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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
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There are 6 modules in this course
Dive into Chroma, the lightweight vector database transforming how AI applications handle complex data retrieval. This comprehensive course takes you from basic installation to building advanced, production-ready semantic search and RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) systems.
You'll progress through hands-on modules covering Chroma setup, data management, embedding integration, and sophisticated query techniques. Learn to configure vector stores, manage collections, integrate with cutting-edge embedding models, and develop APIs that understand meaning—not just keywords.
By the end of this course, you'll have built a complete knowledge base project that demonstrates real-world ML engineering skills. Perfect for data scientists, ML engineers, and developers looking to enhance AI applications with intelligent, context-aware search capabilities.
Who this is for: Python developers, data scientists, and ML engineers with foundational programming skills who want to implement advanced semantic search and retrieval technologies.
This module lays the essential groundwork for using Chroma. Learners will start by understanding the "why" behind local vector databases and then dive into the "what" of Chroma's architecture and SDK. The module quickly transitions into a hands-on "how-to," guiding learners through the complete installation and setup of a persistent Chroma client. By the end of this module, you will have a fully operational local Chroma instance and your first collection, ready for data.
What's included
4 videos2 readings2 assignments2 ungraded labs
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 25 minutes
Anatomy of the Chroma Python SDK•6 minutes
Install Chroma and Launch a Persistent Client•7 minutes
From Data Silos to Semantic Search•6 minutes
How-To: A Full Ingestion and Query Loop•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 12 minutes
Understanding Chroma: Core Concepts•6 minutes
The Art of Ingestion and Querying•6 minutes
2 assignments•Total 37 minutes
Full Chroma Deployment and Query Pipeline•30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Setup and Configuration•7 minutes
2 ungraded labs•Total 25 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Your First Chroma Collection•15 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Ingesting and Querying the 2k Document Set•10 minutes
Manage Data in Chroma
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
Ready to go beyond basic vector search? In this intermediate course you’ll build scalable Chroma databases, use metadata for precise filtering, design multi‑collection architectures, and create a Python ETL pipeline that ingests and organizes customer‑support tickets, delivering a production‑ready data‑management engine.
What's included
5 videos3 readings3 assignments2 ungraded labs
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 30 minutes
What are Documents, Metadata, and Filters in Chroma?•7 minutes
Add a Document with Metadata•5 minutes
Why Use Multiple Collections? Lessons from Retail and Finance•7 minutes
Scripting an Ingestion Pipeline in Python•6 minutes
Full Lifecycle Management with Python•4 minutes
3 readings•Total 15 minutes
Anatomy of a Document: Best Practices for Metadata•5 minutes
Designing a Multi-Collection Architecture•5 minutes
Mastering the Data Lifecycle: Advanced Querying, Updating, and Deleting•5 minutes
3 assignments•Total 30 minutes
Dynamic Database Management Script•20 minutes
Knowledge Check: Metadata and Filtering Concepts•5 minutes
Automation and Scale: Managing Multiple Collections•5 minutes
2 ungraded labs•Total 20 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Ingesting and Tagging Documents•10 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Maintaining the Customer Ticket Database•10 minutes
Integrate Embeddings and Chroma
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
Vector Databases for Machine Learning: Integrate Embeddings and Chroma is an intermediate course for ML engineers and AI practitioners. You’ll build automated ingestion pipelines, connect OpenAI or HuggingFace embeddings to ChromaDB, troubleshoot dimension and encoding errors, and ensure production‑grade reliability for vector search.
What's included
4 videos2 readings2 assignments1 ungraded lab
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 29 minutes
Connecting Embedding Models to a Vector Database•8 minutes
Building an Automated Vectorization Pipeline•6 minutes
Silent Failures: Preventing AI Integration Errors•6 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Implementing an Auto-Vectorization Pipeline•60 minutes
Build Chroma Search
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
Build Chroma Search is an intermediate, project‑based course for developers and aspiring ML engineers. You'll create a semantic search app using vector embeddings and Chroma, index documents with a third‑party model, expose a Flask API, measure MRR and precision@5, and deliver a portfolio‑ready, evaluated solution.
What's included
7 videos2 readings3 assignments2 ungraded labs
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 33 minutes
From Keywords to Understanding: The Power of Semantic Search•5 minutes
Chroma: The Vector Database for Semantic Search•5 minutes
Indexing Documents with Chroma•5 minutes
Objective Metrics: From Opinion to Production-Ready•5 minutes
Evaluating Semantic Search with MRR and Precision@5•5 minutes
From Local Script to Global Service: Powering Search with APIs•4 minutes
Building a Flask API for Your Search Engine•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 14 minutes
The Core Concepts: Embeddings and Vector Databases•7 minutes
How to Measure Relevance: MRR & Precision@5 Explained•7 minutes
3 assignments•Total 55 minutes
Build, Deploy, and Evaluate Your Search API•30 minutes
Knowledge Check: Embedding Model Evaluation and Benchmarking•5 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Build and Query a Chroma Collection•13 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Implement Your Evaluation Script•10 minutes
Boost RAG with Chroma
Module 5•4 hours to complete
Module details
Boost RAG with Chroma is an intermediate, hands‑on course for developers and AI practitioners. You’ll build a Retrieval‑Augmented Generation pipeline using Chroma and LangChain, connect it to an LLM, evaluate hallucination reduction, and deliver a portfolio‑ready, enterprise‑grade generative AI solution.
What's included
3 videos2 readings2 assignments2 ungraded labs
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 17 minutes
From Hallucination to Reality: Grounding AI with RAG•7 minutes
Building a RAG Pipeline with LangChain and Chroma•5 minutes
The Principle of Grounding: Building Trustworthy AI•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 15 minutes
The RAG Architecture Explained•8 minutes
A Framework for Evaluating Hallucinations•7 minutes
2 assignments•Total 50 minutes
Build and Evaluate Your RAG System•30 minutes
Knowledge Check: RAG Components•20 minutes
2 ungraded labs•Total 120 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Indexing a Knowledge Base into a Vector Store•60 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Generating and Comparing Responses•60 minutes
Chroma-Powered Knowledge Base
Module 6•1 hour to complete
Module details
In this project, you will design and implement a proof-of-concept knowledge base using ChromaDB to enable semantic search over corporate documentation. Running entirely within a cloud-based notebook (requiring no external LLM APIs), you will build a complete pipeline. This project simulates a real-world ML engineering task and produces a fully documented, portfolio-ready deliverable demonstrating your applied vector database skills.
Coursera brings together a diverse network of subject matter experts who have demonstrated their expertise through professional industry experience or strong academic backgrounds. These instructors design and teach courses that make practical, career-relevant skills accessible to learners worldwide.
Do I need advanced machine learning experience for this course?
No. While the course covers advanced topics, we start with fundamentals and provide step-by-step guidance. Basic Python and programming concepts are recommended.
What makes Chroma different from other vector databases?
Chroma is lightweight, developer-friendly, and specifically designed for AI applications. This course shows you how to leverage its unique capabilities for semantic search and RAG.
What kind of project will I build?
You'll create a complete Chroma-powered knowledge base that ingests documents, provides semantic search, and generates AI-powered answers with source citations.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
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. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
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.