This course is part of the Introduction to Programming with Python and Java Specialization

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Brandon Krakowsky

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Introduction to Programming with Python and Java SpecializationUniversity of Pennsylvania

About this Course

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This course provides an introduction to programming and the Python language.  Students are introduced to core programming concepts like data structures, conditionals, loops, variables, and functions.  This course includes an overview of the various tools available for writing and running Python, and gets students coding quickly.  It also provides hands-on coding exercises using commonly used data structures, writing custom functions, and reading and writing to files. This course may be more robust than some other introductory python courses, as it delves deeper into certain essential programming topics.

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.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Course 1 of 4 in the

Introduction to Programming with Python and Java Specialization

Beginner Level

High school or college math.

Minimal prior programming exposure may be helpful but not needed (e.g. Computational Thinking for Problem Solving).

Approx. 27 hours to complete

English

What you will learn

Identify core aspects of programming and features of the Python language
Understand and apply core programming concepts like data structures, conditionals, loops, variables, and functions
Use different tools for writing and running Python code
Design and write fully-functional Python programs using commonly used data structures, custom functions, and reading and writing to files

Skills you will gain

Python Tools
Python Syntax And Semantics
Programming Principles
Python Programming
Computer Programming

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.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Course 1 of 4 in the

Introduction to Programming with Python and Java Specialization

Beginner Level

High school or college math.

Minimal prior programming exposure may be helpful but not needed (e.g. Computational Thinking for Problem Solving).

Approx. 27 hours to complete

English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.57/5 (349 Ratings)

Brandon Krakowsky

Lecturer

School of Engineering and Applied Science

78,197 Learners

7 Courses

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

Start working towards your Master's degree

This course is related to the 100% online Master of Computer and Information Technology from University of Pennsylvania. 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 Rating94%(5,219 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

8 hours to complete

Module 1 : Course Introduction, Intro to Programming and The Python Language, Variables, Conditionals, Jupyter Notebook, and IDLE

This first module covers an intro to programming and the Python language.

We’ll start by downloading and installing the necessary tools to begin programming and writing code in Python. After learning how to print to the console, we’ll get an understanding of Python’s basic data types, and how to do simple math. We’ll follow up by creating our first Python script, and learn how to define and assign variables, while controlling the flow of our program using conditionals. We’ll also learn how to get input from the user, including some very basic error checking. Let’s get started!

8 hours to complete

42 videos (Total 78 min), 10 readings, 5 quizzes

42 videos

About the Instructor : Brandon Krakowsky 1mWhat you should expect from this Course1mWhy begin with Python?21sModule Intro37sWhat is Programming?38sClient-side vs. server-side programming53sIntroduction to core programming concepts: Data structures, Conditionals, Variables, Functions, and Loops1mWhat is Python?29sPython is interpreted27sWhy Python?36sDownloading & installing Python33sDownloading & Installing Jupyter Notebook35sUsing Jupyter Notebook3mHow do I write Python?46sPrinting2mBasic Data Types2mArithmetic operators1mAbout division1mBoolean values1mComparison operators37sCode Along Exercise : Even/Odd45sStrings2mCasting3mHow to use Coursera Labs & understand Autograder output9mDownloading & installing IDLE24sUsing the IDLE shell1mRunning a Python script1mAdding comments to Python scripts1mCode Along Exercise : Comment the program to greet user1mAssigning a variable54sBoolean operators1mVariable substitution2mCombining variables1mCode Along Exercise : Cats & dogs1mGetting user input3mCode Along Exercise : Calculate total bill6mThe if … elif … else statement2mCode Along Exercise : Numerical grade to letter grade2mMultiple if conditionals1mChecking user input1mCoding Demonstration : Common Python Errors6mCoding Demonstration : Creating a function to convert numerical grade to letter grade3m

