Introduction to Python Programming
This course will introduce you to the basics of programming in Python on either Windows or Mac platform.
Overview
This course will introduce you to the basics of programming in Python, on either Windows or Mac. You will use both Jupyter notebooks and standard script editors, and work through simple arithmetic operations, statistical operations, variables, keywords, lists, arrays, and dictionaries. You’ll use Conda to install modules and close with some data visualizations.
- Introductory
- 4 Weeks
- Expert Instructor
- Tuiton-Back Guarantee
- 100% Online
- TA Support
Learning Outcomes
Students who complete this course will learn how to:
- Use Jupyter notebooks and standard script editors
- Perform simple arithmetic and statistical operations
- Work with variables, keywords, lists, arrays, and dictionaries
- Use conda to install modules
- Write while loops and code for error trapping, and input data
Who Should Take This Course
This course is for programming novices who want to learn Python.
Our Instructors
Dr. Stanley Blank
Dr. Stan Blank has taught computer science 30+ years at the high school level and science education and graduate courses at Southern Illinois University, and is the author of Python Programming in OpenGL: A Graphical Approach to Programming. He is also the developer of the Resampling Stats Add-In for Excel, and a charter member of the Board of Directors of the Great Lakes Consortium for Petascale Computation (affiliated with the Blue Waters Supercomputer at the NCSA, University of Illinois). A high school class taught by Dr. Blank created a Beowulf cluster which was featured in an online article at Linux Journal in 2002, and a virtual reality simulation for the CUBE VR room at the University of Illinois in 2004. Dr. Blank holds a pilot’s license, and is a certified flight instructor for light sport aircraft.
Course Syllabus
Week 1
Installation of Python on Window and Mac Platforms
- Verification that Anaconda Python is properly installed
- Verification that the Jupyter notebook is working properly
- Using the Jupyter notebook environment
- Creating Jupyter notebooks and using Python editors
Week 2
Python Programming with Jupyter Notebook
- Introduction to variables, strings, and numerics
- Simple arithmetic and the order of operations
- Working with strings
- Lists and loops
- Writing simple Python scripts
Week 3
More Programming with Jupyter Notebook
- Functions, if statements and conditional expressions
- Introduction to dictionaries
- While loops, error trapping, and data input
- Writing intermediate Python scripts
Week 4
Python Packages and Conda
- Data input from a text file
- Using conda to install additional Python packages as needed
- A brief introduction to pandas and matplotlib for data analysis and visualization
- Putting it all together and recommendations for further study
Class Dates
2024
Instructors: Dr. Stanley Blank
Instructors: Dr. Stanley Blank
Instructors: Dr. Stanley Blank
2025
Instructors: Dr. Stanley Blank
Instructors: Dr. Stanley Blank
Instructors: Dr. Stanley Blank
Prerequisites
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Additional Information
Time Requirements
About 15 hours per week, at times of your choosing.
Homework
Homework in this course consists of programming exercises
Course Text
All materials will be provided.
Software
Python with Jupyter notebook.