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Kennedy Behrman and Noah Gift

In this course, you'll gain the Python and Pandas skills essential for data engineering:

  • Set up version-controlled Python environments with necessary libraries
  • Write Python programs using key language features and data structures
  • Manipulate and analyze data using the powerful Pandas library
  • Explore alternative data structures like NumPy arrays and PySpark DataFrames
  • Utilize Vim, Visual Studio Code, and Git for productive development
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In this course, you'll gain the Python and Pandas skills essential for data engineering:

  • Set up version-controlled Python environments with necessary libraries
  • Write Python programs using key language features and data structures
  • Manipulate and analyze data using the powerful Pandas library
  • Explore alternative data structures like NumPy arrays and PySpark DataFrames
  • Utilize Vim, Visual Studio Code, and Git for productive development

Whether you're a beginner or have some programming experience, you'll learn to harness Python and Pandas to tackle data engineering challenges. Hands-on exercises reinforce your learning each step of the way.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Python environment setup and package management
  • Core python syntax and data structures
  • Pandas dataframes for data manipulation
  • Alternatives to pandas for big data
  • Development with vim, vs code, and git

Syllabus

Module 1: Getting Started with Python (14 hours)
\- Overview of Python, Bash and SQL Essentials for Data Engineering (video, 7 minutes)
\- Meet your Course Instructor: Kennedy Behrman (video, 0 minutes)
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores Python and Pandas for Data Engineering, which are standard tools for data engineers
Beginners may need to take other courses first, as this has few explicit prerequisites
Students build a strong foundation in Python syntax, which is helpful in other areas of tech
Learners get hands-on experience with real-world data engineering tools like Pandas
This course is a great choice for learners who want to enter the field of data engineering

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Reviews summary

Practical python & pandas for data engineering

According to learners, this course provides an exceptional foundation in Python and Pandas for data engineering, praised for its clear explanations and practical, hands-on labs. Students particularly value the often-overlooked inclusion of development environment setup with tools like VS Code and Git, which prepares them for real-world scenarios. While the course delivers a strong core in data manipulation, some learners note that the coverage of big data alternatives like PySpark and Dask is more of a brief introduction than an in-depth exploration. There's a mixed opinion on its suitability for absolute beginners; some find the pacing too fast, suggesting it might be better for those with some prior programming experience.
Valuable sections on setting up Vim, VS Code, and Git.
"The section on Git and VS Code was a bonus, truly helping me streamline my workflow."
"The inclusion of Vim, VS Code, and Git setup was brilliant – often overlooked in other courses."
"I also liked the focus on setting up proper development environments."
"The coverage of development tools like VS Code and Git is a huge advantage for real-world scenarios."
Features practical exercises that reinforce learning effectively.
"I particularly appreciated the hands-on labs for NumPy and PySpark, which provided practical experience."
"The practical examples and ungraded labs truly reinforced the learning for me."
"The hands-on exercises were key to understanding the material."
"The labs were well-designed and genuinely helped me grasp the concepts. I've already applied many techniques."
Provides a clear, practical foundation in Python and Pandas.
"The instructor's explanations of Pandas are incredibly clear, breaking down complex topics into digestible parts."
"I came in with some Python experience but needed to solidify my Pandas skills for my data science role, and this course delivered."
"The systematic approach to Python fundamentals, followed by deep dives into Pandas for data manipulation, was exactly what I needed."
"The clarity of explanations for Python and Pandas is unmatched. I truly benefited from the practical application of concepts."
Inconsistent clarity or polish in some explanations and labs.
"I found some of the video quality inconsistent, and a few explanations felt rushed, particularly on advanced concepts."
"The instructor sometimes skips over crucial details, assuming prior knowledge."
"Decent course, but inconsistent. Some modules are very clear and helpful, while others feel less polished or assume too much."
Offers a brief introduction to PySpark and Dask, not a deep dive.
"I felt the coverage of PySpark and Dask was a bit too brief. While it introduced the concepts, it didn't delve deep enough."
"My main feedback would be that the PySpark/Dask sections could be expanded. It feels like an overview rather than deep dive."
"The 'alternatives' part is really just an introduction, not enough to be truly useful for large-scale data engineering."
"I agree with some others that the big data tools are more of a quick introduction than a thorough exploration."
May be too fast for absolute beginners, assuming prior knowledge.
"For an absolute beginner, it might be too fast-paced. I had to look up external resources to fully grasp certain topics."
"I found this course quite difficult to follow as a beginner. The pace was too fast, and explanations were often high-level."
"Not recommended for true beginners despite the description."
"While it claims to be for beginners, I think it moves quite fast and might be challenging for someone without any programming background."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Python and Pandas for Data Engineering with these activities:
Organize and Review Course Materials
Ensure a strong foundation for success in the course by organizing and reviewing all available materials.
Show steps
  • Gather all course materials, including syllabus, readings, assignments, and quizzes
  • Create a system for organizing these materials, such as folders or digital notebooks
  • Regularly review the materials to identify areas for further study or clarification
Review Core Python Syntax and Data Structures
Strengthen the foundation by reviewing the basics of Python syntax and data structures before starting the course.
Browse courses on Python
Show steps
  • Go through online resources or textbooks to refresh your understanding of variables, data types, operators, and control flow
  • Practice writing simple Python programs to reinforce your knowledge
Solve LeetCode Problems on Python Lists and Dictionaries
Enhance problem-solving skills and reinforce concepts of Python lists and dictionaries by practicing on LeetCode, a platform for coding challenges.
Browse courses on Python
Show steps
  • Choose a set of LeetCode problems that focus on Python lists and dictionaries
  • Solve the problems and review the solutions to understand different approaches and techniques
  • Identify patterns and common operations related to lists and dictionaries
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Review 'Hands-On Data Analysis with Pandas' by Wes McKinney
Build a strong understanding of the fundamentals of data analysis with Pandas, the essential library for data manipulation and analysis in Python.
Show steps
  • Read the first three chapters of the book to gain an overview of Pandas and its capabilities
  • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter to reinforce your understanding
  • Create a small data analysis project using Pandas to apply your skills
Follow a Tutorial on PySpark DataFrames
Gain familiarity with PySpark DataFrames, a powerful tool for handling large-scale data, by following an online tutorial.
Browse courses on Pyspark
Show steps
  • Find a comprehensive tutorial on PySpark DataFrames
  • Follow the steps in the tutorial to create, manipulate, and analyze a DataFrame
  • Experiment with the DataFrame API to explore different operations and functions
Participate in a Study Group for Python Development Environments
Engage with peers, exchange knowledge, and solidify understanding of Python development environments by joining a study group.
Browse courses on Python
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group with other participants taking the course
  • Meet regularly to discuss course topics, share resources, and practice using Python development environments
  • Collaborate on projects or assignments to gain hands-on experience
Build a Data Preprocessing Pipeline
Develop hands-on experience with data preprocessing, a crucial step in data engineering to prepare data for analysis and modeling.
Browse courses on Data Preprocessing
Show steps
  • Identify a dataset to work with, such as a CSV file or a database table
  • Load the dataset into a Pandas DataFrame
  • Apply data cleaning techniques to handle missing values and outliers
  • Transform the data into the desired format for analysis or modeling
  • Save the preprocessed data to a file or database
Create a Tutorial on Using NumPy Arrays
Demonstrate a deep understanding of NumPy arrays, a fundamental data structure for numerical operations in Python, by creating a tutorial for others.
Browse courses on NumPy
Show steps
  • Explain the basics of NumPy arrays, including their creation, indexing, and slicing
  • Show how to perform common operations on arrays, such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using NumPy arrays compared to other data structures

Career center

Learners who complete Python and Pandas for Data Engineering will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Python and Pandas for Data Engineering.
Created by the original architect of pandas, this masterwork teaches the canonical data structures and vectorized operations essential for slicing, cleaning, merging, and reshaping complex tabular datasets in Python.
Considered a modern classic, this book delves into the fundamental trade-offs and concepts behind building robust, scalable, and maintainable data systems. While not exclusively about data engineering, its in-depth coverage of distributed systems, databases, and data processing patterns is essential for any data professional looking to deepen their understanding. It is highly valuable for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as working professionals.
Presents the modern tidyverse grammar for transforming messy data into structured insights. Covers tibbles, dplyr pipelines, tidyr pivoting, and purrr iterations for rapid exploratory data manipulation.
Widely recognized and comprehensive textbook for understanding economic development. It provides a balanced introduction to the theories, policy issues, and research in the field, making it an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding, particularly for undergraduate and graduate students. It's commonly used in academic settings.
Demystifies relational data transformation through practical PostgreSQL projects. Teaches window functions, subqueries, regular expressions, and cross-tabulations required to manipulate data directly inside the database.
Comprehensive guide to the Git version control system. It covers a wide range of topics, including basic concepts, advanced workflows, and best practices. It valuable resource for experienced Git users who want to improve their skills.
A highly influential book that offers practical advice on a wide range of software development topics, including writing maintainable code, learning continuously, and managing a programming career. It's valuable for programmers at all stages, providing timeless wisdom that transcends specific technologies. is often recommended as essential reading for developers looking to improve their craft.
Gathers hundreds of battle-tested recipes covering network programming, memory management, data structures, and functional decorators for veteran application developers.
Often referred to as "CLRS," this book comprehensive and widely-used textbook for undergraduate and graduate-level algorithms courses. It provides in-depth knowledge of data structures and algorithms, including their analysis and implementation. While it assumes some mathematical familiarity, it's an encyclopedic reference valuable for both learning and as a long-term resource.
A foundational book for software developers, this guide emphasizes the principles and practices of writing clean, readable, and maintainable code. It's crucial for anyone involved in the software development aspect of 'Development' and is considered a must-read classic in the field. It's often used as a textbook or core reading in software engineering programs.
Delivers a comprehensive, project-driven guide to wrangling messy timeseries, handling missing values, and restructuring dataframes with pandas. Emphasizes defensive coding and performance profiling for large analytical workloads.
The second edition of this highly-regarded book continues to focus on writing efficient and Pythonic Pandas code. It's an excellent resource for intermediate to advanced users looking to refine their skills and write cleaner, more performant data manipulation code.
Introduces clean architecture, domain-driven design, and event-driven microservices to Python developers, demonstrating repository patterns and dependency inversion.
Explores the mathematical and algorithmic techniques for transforming raw tabular data into predictive signals. Details numeric scaling, log transforms, categorical encoding, text vectorization, and automated feature extraction.
Written by Nobel laureates, this book provides a data-driven and nuanced look at the realities of poverty and the effectiveness of various anti-poverty interventions. It's highly relevant for understanding contemporary topics and deepening one's understanding of development economics. It's valuable for both academic study and practical application.
Guides engineers through extracting, cleaning, and transforming irregular data from diverse formats including JSON, XML, PDF, and messy CSVs. Focuses on automation, error detection, and parsing web feeds reliably.
This annual report provides an overview of the progress towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It's an essential resource for understanding contemporary global development priorities and challenges, offering data and analysis on a wide range of interconnected issues. This is more of a reference tool for current data.
Demystifies programming for practical utility, guiding beginners through real-world automation projects including web scraping, spreadsheet generation, and file audits.
Provides a deep, foundational look into R core data objects, subscripting mechanics, factor conversions, string manipulation, and reshaping vectors. Offers timeless clarity on base R data processing paradigms.
Provides a foundational understanding of the fundamental principles of data science and the data-analytic thinking necessary for extracting value from data in a business context. It is highly relevant for undergraduate business analytics programs and working professionals. It serves as a useful reference for understanding the business applications of data analysis and is commonly used as a textbook.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Git version control system, including its basic concepts, commands, and workflows. It is an excellent resource for beginners and intermediate users who want to improve their understanding of Git.
A comprehensive guide to implementing DevOps principles and practices. provides detailed strategies and examples for transforming IT organizations and improving the entire software development lifecycle. It's a key resource for those looking to implement DevOps.
Authored by a Nobel laureate, this book offers a paradigm-altering framework for understanding development not just as economic growth, but as the expansion of freedoms. It's crucial for a broad understanding and deepening one's perspective on the ethical and philosophical dimensions of development. This is considered a classic in development studies.
Focuses on static typing, structural subtyping, and defensive design techniques, demonstrating how modern type annotations prevent regressions in enterprise codebases.
Lays out a systematic workflow for profiling, assessing, and structuring untidy business data. Connects data preparation directly to downstream analytics, preventing upstream bias and data transformation bottlenecks.
Offers a comprehensive treatment of data structures and algorithms, suitable for academic settings. It covers various data types and algorithms for sorting, searching, and processing. The book is known for its detailed explanations and includes an online portal with source code, making it a strong resource for solidifying understanding.
Another comprehensive guide to Apache Spark, co-authored by one of its creators. definitive resource for learning Spark for big data processing, covering its various components and APIs. It's a must-read for anyone serious about using Spark in their data engineering work, suitable for undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.
Presents a proactive architectural framework for monitoring data pipelines and catching silent transformation bugs. Teaches automated anomaly detection, schema drift prevention, and lineage tracking for robust data operations.
Delivers fast, battle-tested techniques for cleaning and pivoting irregular spreadsheet exports. Shows how to master Power Query, dynamic arrays, and nested lookups to clean corporate datasets with surgical speed.
Unpacks professional testing methodologies using pytest, explaining fixture management, parameterized tests, coverage tracking, and automated CI test execution.
Based on years of research, this book provides data-driven insights into the practices that drive high performance in technology organizations, particularly in the context of DevOps. It's valuable for deepening the understanding of DevOps principles and their impact on development velocity and stability.
Apache Spark widely used engine for big data processing. provides a comprehensive introduction to Spark, covering its core concepts and APIs. It's essential for anyone working with big data pipelines and aligns with courses mentioning Spark. The 3rd edition, published in 2020, covers recent features and improvements.
Provides essential guidelines and best practices for programming in Java. Given the mention of Java in the course list, this book is highly relevant for those focusing on Java development. It's a valuable reference for writing robust and efficient Java code and is often recommended for intermediate to advanced Java developers.
Offers a friendly and example-rich introduction to Pandas, focusing on practical applications. It's designed to help users quickly get up to speed with data manipulation and analysis using the library. It's a good resource for those who prefer a more guided, action-oriented learning approach.
This textbook is suitable for advanced data structures or introductory graduate-level algorithm analysis courses. It bridges the gap between foundational data structures and more advanced analysis techniques. The book provides a rigorous and in-depth analysis of algorithms and their implementation in C++.
Investigates advanced software craft, detailing packaging distribution, bytecode internals, scaling architectures, and maintainability across large distributed systems.
Aligning with the Google Cloud focused course titles, this book provides guidance on performing data engineering tasks on GCP. It's a valuable resource for those preparing for the Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer exam or working with GCP data services. It covers the relevant tools and services offered by Google Cloud.
Focuses on the crucial skill of communicating insights from data effectively through compelling visualizations. is highly relevant for all levels, emphasizing the importance of clear and impactful data presentation. It is valuable additional reading that complements technical data analysis skills.
Offers a critical perspective on the history and effectiveness of foreign aid, arguing for more accountability and a focus on bottom-up solutions. It's essential for understanding contemporary debates and challenges in international development and provides a valuable counterpoint to traditional views.
Collects cautionary case studies from seasoned data practitioners detailing how hidden encoding bugs, missing fields, schema mismatches, and parsing failures occur, with concrete recipes for defensive data hygiene.
Exposes the most widespread and damaging traps in relational data manipulation and query construction. Illustrates how to avoid Cartesian explosion, improper NULL comparisons, and flawed table structures with cleaner SQL alternatives.
Python fundamental language in data engineering. focuses on using Python for various data engineering tasks, including building data pipelines and working with large datasets. It is particularly useful for those whose background is in Python and want to apply their skills to data engineering, aligning with courses mentioning Python for Data Engineering. Published in 2020, it's a relatively recent resource.
Bridges volumetric point cloud analysis with Python, teaching LiDAR processing, spatial meshing, and 3D machine vision using modern scientific computing toolchains.
Introduces high-performance dataframe processing using Polars and Apache Arrow memory layout. Demonstrates lazy evaluation, query optimization, and multicore parallel execution for multiterabyte data manipulation in Python.
Explores advanced in-process analytical querying and columnar data manipulation using DuckDB. Teaches students how to construct complex analytical pipelines, process multiterabyte Parquet tables locally, and embed SQL transformations into Python.
Bridges the gap between statistical theory and its practical application in data science using R and Python. It focuses on the statistical concepts most relevant to data scientists and provides code examples. It's a useful reference and learning resource for those applying statistics in their work.
Provides a comprehensive guide to designing, building, and deploying microservices. Given the mention of microservices, this highly relevant resource for understanding this contemporary architectural style in software development. It's a practical guide for architects and developers.
Presents a welcoming, foundational ramp into computational logic and programming, establishing syntax literacy, object modeling, and error handling for total beginners.

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