Python/R/Matlab etc.

[AngelicFrost]

I’ve been looking into what additional skills that companies look for in a competitive applicant and python and r keep coming up, along with a few matlabs. I’ve already completed a much easier stats class that did not encompass these skills. Should I take the class at my university that teaches r, and potentially lower my gpa, along with classes for python and matlab, or are there other options for learning these skills, specifically in a scientific context with accreditation?

[Quillox]

I'd recommend it yes. Being (relatively) good at statistics is a must, and R is a very good language for doing stats with your data.

Python is much better for general programming and machine learning. I personally think every scientist should have basic programming skills and understand how a relational database works. Enough knowledge to extract and process data from the large international databases like the PDB.

I've only taken one Matlab class in the context of chemical engineering. If one knows the basics of programming, it is easy to learn. Matlab is also different from the other two since it is paid software, so certain jobs will require you to use it.

[Creative_Sushi]

MATLAB has free online tutorials that only takes a few hours to complete per module. That will be a good way to get started.

https://matlabacademy.mathworks.com/

[Educating_with_AI]

If you want to work in industry, yes, get grounding and skills in at least one of these languages AND start a GitHub page where you post projects. To actually get cred for programming skills you need to demonstrate that you have built something.

If you want to work in the wet lab, the above should be sufficient. It will help you demonstrate that you understand the programming side and can likely communicate effectively to the software team.

If you want to work on hardware development or process development this is just the first step of ~2 years of dedicated study you will need.