This two-part course is designed to help students with very little or no computing background learn the basics of building simple interactive applications. Our language of choice, Python, is an easy-to learn, high-level computer language that is used in many of the computational courses offered on Coursera. To make learning Python easy, we have developed a new browser-based programming environment that makes developing interactive applications in Python simple. These applications will involve windows whose contents are graphical and respond to buttons, the keyboard and the mouse.
In part 1 of this course, we will introduce the basic elements of programming (such as expressions, conditionals, and functions) and then use these elements to create simple interactive applications such as a digital stopwatch. Part 1 of this class will culminate in building a version of the classic arcade game "Pong".
This course is part of the Fundamentals of Computing Specialization
An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1)
Offered By
About this Course
4.8
2,192 ratings
Skills you will gain
Programming PrinciplesPython Syntax And SemanticsComputer ProgrammingPython Programming
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
14 hours to complete
Week 0 - Statements, expressions, variables
Understand the structure of this class, explore Python as a calculator
6 videos (Total 71 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
6 videos
Introduction14m
CodeSkulptor11m
Arithmetic Expressions13m
Variables11m
Saving in CodeSkulptor9m
Mini-project Video10m
4 readings
Practice Exercises for Expressions (optional)10m
Practice Exercises for Variables and Assignments (optional)10m
Mini-project Description10m
Code Clinic Tips10m
1 practice exercise
Quiz 020m
Week
25 hours to complete
Week 1 - Functions, logic, conditionals
Learn the basic constructs of Python programming, create a program that plays a variant of Rock-Paper-Scissors
7 videos (Total 98 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes
7 videos
Functions15m
Visualizing Functions12m
More Operations17m
Logic and Comparisons10m
Conditionals10m
Programming Tips - 116m
Mini-project Video15m
5 readings
Practice Exercises for Functions (optional)10m
Practice Exercises for Logic and Conditionals (optional)10m
Mini-project Description10m
Practice Mini-project: Mystical Octosphere (optional)10m
Code Clinic Tips10m
1 practice exercise
Quiz 120m
Week
35 hours to complete
Week 2 - Event-driven programming, local/global variables
Learn the basics of event-driven programming, understand difference between local and global variables, create an interactive program that plays a simple guessing game
8 videos (Total 83 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes
8 videos
Local vs. Global Variables11m
SimpleGUI11m
Buttons10m
Input Fields9m
Visualizing Events5m
Programming Tips - 213m
Mini-project Video6m
5 readings
Practice Exercises for Interactive Applications (optional)10m
Practice Exercises for Button and Input Fields (optional)10m
Mini-project Description10m
Practice Mini-project: Magical Octosphere Reloaded (optional)10m
Code Clinic Tips10m
2 practice exercises
Quiz 2a20m
Quiz 2b20m
Week
44 hours to complete
Week 3 - Canvas, drawing, timers
Create a canvas in Python, learn how to draw on the canvas, create a digital stopwatch
7 videos (Total 71 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes
7 videos
String Processing11m
Interactive Drawing12m
Timers9m
Visualizing Drawing and Timers6m
Programming Tips - 37m
Mini-project Video9m
4 readings
Practice Exercises for Drawing (optional)10m
Practice Exercises for Timers (optional)10m
Mini-project Description10m
Code Clinic Tips10m
2 practice exercises
Quiz 3a20m
Quiz 3b18m
Week
55 hours to complete
Week 4 - Lists, keyboard input, the basics of modeling motion
Learn the basics of lists in Python, model moving objects in Python, recreate the classic arcade game "Pong"
8 videos (Total 77 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes
8 videos
Lists11m
Keyboard Input9m
Motion14m
Collisions and Reflections11m
Velocity Control9m
Visualizing Lists and Mutation5m
Programming Tips - 43m
Mini-project Video11m
4 readings
Practice Exercises for Lists (optional)10m
Practice Exercises for Keyboard (optional)10m
Mini-project Description10m
Code Clinic Tips10m
2 practice exercises
Quiz 4a18m
Quiz 4b18m
4.8
646 Reviews31%
started a new career after completing these courses
34%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
15%
got a pay increase or promotion
Top Reviews
It was nice beginner course for the new programming to learn programming and practice the concepts with most intuitive way, the way is to build a game and that interests anyone who takes this course.
A great intro that puts the topic into achievable steps! I have a mechanical engineering background and I found it to be straightforward. The professors do a good job of making it fun and enjoyable.
Instructors
John Greiner
LecturerDepartment of Computer Science
Stephen Wong
LecturerComputer Science
Scott Rixner
ProfessorComputer Science
Joe Warren
ProfessorComputer Science
About Rice University
Rice University is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the U.S. and the top 100 in the world. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
About the Fundamentals of Computing Specialization
This Specialization covers much of the material that first-year Computer Science students take at Rice University. Students learn sophisticated programming skills in Python from the ground up and apply these skills in building more than 20 fun projects. The Specialization concludes with a Capstone exam that allows the students to demonstrate the range of knowledge that they have acquired in the Specialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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