About this course: Behind every mouse click and touch-screen tap, there is a computer program that makes things happen. This course introduces the fundamental building blocks of programming and teaches you how to write fun and useful programs using the Python language.
Who is this class for: This course is primarily aimed at first-year university students and high school students who want to learn how to program.
Created by: University of Toronto
Taught by: Jennifer Campbell, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
Department of Computer Science
Taught by: Paul Gries, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
Department of Computer Science
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 7 weeks of study, 4-8 hours per week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Kazakh, Italian |
| Hardware Req | You'll need a computer that can run Python 3. |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Python, Variables, and Functions
This module gives an overview of the course, the editor we will use to write programs, and an introduction to fundamental concepts in Python including variables, mathematical expressions, and functions.
8 videos, 10 readings
- Video: Welcome to LTP
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: Course Logistics
- Reading: Resources
- Video: Installing Python
- Reading: Installing Python
- Video: Python as a Calculator
- Reading: Python as a Calculator
- Video: Python and Computer Memory
- Reading: Python and Computer Memory
- Video: Variables
- Reading: Variables
- Video: Visualizing Assignment Statements
- Reading: Visualizing Assignment Statements
- Video: Built-in Functions
- Reading: Built-in Functions
- Video: Defining Functions
- Reading: Defining Functions
Graded: Python, Variables, and Functions
WEEK 2
Strings and Designing Functions
This module introduces strings (a Python data type used to represent text), and a process to follow when creating a function.
6 videos, 6 readings
- Video: Type str
- Reading: Type str
- Video: Input/Output and str Formatting
- Reading: Input/Output and str Formatting
- Video: Docstrings and Function Help
- Reading: Docstrings and Function help
- Video: Function Design Recipe
- Reading: Function Design Recipe
- Video: Function Reuse
- Reading: Function Reuse
- Video: Visualizing Function Calls
- Reading: Visualizing Function Calls
Graded: Strings and Designing Functions
Graded: Assignment 1: Time Zones
WEEK 3
Booleans, Import, Namespaces, and if Statements
This module introduces Booleans (logical values True and False), how to convert between types, how to use Boolean expressions in if statements to selectively run code, and the concept of a Python module.
7 videos, 7 readings
- Video: Functions, Variables, and the Call Stack
- Reading: Functions, Variables, and the Call Stack
- Video: Type Bool
- Reading: Type Bool
- Video: Converting Between int, str, and float
- Reading: Converting Between int, str, and float
- Video: Import: Using Non-Built-in Functions
- Reading: Import: Using Non-Built-in Functions
- Video: If Statements
- Reading: If Statements
- Video: No if Required
- Reading: No if Required
- Video: Structuring if Statements
- Reading: Structuring if statements
Graded: Booleans, Import, Namespaces, and if Statements
WEEK 4
For Loops and Fancy String Manipulation
This module introduces one way to repeat code (using a for loop), how to manipulate strings, and how to use a debugger to watch a program execute step by step.
5 videos, 5 readings
- Video: More str Operators
- Reading: More str Operators
- Video: Str: Indexing and Slicing
- Reading: Str: Indexing and Slicing
- Video: Str Methods: Functions Inside of Objects
- Reading: Str Methods: Functions Inside of Objects
- Video: For Loop Over Str
- Reading: For Loop Over Str
- Video: IDLE's Debugger
- Reading: IDLE's Debugger
Graded: For Loops and Fancy String Manipulation
Graded: Assignment 2: DNA Processing
WEEK 5
While Loops, Lists, and Mutability
This module introduces another way to repeat code (using a while loop), how to properly document your code to help other programmers understand it, Python's list data type, and the concept of mutation.
6 videos, 6 readings
- Video: While Loops
- Reading: While Loops
- Video: Comments
- Reading: Comments
- Video: Type list
- Reading: Type list
- Video: list Methods
- Reading: list Methods
- Video: Mutability and Aliasing
- Reading: Mutability and Aliasing
- Video: range
- Reading: range
Graded: While Loops, Lists, and Mutability
WEEK 6
For Loops Over Indices, Parallel and Nested Lists and Strings, and Files
This module introduces how to use a for loop over the indexes of a list, how to nest lists, and how to read a write files.
7 videos, 6 readings
- Video: For Loop Over Indices
- Reading: For Loop Over Indices
- Video: Parallel Lists and Strings
- Reading: Parallel Lists and Strings
- Video: Nested Lists
- Reading: Nested Lists
- Video: Nested Loops
- Reading: Nested Loops
- Video: Reading Files
- Reading: Reading Files
- Video: Writing Files
- Reading: Writing Files
- Video: Developing a Program
Graded: For Loops Over Indices, Parallel Lists and Strings, and Files
Graded: Assignment 3
WEEK 7
Tuples and Dictionaries
This module introduces tuples (an immutable version of lists), and Python's dictionary type.
4 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Tuples
- Reading: Tuples
- Video: Type dict
- Reading: Type dict
- Video: Inverting a Dictionary
- Reading: Inverting a Dictionary
- Video: Populating a Dictionary
Graded: Tuples and Dictionaries
Graded: Final Exam
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
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Creators
University of Toronto
Established in 1827, the University of Toronto has one of the strongest research and teaching faculties in North America, presenting top students at all levels with an intellectual environment unmatched in depth and breadth on any other Canadian campus.
Ratings and Reviews
I enjoyed the course and did learn a lot. Thank you to the teachers.
The material in the first few weeks was presented at a slow pace, perfect for beginners. Additionally, there was enough difficulty in the quizzes to make some questions a challenge which kept things interesting.
The only small negative to the course is that it is quite theoretical. Additional simple practice exercises would be beneficial to actually provide coding practice on each concept. However, I was able to find these kind of exercises on other websites to supplement my learning.
I will be continuing on with other Python courses on Coursera.
Great course. Very helpful as an intro to Python.
Exceptional course and teachers.
This is an excellent beginner course that offers a certificate as well.
Great for the resume and for personal learning.
Recommended.
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Simple and clear. Nice introduction to Python3!