Crash Course on Python from Coursera

This course is designed to teach you the foundations in order to write simple programs in Python using the most common structures. No previous exposure to programming is needed. By the end of this course, you will understand the benefits of programming in IT roles; understand basic Python syntax; explore different code editors and developer environments; be able to write simple programs using Python; figure out how the building blocks of programming fit together; and combine all of this knowledge to solve a complex programming problem.

We'll start off by diving into the basics of writing a computer program. Along the way, you’ll get hands-on experience with programming concepts through interactive exercises and real-world examples. You’ll quickly start to see how computers can perform a multitude of tasks — you just have to write code that tells them what to do.

What's inside

Syllabus

Hello Python!

In this module we’ll introduce you to the Coursera platform and the course format. Then, we’ll dive into the basics of programming languages and syntax, as well as automation using scripting. We’ll also introduce you to the Python programming language and cover some basic functions and keywords of the language, along with some arithmetic operations. Lastly, we'll go over some code editors and IDEs that you can use to write Python code.

Basic Python Syntax

In this module you’ll learn about different data types in Python, how to identify them, and how to convert between them. You’ll also learn how to use variables to assign data and to reference variables. You’ll deep dive into functions: how to define them, pass them parameters, and have them return information. You’ll explore the concepts of code reuse, code style, and refactoring complex code, along with effectively using code comments. Finally, you’ll learn about comparing data using equality and logical operators, and leveraging these to build complex branching scripts using if statements.

Loops

In this module you'll explore the intricacies of loops in Python! You'll learn how to use while loops to continuously execute code, as well as how to identify infinite loop errors and how to fix them. You'll also learn to use for loops to iterate over data, and how to use the range() function with for loops. You'll also explore common errors when using for loops and how to fix them.

Strings, Lists and Dictionaries

In this module you'll dive into more advanced ways to manipulate strings using indexing, slicing, and advanced formatting. You'll also explore the more advanced data types: lists, tuples, and dictionaries. You'll learn to store, reference, and manipulate data in these structures, as well as combine them to store complex data structures.

Final Project

In this module, you'll learn how to apply a problem-solving framework to tackle a challenging project. You'll learn how to formulate a problem statement to understand a challenge, conduct some research to see what options are available, then begin planning how you to solve a problem.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops programming and analytical thinking skills, which are valued for entry-level IT roles

Taught by Google Career Certificates, a reputable provider in the IT industry

Covers basic Python programming concepts, making it suitable for beginners seeking a foundation in the language

Provides hands-on practice with programming exercises and real-world examples, promoting active learning

Introduces code editors and IDEs, equipping learners with tools for practical programming

Focuses on teaching problem-solving techniques, a foundational skill for programming

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 Crash Course on Python with these activities:

Review the basics of Python before starting the course

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Ensure you have a strong foundation in Python before starting the course.

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Review the course syllabus and identify any prerequisites.
Go through online tutorials or resources on Python basics.
Complete practice exercises to test your understanding.

Follow a Python tutorial

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Get started with Python or learn a new aspect of the language.

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Find a tutorial that covers the topic you want to learn.
Follow the instructions in the tutorial.
Complete the exercises in the tutorial.

Practice writing Python code

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Improve your understanding of Python syntax and practice writing simple programs.

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Set up a Python development environment.
Write a simple program to print "Hello, world!"
Write a program to calculate the factorial of a number.

Four other activities

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Join a Python study group

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Collaborate with other students and reinforce your learning through discussions and peer feedback.

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Find a study group that meets your needs.
Attend study group sessions regularly.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.
Share your knowledge and help others.

Attend a Python workshop

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Learn from experts and get hands-on experience with Python.

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Find a Python workshop that is relevant to your interests.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and participate actively.
Follow up on what you learned after the workshop.

Mentor a beginner Python learner

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Help others learn Python and reinforce your own understanding of the material.

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Find a beginner Python learner to mentor.
Meet with your mentee regularly.
Answer their questions and provide guidance.
Encourage them to practice and learn.

Contribute to an open-source Python project

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Gain practical experience with Python and contribute to the community.

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Find an open-source Python project that interests you.
Read the project documentation and understand the codebase.
Make a small contribution to the project.
Submit a pull request to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Crash Course on Python will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design and develop machine learning models. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which is essential for this role. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as machine learning algorithms and data science libraries. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Machine Learning Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which is essential for this role. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as data manipulation and visualization. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which is essential for this role. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as data manipulation and visualization. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Data Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which is essential for this role. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as web frameworks and databases. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Web Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Software Developer

Software Developers design and develop computer applications. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which is essential for this role. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as object-oriented programming and data structures. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Software Developer.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software and other technical products. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which can be used to create automated documentation generators. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as text processing and templating. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Technical Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and identify opportunities for improvement. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which can be used to automate tasks and analyze data. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as data manipulation and visualization. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Tester

Software Testers test software applications to identify bugs and ensure quality. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which is essential for this role. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as testing frameworks and automation. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Software Tester.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Tester

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts ensure the quality of software products. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which can be used to automate testing and analysis. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as testing frameworks and data analysis. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Quality Assurance Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain databases. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which can be used to automate database tasks and analyze data. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as database design and optimization. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Database Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Network Administrator

Network Administrators manage and maintain computer networks. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which can be used to automate network tasks and analyze data. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as network design and security. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Network Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect computer systems from unauthorized access and attacks. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which can be used to automate security tasks and analyze data. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as cryptography and network security. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Information Security Analyst.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts analyze business processes and design software solutions. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which can be used to automate tasks and analyze data. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as system design and architecture. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Systems Analyst.

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Computer Support Specialist

Computer Support Specialists provide technical support to computer users. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which can be used to automate tasks and analyze data. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as troubleshooting and problem solving. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Computer Support Specialist.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects. This course provides a strong foundation in the Python programming language, which can be used to automate tasks and track progress. The course covers basic syntax, data types, control flow, and functions, as well as more advanced topics such as project management tools and techniques. By completing this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager