Introduction to Python Programming

Introduction to Python Programming

This course will introduce you to the basics of programming in Python on either Windows or Mac platform.

This course will introduce you to the basics of programming in Python on either Windows or Mac platform.

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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.

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.

Instructors

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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 U...
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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

2019

Sep 6, 2019 to Oct 4, 2019

2020

Jan 10, 2020 to Feb 7, 2020

May 15, 2020 to Jun 12, 2020

Sep 11, 2020 to Oct 9, 2020

2021

Jan 15, 2021 to Feb 12, 2021

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Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

What Our Students Say​

The material covered here will be indispensable in my work. I can't wait to take other courses. Great work!

Stephen McAllister
Ottawa Public Library

It was great to get a better sense of the Python language. The course gave a great overview of the data analysis and visualization tools.

Benjamin Anderson
Financial Analyst, Nalco Champion

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer or withdraw from a course?

We have a flexible transfer and withdrawal policy that recognizes circumstances may arise to prevent you from taking a course as planned. You may transfer or withdraw from a course under certain conditions.

  • Students are entitled to a full refund if a course they are registered for is canceled.
  • You can transfer your tuition to another course at any time prior to the course start date or the drop date, however a transfer is not permitted after the drop date.
  • Withdrawals on or after the first day of class are entitled to a percentage refund of tuition.

Please see this page for more information.

Who are the instructors at the Institute?

The Institute has more than 60 instructors who are recruited based on their expertise in various areas in statistics. Our faculty members are:

  • Authors of well-regarded texts in their area;
  • Advisory board members;
  • Senior faculty; and
  • Educators who have made important contributions to the field of statistics or online education in statistics.

The majority of our instructors have more than five years of teaching experience online at the Institute.

Please visit our faculty page for more information on each instructor at The Institute for Statistics Education.

Please see our knowledge center for more information.

What type of courses does the Institute offer?

The Institute offers approximately 80 courses each year. Topics include basic survey courses for novices, a full sequence of introductory statistics courses, bridge courses to more advanced topics. Our courses cover a range of topics including biostatistics, research statistics, data mining, business analytics, survey statistics, and environmental statistics.

Please see our course search or knowledge center for more information.

Do your courses have for-credit options?

Our courses have several for-credit options:

  • Continuing education units (CEU)
  • College credit through The American Council on Education (ACE CREDIT)
  • Course credits that are transferable to the INFORMS Certified Analytics Professional (CAP®)

Please see our knowledge center for more information.

Is the Institute for Statistics Education certified?

The Institute for Statistics Education is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). For more information visit: http://www.schev.edu

Please see our knowledge center for more information.

Visit our knowledge base and learn more.

FAQs + Knowledge Base

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Topic: Analytics, Using Python | Skill: Introductory | Credit Options: ACE, CAP, CEU
Class Start Dates: Mar 13, 2020, Jul 10, 2020, Nov 13, 2020, Mar 12, 2021

Additional Course Information

Organization of Course

This course takes place online at The Institute for 4 weeks. During each course week, you participate at times of your own choosing – there are no set times when you must be online. Course participants will be given access to a private discussion board. In class discussions led by the instructor, you can post questions, seek clarification, and interact with your fellow students and the instructor.

At the beginning of each week, you receive the relevant material, in addition to answers to exercises from the previous session. During the week, you are expected to go over the course materials, work through exercises, and submit answers. Discussion among participants is encouraged. The instructor will provide answers and comments, and at the end of the week, you will receive individual feedback on your homework answers.

Time Requirements

This is a 4-week course requiring 10-15 hours per week of review and study, 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.

Course Fee & Information

Enrollment
Courses may fill up at any time and registrations are processed in the order in which they are received. Your registration will be confirmed for the first available course date unless you specify otherwise.

Transfers and Withdrawals
We have flexible policies to transfer to another course or withdraw if necessary.

Group Rates
Contact us to get information on group rates.

Discounts
Academic affiliation?  In most courses you are eligible for a discount at checkout.

New to Statistics.com?  Click here for a special introductory discount code.  

Invoice or Purchase Order
Add $50 service fee if you require a prior invoice, or if you need to submit a purchase order or voucher, pay by wire transfer or EFT, or refund and reprocess a prior payment.

Options for Credit and Recognition

This course is eligible for the following credit and recognition options:

No Credit
You may take this course without pursuing credit or a record of completion.

Mastery or Certificate Program Credit
If you are enrolled in mastery or certificate program that requires demonstration of proficiency in this subject, your course work may be assessed for a grade.

CEUs and Proof of Completion
If you require a “Record of Course Completion” along with professional development credit in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEU’s), upon successfully completing the course, CEU’s and a record of course completion will be issued by The Institute upon your request.

Supplemental Information

There is no supplemental content for this course.

Miscellaneous

There is no additional information for this course.

Register for This Course​

Introduction to Python Programming
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