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Introduction to Python Programming

This course provides an introduction to programming and the Python language. Students are introduced to core programming concepts like data structures, conditionals, loops, variables, and functions. This course includes an overview of the various tools available for writing and running Python, and gets students coding quickly. It also provides hands-on coding exercises using commonly used data structures, writing custom functions, and reading and writing to files. This course may be more robust than some other introductory python courses, as it delves deeper into certain essential programming topics.

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Syllabus

Module 1 : Course Introduction, Intro to Programming and The Python Language, Variables, Conditionals, Jupyter Notebook, and IDLE

This first module covers an intro to programming and the Python language. We’ll start by downloading and installing the necessary tools to begin programming and writing code in Python. After learning how to print to the console, we’ll get an understanding of Python’s basic data types, and how to do simple math. We’ll follow up by creating our first Python script, and learn how to define and assign variables, while controlling the flow of our program using conditionals. We’ll also learn how to get input from the user, including some very basic error checking. Let’s get started!

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Develops core programming concepts like data structures, conditionals, loops, variables, and functions

Introduces hands-on coding exercises using commonly used data structures, writing custom functions, and reading and writing to files

Provides an overview of the various tools available for writing and running Python

Gets students coding quickly

May be more robust than some other introductory python courses, as it delves deeper into certain essential programming topics

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Reviews summary

Solid python basics for beginners

According to learners, this "Introduction to Python Programming" course provides a strong foundational understanding of Python, making it highly recommended for beginners. Students praise the clear and concise explanations of core concepts like variables, conditionals, loops, and data structures. The course is noted for its hands-on coding exercises and the practical use of development environments like Jupyter Notebook, IDLE, and PyCharm. While some found the pace challenging if completely new to programming, many appreciate that it delves deeper into essential topics compared to other introductory offerings, effectively preparing them for more advanced studies or practical application. The instructor's clear teaching style is a frequent highlight.

Well-paced, but occasionally fast for absolute novices.

"The course moves at a good clip, covering a lot of ground quickly, which I appreciated."

"For a complete beginner, the pace can feel a bit fast in later modules, requiring extra review."

"I wish there were slightly more practice problems in the earlier sections to keep up with the speed."

Good overview of essential Python development tools.

"I found the introduction to Jupyter Notebook and PyCharm incredibly useful for real-world development."

"Learning to use PyCharm, an industry standard, was a huge bonus for an intro course."

"The guidance on setting up the development environment and using IDLE was very helpful."

Practical exercises reinforce understanding effectively.

"The hands-on coding exercises are truly the best part; they helped me solidify my understanding."

"I loved the practical applications and how we got to actually code from day one."

"Working with dictionaries and file I/O in the labs really cemented what I learned in lectures."

Core concepts are explained with great clarity.

"The instructor has a knack for breaking down complex ideas into easily digestible parts."

"I really appreciated how clear and straightforward the explanations were for each topic."

"The way they explained data structures and functions made everything click into place for me."

Builds a robust base for future programming endeavors.

"This course provided me with a strong foundation in Python that I feel confident building upon."

"I now have a solid understanding of fundamental programming concepts that are transferable."

"It's definitely more robust than other intro courses I've seen, covering essential topics in good depth."

Perfect starting point for those new to programming.

"This course is absolutely perfect for someone like me who had zero programming experience before."

"I found the explanations incredibly clear and easy to follow, a true beginner's guide to Python."

"As a complete novice, I felt I got a solid grasp of Python fundamentals without being overwhelmed."

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 Python Programming with these activities:

Review Python syntax and concepts

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Refresh your memory on Python syntax and concepts to ensure a strong foundation before starting the course.

Browse courses on Python Syntax

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Review your notes or textbooks from previous Python courses or tutorials.
Work through online Python exercises or quizzes to test your understanding.

Join a Python study group or discussion forum

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Engage with other Python learners to share knowledge, ask questions, and get feedback on your code.

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Find a Python study group or discussion forum that aligns with your learning goals.
Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your own insights.
Collaborate with other members on projects or learning activities.

Practice writing Python scripts

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Reinforce your understanding of Python syntax and basic programming concepts by writing your own scripts.

Browse courses on Python Scripting

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Choose a simple problem to solve or a task to automate.
Write a Python script to solve the problem or automate the task.
Test your script and make any necessary adjustments.

Two other activities

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Follow tutorials on Python data structures

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Enhance your understanding of Python data structures by following online tutorials that provide step-by-step guidance and examples.

Browse courses on Lists

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Search for tutorials on the specific data structure you want to learn.
Follow the tutorial and complete the exercises.
Test your understanding by solving practice problems.

Build a simple Python program

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Apply your Python skills by building a simple program that solves a real-world problem or automates a task.

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Identify a problem or task that you want to solve or automate.
Design and plan the structure of your program.
Write and test the code for your program.
Refactor and improve your program based on testing and feedback.

Career center

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

Software Developer

Software Developers use programming to design and develop software applications. This course may be useful to those who want to become Software Developers, as it provides a strong foundation in Python programming. With a strong grasp of Python, Software Developers can build and deploy software applications that meet the needs of users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Web Developer

Web Developers use their programming skills to design and develop websites. This course may be useful to those who want to develop web applications or become full-stack web developers. The course's focus on Python, which is a popular language for web development, can help aspiring web developers build a foundation for success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers use their programming skills to develop and maintain software products. This course may be useful to those pursuing a career as a Software Engineer, as it provides a strong foundation in Python programming. With a strong grasp of Python, Software Engineers can build scalable and efficient software systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers use programming to develop and maintain computer software. This course may be useful to those who want to become Computer Programmers, as it provides a strong foundation in Python programming and software development concepts. With a strong grasp of these topics, Computer Programmers can build and maintain software systems that meet the needs of users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers use programming to develop and implement machine learning models. This course may be useful to those pursuing a career as a Machine Learning Engineer, as it provides a strong foundation in Python programming and machine learning concepts. With a solid grasp of these topics, Machine Learning Engineers can build and deploy machine learning models that can solve complex problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business Intelligence Analysts use programming to collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course may be useful to aspiring Business Intelligence Analysts because it provides a solid foundation in programming logic, data structures, and data analysis techniques. With a strong grasp of these concepts, Business Intelligence Analysts can more easily collect, analyze, and interpret data to drive business decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Statistician

Statisticians use programming to collect, analyze, and interpret data to uncover patterns and trends. This course may be useful to aspiring Statisticians because it provides a solid foundation in programming logic and data structures. With a strong grasp of these concepts, Statisticians can more easily collect, analyze, and interpret data to draw conclusions and make informed decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Web Designer

Web Designers use programming to create the look and feel of websites. This course may be useful to aspiring Web Designers because it provides a solid foundation in programming logic and data structures. With a strong grasp of these concepts, Web Designers can more easily create websites that are both visually appealing and functional.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers use programming to create visual content for marketing and advertising. This course may be useful to aspiring Graphic Designers because it provides a solid foundation in programming logic and data structures. With a strong grasp of these concepts, Graphic Designers can more easily create visual content that is both visually appealing and effective.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers use programming to create user-friendly interfaces for websites and apps. This course may be useful to aspiring User Experience Designers because it provides a solid foundation in programming logic and data structures. With a strong grasp of these concepts, User Experience Designers can more easily create user-friendly interfaces that enhance the user experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use programming to develop analytical models that can be used to solve business problems. This course may be useful to aspiring Data Scientists because it provides a solid foundation in programming logic, data structures, and functions. With a strong grasp of these concepts, Data Scientists can more easily develop and implement analytical models that can drive business decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use programming to develop and implement mathematical models for financial analysis. This course may be useful to aspiring Quantitative Analysts because it provides a solid foundation in programming logic, data structures, and functions. With a strong grasp of these concepts, Quantitative Analysts can more easily develop and implement mathematical models that can be used to make informed investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Actuary

Actuaries use programming to develop and implement mathematical models for risk assessment and financial planning. This course may be useful to those pursuing a career as an Actuary, as it provides a solid foundation in programming logic, data structures, and functions. With a strong grasp of these concepts, Actuaries can more easily develop and implement mathematical models that can be used to assess risk and make informed financial decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actuary

Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use programming to develop and implement mathematical models for optimizing business processes. This course may be useful to aspiring Operations Research Analysts because it provides a solid foundation in programming logic, data structures, and functions. With a strong grasp of these concepts, Operations Research Analysts can more easily develop and implement mathematical models that can be used to improve efficiency and productivity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use their understanding of programming and computer science to uncover actionable insights and trends from data. This course may be useful to those pursuing this field by providing a solid foundation in programming logic and data structures. With this foundation, data analysts can more easily extract data, clean it appropriately, analyze it, and then present findings to stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 13 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 Introduction to Python Programming.

Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition

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Expands and deepens your knowledge from this course via hands-on exercises, practical tips, and detailed explanations - making it ideal as a course textbook.

Introduction to Python Programming

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Solid python basics for beginners

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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