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Intro to Python

Python is one of the most popular and in-demand programming languages in the world — largely because of how readable and versatile it is. If you’re interested in learning Python, this free, introductory course will demonstrate how learning to code in Python could benefit your career. No previous programming experience is required.

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Python is one of the most popular and in-demand programming languages in the world — largely because of how readable and versatile it is. If you’re interested in learning Python, this free, introductory course will demonstrate how learning to code in Python could benefit your career. No previous programming experience is required.

From analyzing large datasets to building web applications, Python can be used for a variety of projects including: - Writing scripts for automating tasks -Web development -Collecting data from websites (also known as “web scraping”) -Scientific and numeric computing -Data analysis -Data visualization -Machine learning

Python is also a useful skill applicable to roles across a wide range of industries, including: -Energy -Finance -Healthcare -Marketing -IT -Retail

This course is an introduction to our Boot Camps, which combine data analysis and machine learning to prepare learners for careers such as data analysts, financial analysts, data scientists, and more.

This Try It is offered in support of the Coding Boot Camp and Data Analytics Boot Camp with the University of Kansas. If you enroll in this Try It, your learner data will not be shared with the University of Kansas unless you enroll in the Coding Boot Camp or Data Analytics Boot Camp.

What's inside

Learning objective

-what python is and where it’s used. -functions, the bits of code that tell python what to do. -how to create and name variables. -how to build conditional logic to automate dual-alternative decision-making. -how to use python for advanced decision making with nested if/else statements. -how python interacts with a console. -how to code simple programs and use conditional statements to automate decision-making.

Syllabus

Culminating Activity: Edit the Werewolf Detector code to create a vampire detector that uses nested if/else statements
Part 1: -Functions: bits of code that tell Python what to do -Two of the most important functions: print and input
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Part 2: -Variables - fundamental building blocks of all programming languages, they hold and name data in your code -Two variable types: Strings and Integers
Part 3: -Operators: Equal to, less than, greater than -Conditionals: If, Elif, Else
Part 4: -Decision-making with Python: if/else with dual alternative decision statements
Part 5: -Advanced decision-making: Nested if/else -Quick Demo: Build a Werewolf Detector with Python

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
A helpful introduction for those new to the Python programming language
Develops core programming constructs: functions, variables, conditionals
Builds upon foundational concepts to teach advanced decision-making with nested if/else statements
Demonstrates practical application through interactive coding exercises
Introduces Python's versatility for various projects, including data analysis, web development, and machine learning

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Try It: Intro to Python. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Try It: Intro to Python will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Python Developer
A Python Developer builds, deploys, and maintains software solutions using the Python programming language. This course provides a strong foundation in Python, covering essential concepts such as functions, variables, operators, and conditional statements. By understanding these fundamentals, learners can develop a solid understanding of Python's capabilities and apply them effectively in their Python development projects.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst gathers, analyzes, interprets, and presents data to aid decision-making. This course introduces Python, a versatile programming language widely used in data analysis. By learning Python's capabilities for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization, learners can enhance their data analysis skills and effectively communicate insights from data.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems. This course provides an introduction to Python, a popular programming language used in software development. By gaining familiarity with Python's syntax, data structures, and control flow, learners can build a foundation for developing and implementing software solutions using Python.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist leverages data to extract insights, build models, and make predictions. This course introduces Python, a widely used programming language in data science. By learning Python's capabilities for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization, learners can enhance their data science skills and effectively work with data to solve complex problems.
Web Developer
A Web Developer designs, develops, and maintains websites and web applications. This course provides an introduction to Python, a versatile programming language used in web development. By learning Python's capabilities for web development tasks such as server-side scripting, data handling, and templating, learners can enhance their web development skills.
Machine Learning Engineer
A Machine Learning Engineer develops and implements machine learning models and algorithms. This course provides an introduction to Python, a popular programming language in machine learning. By learning Python's capabilities for data manipulation, analysis, and modeling, learners can enhance their machine learning skills and effectively work with data to build and deploy machine learning solutions.
Quantitative Analyst
A Quantitative Analyst uses mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment decisions. This course introduces Python, a programming language widely used in quantitative finance. By learning Python's capabilities for data analysis, modeling, and visualization, learners can enhance their quantitative analysis skills effectively work with financial data.
Data Engineer
A Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains data infrastructure and pipelines. This course provides an introduction to Python, a popular programming language used in data engineering. By learning Python's capabilities for data management, transformation, and storage, learners can enhance their data engineering skills.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst gathers, analyzes, and interprets business data to identify opportunities and solve problems. This course introduces Python, a versatile programming language used in business analysis. By learning Python's capabilities for data analysis, modeling, and visualization, learners can enhance their business analysis skills and effectively work with data to drive business decisions.
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst evaluates financial data to make investment recommendations and advise clients. This course introduces Python, a programming language widely used in financial analysis. By learning Python's capabilities for data analysis, modeling, and visualization, learners can enhance their financial analysis skills and effectively work with financial data.
Statistician
A Statistician collects, analyzes, interprets, and presents statistical data to draw conclusions. This course introduces Python, a versatile programming language used in statistics. By learning Python's capabilities for data analysis, modeling, and visualization, learners can enhance their statistical skills and effectively work with data to solve complex problems.
Operations Research Analyst
An Operations Research Analyst uses mathematical and statistical models to improve efficiency and decision-making in organizations. This course introduces Python, a programming language widely used in operations research. By learning Python's capabilities for data analysis, modeling, and optimization, learners can enhance their operations research skills and effectively work with data to optimize operations.
Market Researcher
A Market Researcher conducts research to understand market trends and consumer behavior. This course introduces Python, a programming language used in market research. By learning Python's capabilities for data analysis, modeling, and visualization, learners can enhance their market research skills effectively work with data to gain insights into consumer behavior and market trends.
Actuary
An Actuary uses mathematical and statistical models to assess and manage financial risks. This course introduces Python, a programming language widely used in actuarial science. By learning Python's capabilities for data analysis, modeling, and simulation, learners can enhance their actuarial skills and effectively work with data to assess and manage financial risks.
Biostatistician
A Biostatistician applies statistical methods to analyze biological data. This course introduces Python, a programming language used in biostatistics. By learning Python's capabilities for data analysis, modeling, and visualization, learners can enhance their biostatistical skills effectively work with biological data to solve complex problems.

Reading list

We've selected 14 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 Try It: Intro to Python.
A comprehensive guide that introduces essential Python concepts, including loops, variables, and functions, empowering readers to develop their own Python programs.
A guide specifically tailored for data analysts, covering Python's capabilities for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization.
A beginner-friendly guide that focuses on practical applications of Python, providing step-by-step instructions for automating everyday tasks.
A concise and practical reference guide for experienced Python developers, providing quick access to important information and syntax.
A collection of practical recipes and solutions to common Python programming problems, covering a wide range of topics.
A concise and practical guide for beginners, providing a hands-on approach to learning Python syntax and essential programming concepts.
A comprehensive and detailed guide to Python programming, covering a wide range of topics from beginner to advanced levels.
A collection of best practices and guidelines for writing efficient, maintainable, and readable Python code.
A comprehensive reference guide to Python, covering all aspects of the language, including its syntax, libraries, and advanced concepts.
A deep dive into Python's advanced features and concepts, offering insights into Pythonic programming practices and design principles.
A textbook-style introduction to Python programming, covering fundamental concepts of computer science and Python's applications in various domains.

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