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.
This course is part of the Fundamentals of Computing Specialization
An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1)
Offered By
About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
34%
started a new career after completing these courses
39%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
21%
got a pay increase or promotion
Skills you will gain
Programming PrinciplesPython Syntax And SemanticsComputer ProgrammingPython Programming
Learner Career Outcomes
34%
started a new career after completing these courses
39%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
21%
got a pay increase or promotion
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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 1 of 7 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 30 hours to complete
Suggested: 5 weeks of study, 7-10 hours/week
English
Subtitles: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Korean, German, Russian, English, Spanish
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
4 hours to complete
Week 0 - Statements, expressions, variables
Understand the structure of this class, explore Python as a calculator
4 hours to complete
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
5 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
5 hours to complete
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
5 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
5 hours to complete
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
4 hours to complete
Week 3 - Canvas, drawing, timers
Create a canvas in Python, learn how to draw on the canvas, create a digital stopwatch
4 hours to complete
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
Reviews
4.8
TOP REVIEWS FROM AN INTRODUCTION TO INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING IN PYTHON (PART 1)
by HJSep 18, 2017
The course is well structured but goes very (too?) fast... I spent so much more hours than indicated to do the practice exercises and the mini projects. Difficult to manage if you have a full time job
by VMJul 9, 2018
Great start course! The learning curve gets a bit steep for people with no prior knowledge after the first few weeks, but the teachers keep the class interesting and the exercises are great practice.
by CDJul 12, 2017
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.
by JTOct 8, 2018
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.
by KRSep 25, 2018
Was actually a very interesting class! I feel most computer programming classes should be structured like this. Learn a hell of a lot more actually programming rather than taking tests and quizzes.
by SSMar 8, 2020
Exceptional course for beginners trying to learn Python. Has projects that actually help reinforce what we learn. I sincerely thank the professors and makers of the course for truly making it work.
by HNApr 26, 2019
Each sections has many examples that can help student easy to understand then practice immediately. I'm happy to know a new language and improved my coding knowledge after completing this course
by RSFeb 23, 2020
I had a lot of fun with this course. The instructors were concise and they created some very fun projects. Coming into programming somewhat green, I also learned a lot more than just Python.
by EKOct 16, 2018
Very, very good material and great overlap of what is required in the quiz / assignments with what is taught. The instructors had fun teaching this course and so did I. Great job, thank you!
by MMOct 3, 2017
This was a fun and convenient course, and it was a great start to learning programming for me. There must have been lots of thought and talent put into it to make it that way.\n\nThank you!
by RHMar 28, 2019
Learn a lot from this course, lots of exercises and fun projects. Looking forward to the 2nd parts. Must take this course if you are serious about learning python or programming in general.
by RSJun 9, 2019
I am not particularly new to python, but I am new to interactive programming. The material and the projects were relevant and interesting and thought it was a great introductory course.
by AHOct 21, 2018
This course its a little hard walk through in the programing basic concepts, although the concepts are very funny to learn they lead to a deep understanding of programming essentials
by HGMay 13, 2016
It's just awesome to be able to take this kind of courses and specially when they have people so dedicated and interested in teaching and encouraging others so we can all learn. Than
by YYDec 10, 2016
like it.\n\nlike the mini project a lot. it really helps you build up what you have learned and put it into practice. and also it benefits a lot from examine other peers assignment.
by AJAug 21, 2019
Thank you so much for such a wonderfully structured course to explain the concepts of Python programming. I can't wait to start the Part 2 of this course to finally make the game!!
by AAMar 16, 2018
This class is great for brushing up on Python skills! The instructors provide all the tools to be able to complete projects and the course is challenging enough to stay interesting
by FCSep 22, 2019
Very helpful for a beginner in computer science. Video and materials are clear. The only downside is that it takes quite some time for some of the projects to be graded by peers.
by BTFeb 9, 2018
This class is fun and gets you moving pretty quickly. I think a little python or programming experience before beginning would probably be helpful, but not completely necessary.
by FRFeb 16, 2017
I enjoyed this course a lot! They really accomplish to make it fun :D The explanations are very clear and concrete, simple but not boring. I can't wait to learn more in part 2.
Offered by
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.
