Programming in Python

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Programming in Python

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Instructor: Taught by Meta Experts

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,840 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

5 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

94%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,840 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

5 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

94%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Foundational programming skills with basic Python Syntax.
How to use objects, classes and methods.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

22 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

In this course, you will be introduced to foundational programming skills with basic Python Syntax. You’ll learn how to use code to solve problems. You’ll dive deep into the Python ecosystem and learn popular modules, libraries and tools for Python.

You’ll also get hands-on with objects, classes and methods in Python, and utilize variables, data types, control flow and loops, functions and data structures. You’ll learn how to recognize and handle errors and you’ll write unit tests for your Python code and practice test-driven development. By the end of this course, you will be able to: • Prepare your computer system for Python programming • Show understanding of Python syntax and how to control the flow of code • Demonstrate knowledge of how to handle errors and exceptions • Explain object-oriented programming and the major concepts associated with it • Explain the importance of testing in Python, and when to apply particular methods This is a beginner course for learners who would like to prepare themselves for a career in back-end development or database engineering. To succeed in this course, you do not need prior web development experience, only basic internet navigation skills and an eagerness to get started with coding.

Get started with the Python programming language and associated foundational concepts.

What's included

19 videos17 readings3 assignments1 programming assignment

19 videosTotal 89 minutes

Introduction to the Course3 minutes
How is Python used in the real world?2 minutes
Introduction to Programming4 minutes
Why Python?2 minutes
Environment check for Windows3 minutes
Environment check for Mac4 minutes
Running code - Command line VS IDE4 minutes
Python syntax, spaces matter4 minutes
Variables7 minutes
Basic data types7 minutes
Strings5 minutes
Type casting3 minutes
User input, console output9 minutes
Math and logical operators8 minutes
Control flow: If / else, else if7 minutes
Match statement6 minutes
Looping constructs6 minutes
Nested loops and the effect on algorithmic complexity6 minutes
Module summary: Getting started with Python1 minute

17 readingsTotal 135 minutes

Course syllabus5 minutes
How to be successful in this course10 minutes
Visual Studio Code5 minutes
Installing Python paths (Optional for Windows Users)5 minutes
Installing Python paths (Optional for Mac users)5 minutes
Required dependencies5 minutes
Python syntax cheat sheet0 minutes
Commenting code5 minutes
Basic Data type and Function Cheatsheet10 minutes
Type casting, a deeper look10 minutes
Additional resources5 minutes
Conditional statements15 minutes
Looping Constructs: Practical Examples5 minutes
Practicing control flow and loops5 minutes
Exercise: Use control flow and loops to solve a problem30 minutes
Use control flow and loops to solve a problem - solution10 minutes
Additional resources5 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Knowledge check - Welcome to Python Programming20 minutes
Self-review: Use control flow and loops to solve a problem10 minutes
Module quiz: Getting started with Python30 minutes

1 programming assignmentTotal 180 minutes

Type casting input180 minutes

Learn basic Python syntax, to use control flow and loops and work with functions and data structures. You will also learn how to recognise possible errors, their causes and how to handle them.

What's included

13 videos9 readings5 assignments2 programming assignments

13 videosTotal 58 minutes

Functions5 minutes
Variable scope5 minutes
Lists5 minutes
Tuples3 minutes
Sets5 minutes
Dictionaries7 minutes
kwargs3 minutes
What are exceptions2 minutes
Exception handling5 minutes
File handling in Python5 minutes
Creating Files5 minutes
Reading Files5 minutes
Module summary: Basic Programming with Python2 minutes

9 readingsTotal 120 minutes

Function and variable scope15 minutes
What are data structures?10 minutes
Choosing and using data structures15 minutes
Visual Studio Code on Coursera10 minutes
Additional resources5 minutes
Exercise: Exceptions in Python30 minutes
Exceptions in Python - solution10 minutes
Storing file contents in data structures20 minutes
Additional resources5 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 80 minutes

Functions, loops and data structures15 minutes
Knowledge check: Functions and Data structures15 minutes
Exceptions in Python10 minutes
Read in data, store, manipulate and output new data to a file15 minutes
Module quiz: Basic Programming with Python25 minutes

2 programming assignmentsTotal 360 minutes

Functions, loops and data structures180 minutes
Read in data, store, manipulate and output new data to a file180 minutes

Learn about the paradigms of procedural programming and the associated logical concepts. You'll explore functional and object-oriented programming, and get an introduction to algorithms.

What's included

16 videos19 readings9 assignments2 programming assignments

16 videosTotal 75 minutes

What is procedural programming?4 minutes
Algorithms5 minutes
Algorithmic complexity3 minutes
What is functional programming?4 minutes
Pure functions7 minutes
Recursion4 minutes
Reversing a string on Python5 minutes
Map & filter5 minutes
Introduction to Object Oriented Programming6 minutes
Python classes and instances5 minutes
Instantiate a custom Object5 minutes
Instance methods5 minutes
Parent classes vs. child classes6 minutes
Abstract classes and methods4 minutes
Method Resolution Order5 minutes
Module summary: Programming paradigms2 minutes

19 readingsTotal 330 minutes

Writing Algorithms20 minutes
Exercise: Make a cup of coffee10 minutes
Make a cup of coffee - solution10 minutes
Intro to Big-O notation15 minutes
Additional resources5 minutes
Recursion example: Tower of Hanoi10 minutes
Comprehensions30 minutes
Additional resources5 minutes
OOP Principles20 minutes
Exercise: Define a Class30 minutes
Define a Class - solution10 minutes
Exercise: Instantiate a custom Object30 minutes
Instantiate a custom Object - solution10 minutes
Inheritance and Multiple Inheritance30 minutes
Exercise: Classes and object exploration30 minutes
Working with Methods: Examples20 minutes
Exercise: Working with Methods30 minutes
Working with Methods - solution10 minutes
Additional resources5 minutes

9 assignmentsTotal 127 minutes

Self-review: Make a cup of coffee10 minutes
Knowledge check: Procedural Programming12 minutes
Mapping key values to dictionary data structures12 minutes
Knowledge check: Functional Programming12 minutes
Self-review: Define a Class12 minutes
Self-review: Instantiate a custom Object12 minutes
Abstract classes and methods15 minutes
Self-review: Working with Methods18 minutes
Module quiz: Programming Paradigms24 minutes

2 programming assignmentsTotal 360 minutes

Mapping key-values to Dictionary data structures 180 minutes
Abstract Classes and Methods180 minutes

Supercharge your coding environment with popular modules libraries and tools for Python. You'll also learn about the different types of testing and how to write a test.

What's included

17 videos7 readings4 assignments2 programming assignments1 discussion prompt

17 videosTotal 73 minutes

What is a module in Python?5 minutes
Accessing modules4 minutes
The import statement5 minutes
Writing import statements5 minutes
Namespacing and scoping7 minutes
reload() function4 minutes
Popular packages: NumPy, pandas, Matplotlib, etc4 minutes
Data analysis packages4 minutes
Machine learning, deep learning and AI: PyTorch, TensorFlow3 minutes
Python web frameworks4 minutes
What is testing?5 minutes
Types of testing5 minutes
Test automation packages4 minutes
Writing tests with PyTest5 minutes
Test-driven development (TDD)3 minutes
Applying TDD4 minutes
Module summary: Modules, packages, libraries and tools3 minutes

7 readingsTotal 105 minutes

Module Use-cases30 minutes
Additional resources5 minutes
Popular Packages: Examples30 minutes
Big Data and Analysis with Python15 minutes
Additional Resources10 minutes
PyTest cheat sheet10 minutes
Additional resources5 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 72 minutes

Knowledge check: Modules18 minutes
Knowledge check: Popular Packages, Libraries and Frameworks15 minutes
Testing quiz15 minutes
Module quiz: Modules, packages, libraries and tools24 minutes

2 programming assignmentsTotal 360 minutes

Import and Scope180 minutes
Writing PyTest Test Cases for String Validation180 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

What do you consider to be the difference between machine learning and AI?10 minutes

Practice and reflect on the skills you learned in this course.

What's included

2 videos2 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

2 videosTotal 4 minutes

Course Recap: Programming in Python2 minutes
Congratulations, you have completed Programming in Python2 minutes

2 readingsTotal 10 minutes

About the End-of-Course Graded Assessment5 minutes
Next steps after Programming in Python5 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 45 minutes

End-of-Course Graded Assessment: Using Python45 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Discuss challenges that you had with your fellow learners10 minutes
What did you find most challenging about learning to program in Python?10 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(537 ratings)

Taught by Meta Experts

Offered by

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Learner reviews

5 stars
74.25%
4 stars
18.03%
3 stars
4.12%
2 stars
1.73%
1 star
1.84%

Showing 3 of 1840

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2022

Thanks Meta for a very comprehensive course.Not only are fundamental computer science topics taught, but the job-ready skills needed for Python by covering it in breadth, but also depth.

Reviewed on May 12, 2025

It's not as extensive as a newbie might need, but the graded assessments force you to learn by actually coding. I recommend combining this course with other ones, whenever you hit a block.

Reviewed on Nov 13, 2022

this course is great for covering many aspects of python, but it requires more study form other resources as well. the lab was a little challenging. overall it was great experience.

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, 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.