An Introduction to Programming using Python

An Introduction to Programming using Python

Instructors: Dr Rafael Papallas

Access provided by Nanyang Technological University

11,904 already enrolled

2 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

105 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

2 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

105 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Describe what computer programming is, recognising its purpose and how it enables the creation and execution of computer programs.
Explain what algorithms are and their significance in programming.
Create programs that accept user input, display output, and utilise essential programming constructs such as if statements, loops, and functions.
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Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Python Programming

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

10 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 2 modules in this course

Maximise your employability, by learning the basics of coding in Python. Python is a versatile programming language used for developing websites and software, task automation, data analysis and more.

In this course, you'll embark on an exciting journey into the world of Python and gain valuable skills that will enable you to start thinking about a career in programming. Through exercises and practical projects, you will gain confidence and deepen your understanding of coding in Python. By the end of the course, you will be able to showcase your skills by programming a small robot to navigate obstacles. Join us on this transformative journey and unlock the boundless potential of Python programming to discover the opportunities awaiting you in the world of development.

This first week of the course will give you an understanding of the basic principles of programming. You will learn what programming is and be introduced to some basic theories of computers. You will also learn what an algorithm is and the basics of propositional logic – the fundamental underpinnings of programming. Finally, you will look at some basic Python syntax such as variables, data types and input/output, and you will write a simple Python program.

What's included

17 videos10 readings5 assignments3 discussion prompts3 ungraded labs

17 videos Total 97 minutes

Welcome to your course 4 minutes
What is programming? 4 minutes
Why do we need different programming languages? 3 minutes
Lesson 1: Summary and consolidation 1 minute
How a computer program really works 6 minutes
Algorithmic problem solving: How a programmer thinks about problem solving 7 minutes
What is an algorithm? 5 minutes
What is a pseudocode? 7 minutes
Propositional logic: How computers make decisions 4 minutes
Logic operators: How to create complex logical propositions 13 minutes
Lesson 2: Summary and consolidation 2 minutes
Variables: How to give name to values and create general programs 7 minutes
Primitive data types in Python: Learn about booleans, integers, floats and strings 8 minutes
More on strings in Python 7 minutes
Input and output in Python 9 minutes
Writing comments 5 minutes
Lesson 3: Summary and consolidation 3 minutes

10 readings Total 54 minutes

About your instructor 2 minutes
Course overview 5 minutes
Optional: Working offline 10 minutes
Lesson 1: Overview 2 minutes
Lesson 2: Overview 5 minutes
Logical operators 10 minutes
Exercise: Finding out the precedence of logic operators 10 minutes
Lesson 3: Overview 5 minutes
Optional exercise: What other strings methods are there? 0 minutes
Recap: Input, print and f-strings 5 minutes

5 assignments Total 22 minutes

Check your understanding: Computer programming and programming languages 5 minutes
Check your understanding 5 minutes
Check your understanding: Logic operators 5 minutes
Check your understanding: Logic operators precedence 2 minutes
Check your understanding: Variables 5 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 35 minutes

What are you looking forward to? 10 minutes
What other programming languages are out there? 15 minutes
Reflecting on Week 1 10 minutes

3 ungraded labs Total 45 minutes

Exercise: Hands-on with Visual Studio Code, your text editor 10 minutes
Exercise: Define your own variables 15 minutes
Exercise: Input and output in Python 20 minutes

The second week will introduce some more advanced programming concepts. In particular, conditionals (if statements), loops and functions. With these under your belt, you will be able to write small but complex programs. By the end of the week, you will be able to put together a Python program that commands a small virtual robot to move in space!

What's included

13 videos9 readings5 assignments3 discussion prompts5 ungraded labs

13 videos Total 78 minutes

Week 2: Overview 5 minutes
Conditionals: How computers take decisions 5 minutes
If statements in Python 9 minutes
The 'else' keyword in Python 5 minutes
The 'elif' keyword in Python 8 minutes
For loops in Python 8 minutes
While loops in Python 11 minutes
Lesson 4: Summary and consolidation 3 minutes
What is a function in programming? 11 minutes
How to write your own functions in Python 5 minutes
Lesson 5: Summary and consolidation 2 minutes
Introduction to the project you will work on 5 minutes
Lesson 6: Summary and consolidation 2 minutes

9 readings Total 46 minutes

Lesson 4: Overview 2 minutes
Conditionals in Python 2 minutes
Lesson 5: Overview 2 minutes
What's the difference between arguments and parameters? 10 minutes
Lesson 6: Overview 10 minutes
Optional reading: How the A* algorithm works 10 minutes
Optional: Instructions for how to run the graphical version 0 minutes
Course summary: What have you learned? 5 minutes
Taking your learning further 5 minutes

5 assignments Total 37 minutes

Check your understanding: Conditionals and if statements 5 minutes
Check your understanding: Loops 5 minutes
Check your understanding: Functions 5 minutes
Check your understanding: Functions, arguments and parameters in Python 2 minutes
Test your learning and get your certificate 20 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 30 minutes

Functions and naming conventions 10 minutes
Share your solution with others! 10 minutes
Reflections on the course 10 minutes

5 ungraded labs Total 105 minutes

Exercise: If statements 10 minutes
Exercises on loops 20 minutes
Exercise: Practicing functions 15 minutes
Exercise: Implementing a basic version 30 minutes
Exercise: Implementing the improved algorithm using a path finding algorithm 30 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(29 ratings)

Dr Rafael Papallas

University of Leeds

3 Courses 17,691 learners

Offered by

University of Leeds

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Reviewed on Aug 9, 2025

Thanks you so much for such a amazing experience.. All my credits to Mr. Rafeal Papallus

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2024

Great experience and a great introduction to Python. Thank you!

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2025

Best course on truly fundamentals of programming I have ever found, this is exactly what you want to learn to start programming. Cheers from Mexico City.

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