Beginner-friendly Python course for future software developers.
This hands-on, lab-based course is intended for newcomers to programming. Python is favored by first-time programmers because it presents engineering concepts in a straightforward, clear language, while quietly and behind-the-scenes, it takes care of the difficult, tedious, and error-prone details that present the major obstacles to writing a program in older languages. Python is an open-sourced language with rich features and is used extensively in many industries.
The course covers the important concepts and programming mechanisms that exist in all programming languages: reading and writing to standard IO, using operators, controlling the flow of execution, using functions, reading and writing files, and basic object-oriented programming concepts. It also includes Python-specific facilities such as code introspection, re-use, built-in sequence types, and iteration.
The pace of this course may be slow for people who are familiar with a programming language. If you have a basic understanding of Python, you may want to consider the intermediate level "Python: Object-Oriented Programming" (CMPR.X420). More experienced programmers should take "Python for Programmers" (CMPR.X416).
*This course includes a module on "Introducing Generative AI Assisted Programming."
Online Self-Paced courses have a structured learning environment where students are allowed to complete the work at their own pace. Students may complete the coursework early or use the entire duration of the course. This course is largely self-study with instructor guidance and includes online learning modules, assignments, and/or quizzes. All course materials and assignments will be available at the beginning of the course on Canvas, our learning management system.
For this section, student access begins on September 8, but you may still enroll until October 14. All course work must be completed by 11:59 pm on December 9, 2025.
Access to a computer with Python version 3.6 or higher and Jupyter Notebook is required. The recommended software to obtain the required tools for this course is Anaconda, free Individual Edition: https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual
Electronic Course Materials: You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Recommended Text:
Learn to Program with Python 3: A Step-by-Step Guide to Programming, 2nd edition, by Irv Kalb, Apress. ISBN-13: 978-1484238783 ISBN-10: 9781484238783
Murach's Python Programming (2nd Edition), Authors: Joel Murach, Michael Urban Publication Date: 2021-04-01
ISBN: 9781943872749
Think Python, Authors: Allen B. Downey
Publisher: "O'Reilly Media, Inc."
Publication Date: 2015-12-02
ISBN: 9781491939413
Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Authors: Michael Dawson Publisher: Course Technology Publication Date: 2003-01-01 ISBN: 9781592000739
Online Self-Paced courses have a structured learning environment where students are allowed to complete the work at their own pace. Students may complete the coursework early or use the entire duration of the course. This course is largely self-study with instructor guidance and includes online learning modules, assignments, and/or quizzes. All course materials and assignments will be available at the beginning of the course on Canvas, our learning management system.
For this section, student access begins on November 4, but you may still enroll until December 9. All course work must be completed by 11:59 pm on February 3, 2025.
Access to a computer with Python version 3.6 or higher and Jupyter Notebook is required. The recommended software to obtain the required tools for this course is Anaconda, free Individual Edition: https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual
Electronic Course Materials: You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Recommended Text:
Learn to Program with Python 3: A Step-by-Step Guide to Programming, 2nd edition, by Irv Kalb, Apress. ISBN-13: 978-1484238783 ISBN-10: 9781484238783
Murach's Python Programming (2nd Edition), Authors: Joel Murach, Michael Urban Publication Date: 2021-04-01
ISBN: 9781943872749
Think Python, Authors: Allen B. Downey
Publisher: "O'Reilly Media, Inc."
Publication Date: 2015-12-02
ISBN: 9781491939413
Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Authors: Michael Dawson Publisher: Course Technology Publication Date: 2003-01-01 ISBN: 9781592000739
Online Self-Paced courses have a structured learning environment where students are allowed to complete the work at their own pace. Students may complete the coursework early or use the entire duration of the course. This course is largely self-study with instructor guidance and includes online learning modules, assignments, and/or quizzes. All course materials and assignments will be available at the beginning of the course on Canvas, our learning management system.
For this section, student access begins on January 6, but you may still enroll until February 10. All course work must be completed by 11:59 pm on April 7, 2026.
Access to a computer with Python version 3.6 or higher and Jupyter Notebook is required. The recommended software to obtain the required tools for this course is Anaconda, free Individual Edition: https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual
Electronic Course Materials: You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.
Recommended Text:
Learn to Program with Python 3: A Step-by-Step Guide to Programming, 2nd edition, by Irv Kalb, Apress. ISBN-13: 978-1484238783 ISBN-10: 9781484238783
Murach's Python Programming (2nd Edition), Authors: Joel Murach, Michael Urban Publication Date: 2021-04-01 ISBN: 9781943872749
Think Python, Authors: Allen B. Downey Publisher: "O'Reilly Media, Inc." Publication Date: 2015-12-02 ISBN: 9781491939413
Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Authors: Michael Dawson Publisher: Course Technology Publication Date: 2003-01-01 ISBN: 9781592000739