10 readings

Course Layout & Syllabus15mTips to succeed in this course10mModule 1 Resources (DOWNLOAD RELEVANT CODE AND/OR DATA FILES FOR THIS MODULE HERE)30mPython - Getting Help2mQuick Intro to Variables5mHomework 1a : Instructions10mWhat is a Python script?3mPython Errors10mReading : Quick Intro to Functions5mHomework 1b : Instructions10m

3 practice exercises

Quiz 1 - Intro to Python & The Python Language10mPractice Quiz - Variables & data types30mQuiz 2 - Variables & Conditionals20m

Week2

Week 2

7 hours to complete

Module 2 : Intro to Lists, Loops, and Functions

We’ll start this module with a brief intro to lists, one of Python’s most commonly used data structures. We’ll learn just enough to get us started with loops, which are used to repeat a process or run a block of code multiple times. We’ll get into functions, which are blocks of organized code used to perform a single, related action. We’ll review some of Python’s built-in functions and learn how to design our own user-defined functions to use as building blocks in our own programs. Along the way, we’ll learn best practices for documenting our code for 2 different audiences: The users who are using our code and want to understand it at a high level, and the programmers who are reading it and want to know how it works.

7 hours to complete

31 videos (Total 56 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes

31 videos

Module Introduction1mCreating a list29sUpdating a list1mTypes of Loops17sExecuting code a given number of times1mIterating over a list3mCode Along Exercise : Find minimum value2mIterating over strings1mIterate over a string1mCode Along Exercise : Iterate over a name1m'for' loops using range4mRepeatedly executing code based on a condition1mWaiting for user input45sCode Along Exercise : Secret password1mExiting a loop using break1mExiting a loop using continue1mNested loops1mCode Along Exercise : Multiplication tables1mCoding Demonstration : Average program4mCoding Demonstration : Word reversal1mWhat is a function?22sBuilt-in functions46sUser-defined functions56sCode Along Exercise : Square49sCode Along Exercise : Greater than1mDocstrings (Documentation Strings)56sCode Along Exercise : Get factors2mCode Along Exercise : Unique list2mExecution order44sThe main function49sCoding Demonstration : Vowel/word counter 9m

2 readings

Module 2 Resources (DOWNLOAD RELEVANT CODE AND/OR DATA FILES FOR THIS MODULE HERE)30mHomework 2 : Instructions10m

3 practice exercises

Quiz 3 - Intro to Lists & Loops18mPractice Quiz : Intro to Lists, Loops, and Functions30mQuiz 4 - Functions10m

Week3

Week 3

6 hours to complete

Module 3 : More with Lists, Strings, Tuples, Sets, and PyCharm

In this module, we’re going to start using PyCharm, another IDE for writing and running Python code. It has enhanced features that go way beyond the limited functionality of IDLE, and it’s also an industry standard. After revisiting lists, including more advanced usage of the commonly used sequence, we’ll take a deep dive into two other very important data structures : sets and tuples. We’ll learn how they can be leveraged to both store and manipulate information. And while we already have some experience working with strings, this module will explore the intricacies and more powerful functionality of strings.

6 hours to complete

16 videos (Total 25 min), 3 readings, 4 quizzes

16 videos

Module introduction55sAbout PyCharm21sDownloading & installing PyCharm8sRunning code1mA review of lists2mMore list operations40sList functions52sSlicing lists6mStrings vs. lists51sSlicing strings1mCode Along Exercise : Name Substring1mSplit and join1mCreating a tuple1mCode Along Exercise : Max and min function4mCreating a set1mIterating over and updating a set21s

3 readings

Module 3 Resources (DOWNLOAD RELEVANT CODE AND/OR DATA FILES FOR THIS MODULE HERE)30mString functions5mHomework 3 : Instructions10m

3 practice exercises

Practice Quiz : Jupyter Notebook, IDLE, & PyCharm30mQuiz 5 - Lists & Strings10mQuiz 6 - Tuples & Sets10m

Week4

Week 4

7 hours to complete

Module 4 : Dictionaries and Files

There are multiple ways of loading and storing data in Python. Information can be saved in dictionaries, a data structure that is extremely useful for storing multiple attributes (or data points) about a single thing. Data can also be stored in external files and then loaded into Python. This module will allow us to work with dictionaries in a variety of ways and to interact with the local file system by opening, reading from, and writing to, external files. With these added skills, you’ll begin to get a better sense of the dynamic power of Python and how it can be easily integrated with other systems.

7 hours to complete

17 videos (Total 55 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes

17 videos

Module Introduction 52sCreating a dictionary 47sKey:value pairs 42sUpdating a dictionary 49sCode Along Exercise : Grade/attendance book 9mOpening a file 54sBasics of file open method modes 1mReading a file 40sNewline characters33sWriting to a file17sClosing a file48sCoding Demonstration : Open and read a file3mCoding Demonstration : Open, read, and append to new file3mCoding Demonstration : Open, read, and append to same file3mCoding Demonstration : Open, read, and write to new file2mCoding Demonstration : File to Dictionary11mIntro to Homework 413m

2 readings

Module 4 Resources (DOWNLOAD RELEVANT CODE AND/OR DATA FILES FOR THIS MODULE HERE)30mHomework 4 : Instructions10m

3 practice exercises

Quiz 7 - Dictionaries14mPractice Quiz : Python Dictionaries & Files30mQuiz 8 - File I/O12m

Reviews

4.4

253 reviews

5 stars
67.54%
4 stars
19.95%
3 stars
5.28%
2 stars
2.04%
1 star
5.16%

TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO PYTHON PROGRAMMING

by EBDec 6, 2021

I learned a lot from this course! Thank you Brandon and team. The course has more coverage than the one offered by Michigan U which I took prior to this.

by KCSep 17, 2022

Very good introductory course: the final assignment was sufficiently challenging that I had to visit the discussion forums and review online resources to assist with completion.

by TSSep 24, 2021

Great quality course. The assignments are challenging, so make sure you've have some exposure to the basics of Python before attempting this course.

by ARJun 13, 2022

It;s amazing course to start your programing. The way of explaining by faculty is good . The assignments level is challengeing. Perfect course for beginners

View all reviews

About the Introduction to Programming with Python and Java Specialization

This Specialization starts out by teaching basic concepts in Python and ramps up to more complex subjects such as object-oriented programming and data structures in Java. By the time learners complete this series of four courses, they will be able to write fully-functional programs in both Python and Java, two of the most well-known and frequently used programming languages in the world today.

Introduction to Programming with Python and Java is for students and professionals who have minimal or no prior programming exposure. It’s for motivated learners who have experience with rigorous coursework, and are looking to gain a competitive edge in advancing their career. It’s for folks who are thinking about applying to the University of Pennsylvania’s online Master of Computer and Information Technology degree and want to sample some of the lecture videos and content from the first course in the program. We hope this Specialization is for you. Topics in this Specialization include language syntax, style, programming techniques, and coding conventions. Learn about best practices and good code design, code testing and test-driven development, code debugging, code and program documentation, and computational thinking.

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.
Do I need to know how to program or have studied computer science in order to take this course?
No, definitely not! This Specialization is intended for anyone who has an interest in problem solving and wants to learn introductory Python or Java. No prior computer science or programming experience is required.
How much math do I need to know to take this course?
The only math that learners will need for this Specialization is arithmetic and basic concepts in logic.
This course was fun. How can I learn more?
This course is the first in the Introduction to Programming with Python and Java Specialization. If you enjoyed it, we recommend Courses 2, 3 and 4 in the series!
If you would like to learn the fundamentals of computer science beyond the basics of programming, consider applying to the Master of Computer and Information and Technology (MCIT) at the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League computer science master’s program for people without a computer science background. For an on-campus experience, explore here. If you prefer an online setting, apply to MCIT Online. In fact, the lectures in this series are also used in the online degree program! The Specialization certificate will be viewed favorably by the admissions committee, so be sure to mention it when you apply.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Introduction to Python Programming

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