Introduction to Programming with MATLAB from Coursera

This course teaches computer programming to those with little to no previous experience. It uses the programming system and language called MATLAB to do so because it is easy to learn, versatile and very useful for engineers and other professionals. MATLAB is a special-purpose language that is an excellent choice for writing moderate-size programs that solve problems involving the manipulation of numbers. The design of the language makes it possible to write a powerful program in a few lines. The problems may be relatively complex, while the MATLAB programs that solve them are relatively simple: relative, that is, to the equivalent program written in a general-purpose language, such as C++ or Java. As a result, MATLAB is being used in a wide variety of domains from the natural sciences, through all disciplines of engineering, to finance, and beyond, and it is heavily used in industry. Hence, a solid background in MATLAB is an indispensable skill in today’s job market.

Nevertheless, this course is not a MATLAB tutorial. It is an introductory programming course that uses MATLAB to illustrate general concepts in computer science and programming. Students who successfully complete this course will become familiar with general concepts in computer science, gain an understanding of the general concepts of programming, and obtain a solid foundation in the use of MATLAB.

Students taking the course will get a MATLAB Online license free of charge for the duration of the course. The students are encouraged to consult the eBook that this course is based on. More information about these resources can be found on the Resources menu on the right.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Pages

The MATLAB Environment

We will learn how to start MATLAB and will familiarize ourselves with its user interface. We will learn how to use MATLAB as a sophisticated calculator. We will learn about syntax and semantics. We will see ways in which MATLAB provides help. Finally, we will learn how to create plots in MATLAB.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces the MATLAB programming system and language, which is widely used in industry and academia

Provides a solid foundation in computer science and programming concepts, making it suitable for beginners

Utilizes MATLAB's easy-to-learn syntax and intuitive design, making it accessible to students with no prior programming experience

Covers essential MATLAB topics such as matrices, operators, functions, and data types, providing a comprehensive overview

Offers hands-on learning through MATLAB Online exercises and assignments, reinforcing understanding and practical application

Taught by experienced instructors with expertise in computer science and engineering

Reviews summary

Matlab programming for beginners

According to learners, this introductory MATLAB course provides a solid foundation in programming concepts using the MATLAB environment. Students appreciated the clear explanations, practical examples, and well-structured assignments. Many found the course highly beneficial for beginners and those needing MATLAB for engineering or scientific fields. While generally well-received, some felt certain topics could be covered in greater depth or found the course content slightly dated compared to the latest MATLAB versions. Overall, it is seen as a great starting point for learning programming with a focus on MATLAB.

Perfect for those with no prior experience.

"As someone completely new to programming, I found this course very approachable."

"If you've never coded before, this is definitely a good place to start."

"Tailored well for absolute beginners in both programming and MATLAB."

"Perfect for someone with little to no prior programming background."

"Excellent entry point if you're a complete novice."

Assignments reinforce learning well.

"The assignments were challenging but fair, and they really helped solidify my understanding of the concepts."

"I found the homework assignments to be very useful for practicing what was taught in the lectures."

"The exercises felt relevant and helped me apply what I learned."

"Practical assignments that actually make you code and think."

"The assignments were well-designed and effective learning tools."

Concepts are explained simply and effectively.

"The instructors did a great job explaining complex topics in a way that was easy to understand."

"I really appreciated how clear the explanations were throughout the modules."

"The lectures broke down the material logically and made it very accessible."

"Everything was explained very clearly, which helped immensely as a beginner."

"The explanations were simple and effective, making learning easy."

Great starting point for programming in MATLAB.

"This course provides an excellent foundation in programming concepts using MATLAB. It's well-structured and easy to follow for beginners."

"A really solid introduction to both programming logic and the specifics of MATLAB. Highly recommended for those new to both."

"I had very little programming experience before this, and I feel like I now have a good grasp of the basics thanks to this course."

"It's a fantastic first step into the world of programming, especially if you plan to use MATLAB in your studies or work."

"Provides a great starting point for understanding MATLAB and core programming principles."

Course material might not reflect latest versions.

"The course uses an older version of MATLAB in some demos, which can be slightly confusing if you're using the latest release."

"While the core concepts are timeless, some examples felt a bit outdated regarding modern MATLAB practices or features."

"Some elements of the course interface or examples seemed slightly behind the current MATLAB interface."

"Could benefit from an update to align fully with recent MATLAB versions."

"A few parts felt slightly old, but still understandable."

Some topics could use more detail.

"While a good intro, I felt some sections moved too quickly or didn't go into enough depth on more advanced uses of MATLAB."

"Could use more coverage on specific libraries or more complex programming scenarios."

