Try It: Intro to Python from edX

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 Texas at San Antonio. If you enroll in this Try It, your learner data will not be shared with The University of Texas at San Antonio unless you enroll in the Coding Boot Camp or Data Analytics Boot Camp.

What's inside

Learning objectives

-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.

-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.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Builds knowledge in Python, which is widely used in industry and academia

Provides a stepping stone to a career in data analysis by equipping learners with essential skills

No previous programming knowledge is required, making it accessible to beginners

Benefits a wide range of industries, including energy, finance, healthcare, marketing, IT, and retail

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 Try It: Intro to Python with these activities:

Review Object-Oriented Programming Concepts

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Refresh your understanding of object-oriented programming principles, such as classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism, to strengthen your foundation for learning Python.

Browse courses on Object-Oriented Programming

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Go through your notes or online resources to review the basics of object-oriented programming.
Complete a few practice exercises to test your understanding of OOP concepts.

Explore Python Libraries and Frameworks

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Familiarize yourself with popular Python libraries and frameworks by following guided tutorials, expanding your toolkit for data analysis, web development, and other Python applications.

Browse courses on Python Libraries

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Identify Python libraries or frameworks relevant to your interests or career goals.
Find online tutorials or documentation for those libraries or frameworks.
Follow the tutorials to install, configure, and use the libraries or frameworks in practice.

Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Try It: Intro to Python will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst plays a crucial role in transforming raw data into actionable insights. They analyze data to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies, providing businesses with valuable information for decision-making. This Intro to Python course can be a valuable starting point for aspiring Data Analysts, as it introduces the fundamentals of Python, a widely used programming language in data analysis. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential skills for data manipulation and analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists are highly skilled professionals who use their expertise in statistics, programming, and machine learning to extract knowledge and insights from data. This Intro to Python course provides a solid foundation for aspiring Data Scientists, as it introduces the basics of Python, a language commonly used in data science. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for data manipulation and analysis. Additionally, the course provides an overview of how Python is used for tasks such as web development and data visualization, which are relevant to the work of Data Scientists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for evaluating and interpreting financial data to make sound investment decisions. This Intro to Python course may be beneficial for aspiring Financial Analysts, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is increasingly used in the finance industry for data analysis and modeling. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for data manipulation and analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites and web applications. This Intro to Python course provides a solid foundation for aspiring Web Developers, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is commonly used in web development. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging code. Additionally, the course provides an overview of how Python is used for tasks such as web development and data visualization, which are relevant to the work of Web Developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. This Intro to Python course provides a strong foundation for aspiring Software Engineers, as it introduces the basics of Python, a widely used programming language in software development. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging code. Additionally, the course provides an overview of how Python is used for tasks such as web development and data analysis, which are relevant to the work of Software Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

IT Specialist

IT Specialists support and maintain computer systems and networks. This Intro to Python course may be beneficial for aspiring IT Specialists, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is increasingly used in IT for tasks such as network administration and system monitoring. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging scripts and automating tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Specialist

Data Engineer

Data Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines and infrastructure. This Intro to Python course provides a solid foundation for aspiring Data Engineers, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is widely used in data engineering. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging code. Additionally, the course provides an overview of how Python is used for tasks such as data extraction, transformation, and loading, which are relevant to the work of Data Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design, develop, and deploy machine learning models. This Intro to Python course provides a solid foundation for aspiring Machine Learning Engineers, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is widely used in machine learning. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging code. Additionally, the course provides an overview of how Python is used for tasks such as data preprocessing, model training, and evaluation, which are relevant to the work of Machine Learning Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment decisions. This Intro to Python course may be beneficial for aspiring Quantitative Analysts, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is increasingly used in the finance industry for data analysis and modeling. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. This Intro to Python course may be beneficial for aspiring Business Analysts, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is increasingly used in business analysis for tasks such as data analysis and process modeling. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging scripts and automating tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve complex business problems. This Intro to Python course may be beneficial for aspiring Operations Research Analysts, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is increasingly used in operations research for tasks such as data analysis and optimization modeling. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess and manage risk. This Intro to Python course may be beneficial for aspiring Actuaries, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is increasingly used in the insurance industry for tasks such as data analysis and risk modeling. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging code.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. This Intro to Python course may be beneficial for aspiring Statisticians, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is increasingly used in statistics for tasks such as data analysis and statistical modeling. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging code.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers conduct research to understand consumer behavior and market trends. This Intro to Python course may be beneficial for aspiring Market Researchers, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is increasingly used in market research for tasks such as data analysis and survey design. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging scripts and automating tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This Intro to Python course may be beneficial for aspiring Economists, as it introduces the basics of Python, a programming language that is increasingly used in economics for tasks such as data analysis and econometric modeling. The course covers concepts such as functions, variables, conditional logic, and basic programming principles, which are essential for writing and debugging code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist