This course is part of the Python 3 Programming Specialization

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Steve Oney +1 more instructor

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Associated with the Master of Applied Data Science degree
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Python 3 Programming SpecializationUniversity of Michigan

About this Course

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This course introduces classes, instances, and inheritance. You will learn how to use classes to represent data in concise and natural ways. You'll also learn how to override built-in methods and how to create "inherited" classes that reuse functionality. You'll also learn about how to design classes. Finally, you will be introduced to the good programming habit of writing automated tests for their own code.
The course is best-suited for you if you are already familiar with Python fundamentals, which are covered in the "Python Basics" and "Python Functions, Files, and Dictionaries" courses (courses 1 and 2 of the Python 3 Programming Specialization). It is optional to have taken the "Data Collection and Processing with Python" course (course 3 of the specialization), but knowledge of retrieving and processing complex nested data is helpful.

This is the fourth of five courses in the Python 3 Programming Specialization.

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Course 4 of 5 in the

Python 3 Programming Specialization

Intermediate Level

Approx. 17 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 4 of 5 in the

Python 3 Programming Specialization

Intermediate Level

Approx. 17 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.72/5 (370 Ratings)

Steve Oney

Assistant Professor

School of Information

400,991 Learners

8 Courses

Paul Resnick

Michael D. Cohen Collegiate Professor

School of Information

407,623 Learners

9 Courses

Offered by

University of Michigan

Start working towards your Master's degree

This course is related to the 100% online Master of Applied Data Science from University of Michigan. It will provide you with a preview of the topics, materials and instructors so you can decide if the full online degree program is right for you.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(7,129 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

6 hours to complete

Classes

6 hours to complete

14 videos (Total 79 min), 15 readings, 3 quizzes

14 videos

Introduction to the Specialization11mWelcome to Python Classes and Inheritance3mHow to Use the Interactive Textbook14mUser-Defined Classes9mAdding Parameters to the Constructor3mAdding Other Methods to a Class6mInstance Variable Search Order2mExample: Creating Instances from Data6mConverting an Object to a String3mSpecial (dunderscore) Methods3mInstances as Return Values3mSorting Lists of Instances3mClass Variables and Instance Variables6mThinking About Classes and Instances1m

15 readings

Syllabus10mHelp Us Learn More About You!10mSyllabus10mIntroduction: Classes and Objects - The Basics10mObjects Revisited10mUser Defined Classes10mAdding Parameters to the Constructor10mAdding Other Methods to a Class10mObjects as Arguments and Parameters10mConverting an Object to a String10mInstances as Return Values10mSorting Lists of Instances10mClass Variables and Instance Variables10mThinking About Classes and Instances10mA Tamagotchi Game10m

1 practice exercise

Optional - What Did You Use to Practice This Week?30m

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Inheritance

4 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 28 min), 5 readings, 3 quizzes

Week3

Week 3

7 hours to complete

Unit Testing and Exceptions

7 hours to complete

13 videos (Total 94 min), 11 readings, 4 quizzes

13 videos

Introduction: Test Cases2mThe test.testEqual Function4mReturn Value Tests8mSide Effect Tests9mProgram Development with Test Cases6mTesting Classes7mConclusion: Test Cases2mException Handling Flow-of-control6mWhen to use Try/Except3mHandling Different Exception Types6mIntroduction to Django17mHow Django Uses Classes and Inheritance14mIntroduction - Final Course Project4m

11 readings

The test.testEqual Function10mWriting Test Cases for Functions10mProgram Development10mTesting Classes10mWhat is an Exception?10mException Handling Flow-of-control10mRaising and Catching Errors10mWhen to use Try/Except10mStandard Exceptions10mCourse Feedback10mKeep Learning with Michigan Online10m

Reviews

4.7

547 reviews

5 stars
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3 stars
2.92%
2 stars
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1 star
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TOP REVIEWS FROM PYTHON CLASSES AND INHERITANCE

by DASep 21, 2021

This was a great course! Things were clear and concise, and the homework assignments were helpful practice. I thought it was a really engaging layout for these topics.

by YDOct 16, 2020

The course is really good for learning object oriented programming in python for we beginners. Thank you coursera and Fr. CRCE for giving a platform to learn these courses.

by MSJul 8, 2020

I like the final project a lot. Working through it helped to consolidate what I have learned from the readings and videos. Thank you, Professor Resnick, Professor Oney, Jackie, and others.

by PMJun 13, 2020

Well done! Steve (and the team) did an excellent job. I have worked with Python Classes, but now I believe I truly understand how and "why" they are constructed as they are. Cheers!

View all reviews

About the Python 3 Programming Specialization

This specialization teaches the fundamentals of programming in Python 3. We will begin at the beginning, with variables, conditionals, and loops, and get to some intermediate material like keyword parameters, list comprehensions, lambda expressions, and class inheritance.

You will have lots of opportunities to practice. You will also learn ways to reason about program execution, so that it is no longer mysterious and you are able to debug programs when they don’t work. By the end of the specialization, you’ll be writing programs that query Internet APIs for data and extract useful information from them. And you’ll be able to learn to use new modules and APIs on your own by reading the documentation. That will give you a great launch toward being an independent Python programmer. This specialization is a good next step for you if you have completed Python for Everybody but want a more in-depth treatment of Python fundamentals and more practice, so that you can proceed with confidence to specializations like Applied Data Science with Python. But it is also appropriate as a first set of courses in Python if you are already familiar with some other programming language, or if you are up for the challenge of diving in head-first.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. 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.
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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Python Classes and Inheritance

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