"I wish there were more challenging problems or deeper explanations of certain functions."

"Some fundamental topics were covered well, but I felt more advanced usage wasn't explored deeply enough."

"A bit basic at times, could benefit from more complex examples."

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 Introduction to Programming with MATLAB with these activities:

Organize Course Notes and Resources

Show steps

Improve organization and retention by compiling lecture notes, assignments, and other course materials into a structured and accessible format.

Show steps

Gather all relevant course materials.
Categorize and organize materials.
Consider using a digital note-taking app or software.

Assist in Course Forums

Show steps

Contribute to the learning community by answering questions and providing support to fellow students, reinforcing own understanding of course concepts.

Show steps

Actively participate in course forums.
Provide thoughtful and helpful responses to student queries.

Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Programming with MATLAB will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer uses MATLAB to develop and deploy machine learning models. This course would help build a strong foundation in programming and data analysis, which are essential for success as a Machine Learning Engineer. MATLAB is widely used in machine learning, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for developing and deploying machine learning models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist leverages MATLAB to manipulate and analyze data to solve complex business problems or conduct scientific research. This course would help build a solid foundation in programming and data analysis techniques, which are crucial for success as a Data Scientist. MATLAB allows data scientists to work with large datasets and create effective data visualizations to convey insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Quantitative Analyst

A Quantitative Analyst uses MATLAB to develop and implement trading strategies. This course would help provide a strong foundation in programming, data analysis, and statistical modeling, skills that are all essential for success in quantitative finance. MATLAB is widely used in quantitative finance, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for developing and implementing trading strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Risk Analyst

A Risk Analyst uses MATLAB to assess and manage risk. This course would help build a foundation in risk management and analysis, concepts that are essential for success as a Risk Analyst. MATLAB is widely used in risk management, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for assessing and managing risk.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Control Systems Engineer

A Control Systems Engineer designs and implements control systems for a variety of applications. This course would help build a foundation in systems modeling and simulation, concepts that are essential for success as a Control Systems Engineer. MATLAB is widely used in control systems engineering, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for designing and implementing control systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Control Systems Engineer

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer uses MATLAB to build and maintain data pipelines, and to ensure that data is clean, accurate, and consistent. This course would help provide a foundational understanding of data management and processing, concepts that are essential for success as a Data Engineer. MATLAB is widely used in data engineering, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for building and maintaining data pipelines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Financial Modeler

A Financial Modeler uses MATLAB to build and analyze financial models. This course would help provide a foundation in financial modeling and analysis, concepts that are essential for success as a Financial Modeler. MATLAB is widely used in financial modeling, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for building and analyzing financial models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Modeler

Operations Research Analyst

An Operations Research Analyst uses MATLAB to solve complex optimization problems. This course would help build a foundation in optimization and modeling, concepts that are essential for success as an Operations Research Analyst. MATLAB is widely used in operations research, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for solving complex optimization problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Big Data Analyst

A Big Data Analyst uses MATLAB to clean large data sets, analyze trends and patterns, and create visualizations to effectively communicate and present insights to decision-makers. This course would help build a foundational understanding of numeric data analysis and how to turn raw data into meaningful information. MATLAB is widely used in data analytics, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for successful data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Big Data Analyst

Statistician

A Statistician uses MATLAB to analyze data and draw conclusions. This course would help build a strong foundation in statistical analysis, including hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and data visualization. MATLAB is widely used in statistics, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for success as a Statistician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst uses MATLAB to analyze financial data, build models, and make investment recommendations. This course would help provide a foundation in numerical analysis and matrix manipulation, concepts that are essential for financial modeling. The course also covers plotting and visualization, skills that are often used to present financial data in a clear and concise manner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer uses MATLAB to develop and test software applications. This course would help build a foundation in programming and computer science concepts. MATLAB is widely used in software development, and this course covers many of the programming paradigms and design patterns that are essential for success as a Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Actuary

An Actuary uses MATLAB to evaluate risk and uncertainty, and develop financial plans. This course would help provide a foundational understanding of numerical analysis, probability, and statistics, concepts that are essential for actuarial work. MATLAB is widely used in actuarial science, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for success as an Actuary.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Researcher

A Researcher uses MATLAB to analyze data, develop models, and write scientific papers. This course would help develop skills needed for data processing and analysis. MATLAB is widely used in research, and this course covers many of the functions and principles that are essential for successful research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Web Developer

A Web Developer uses MATLAB to create dynamic websites and web applications. This course would help build a foundation in programming and web development concepts. MATLAB is not as commonly used in web development as other programming languages, but it can be used to create interactive websites and web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer