Generative AI SQL Database Specialist with ChatGPT
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Database Design, Productivity, Data Migration, Generative AI, Software Documentation, SQL, Dashboard, Artificial Intelligence, Database Management, Data Visualization, Large Language Modeling, Gap Analysis, Database Architecture and Administration, Technical Design, Data Storytelling, Data Analysis, Debugging, Data-Driven Decision-Making
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.9K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Supply Chain Management
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Sourcing, Lean Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, Demand Planning, Procurement, Supplier Relationship Management, Forecasting, Process Improvement, Supplier Management, Operations Management, Customer Demand Planning, Purchasing, Production Process, Supply Management, Operational Efficiency, Warehouse Management, Supply Chain Planning, Inventory and Warehousing, Inventory Management System, Transportation, Supply Chain, and Logistics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
15K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
Skills you'll gain: Basic Electrical Systems, Electrical Engineering, Torque (Physics), Physics, Electrical Systems, Engineering Analysis, Electronic Components, Mechanics, Electronic Systems, Mathematical Modeling, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Calculations, Calculus, Advanced Mathematics, Trigonometry, Linear Algebra
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
210 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Master Microsoft Office 365 and Power Platform
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft Copilot, Prompt Engineering, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Power BI, Multimedia, Microsoft PowerPoint, Dashboard, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Microsoft Word, Microsoft 365, Data Visualization, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Microsoft Outlook, Data Integration, Business Intelligence, Business Process Automation, Productivity Software
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Skills you'll gain: Keyword Research, Search Engine Optimization, Web Analytics and SEO, Content Creation, Social Media Strategy, Competitive Analysis, Target Audience, Client Services, Content Marketing, Peer Review, Social Media Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Google Analytics, Presentations, Marketing, Forecasting, Digital Marketing, Expectation Management, Content Strategy, User Research
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Imperial College London
Mathematics for Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: Linear Algebra, Dimensionality Reduction, NumPy, Regression Analysis, Calculus, Applied Mathematics, Probability & Statistics, Feature Engineering, Data Transformation, Jupyter, Data Science, Advanced Mathematics, Statistics, Machine Learning Algorithms, Machine Learning Methods, Statistical Analysis, Artificial Neural Networks, Algorithms, Data Manipulation, Python Programming
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
15K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Data Architecture
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Data Warehousing, SQL, Apache Hadoop, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Data Security, Linux Commands, Data Migration, Database Design, Data Governance, MySQL, Apache Spark, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Database Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Database Architecture and Administration, Data Store
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
6.6K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Peking University
Chinese for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: Language Learning, Language Competency, Vocabulary, Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
20K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months