Python for Everybody Specialization

This course aims to teach everyone the basics of programming computers using Python. We cover the basics of how one constructs a program from a series of simple instructions in Python. The course has no pre-requisites and avoids all but the simplest mathematics. Anyone with moderate computer experience should be able to master the materials in this course. This course will cover Chapters 1-5 of the textbook “Python for Everybody”. Once a student completes this course, they will be ready to take more advanced programming courses. This course covers Python 3.

100% online course

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 10 hours to complete

Suggested: 2-4 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English, German, Chinese (Simplified)

What you will learn

Describe the basics of the Python programming language

Install Python and write your first program

Use variables to store, retrieve and calculate information

Utilize core programming tools such as functions and loops

Skills you will gain

Python ProgrammingProblem SolvingDebuggingFunctional Programming

100% online course

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 10 hours to complete

Suggested: 2-4 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English, German, Chinese (Simplified)

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

1

Section

1 hour to complete

Chapter One - Why we Program?

These are the course-wide materials as well as the first part of Chapter One where we explore what it means to write programs. We finish Chapter One and have the quiz and first assignment in the third week of the class. Throughout the course you may want to come back and look at these materials. This section should not take you an entire week. ...

6 videos (Total 38 min), 5 readings

6 videos

Video: Welcome to Class - Dr. Chuck2m

Video: Welcome to Python - Guido van Rossum1m

1.1 - Why Program11m

1.2 - Hardware Overview11m

1.3 - Python as a Language7m

Fun: The Textbook Authors Meet @PyCon20153m

5 readings

Reading: Welcome to The Class10m

Welcome to Python 310m

Textbook: Python for Everybody: Exploring Data in Python 310m

Submitting Assignments10m

Audio Versions of All Lectures10m

2

Section

4 hours to complete

Installing and Using Python

In this module you will set things up so you can write Python programs. Not all activities in this module are required for this class so please read the "Using Python in this Class" material for details....

6 videos (Total 33 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

Demonstration: Using the Python Playground3m

Windows 10: Installing Python and Writing A Program8m

Windows: Taking Screen Shots2m

Macintosh: Using Python and Writing A Program4m

Macintosh: Taking Screen Shots4m

Bonus: Eben Upton and the RaspBerry Pi9m

3 readings

Important Reading: Using Python in this Class10m

Notes on Choice of Text Editor10m

Notice for Auditing Learners: Assignment Submission10m

3

Section

2 hours to complete

Chapter One: Why We Program (continued)

In the first chapter we try to cover the "big picture" of programming so you get a "table of contents" of the rest of the book. Don't worry if not everything makes perfect sense the first time you hear it. This chapter is quite broad and you would benefit from reading the chapter in the book in addition to watching the lectures to help it all sink in. You might want to come back and re-watch these lectures after you have funished a few more chapters....

4 videos (Total 37 min), 2 quizzes

4 videos

1.4 - Writing Paragraphs of Code16m

Demonstration: Doing the "Hello World" Assignment5m

Interview: Daphne Koller - Building Coursera11m

Face-to-Face Office Hours: Milan, Italy3m

1 practice exercises

Chapter 120m

4

Section

3 hours to complete

Chapter Two: Variables and Expressions

In this chapter we cover how a program uses the computer's memory to store, retrieve and calculate information....

6 videos (Total 56 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes

6 videos

2.1 - Expressions13m

2.2 - Expressions Part 220m

2.3 - Expressions - Part 37m

Worked Exercise: 2.37m

Interview: Pooja Sankar - Building Piazza6m

Office Hours: Mountain View, CA0m

1 readings

Where is the worked exercise for Assignment 2.2?10m

1 practice exercises

Chapter 220m

5

Section

3 hours to complete

Chapter Three: Conditional Code

In this section we move from sequential code that simply runs one line of code after another to conditional code where some steps are skipped. It is a very simple concept - but it is how computer software makes "choices"....

5 videos (Total 57 min), 3 quizzes

5 videos

3.1 Conditional Statements14m

3.2 More Conditional Statements17m

Worked Exercise: 3.29m

Interview: Massimo Banzi: The Arduino11m

Office Hours: Seoul Korea4m

1 practice exercises

Chapter 320m

6

Section

2 hours to complete

Chapter Four: Functions

This is a relatively short chapter. We will learn about what functions are and how we can use them. The programs in the first chapters of the book are not large enough to require us to develop functions, but as the book moves into more and more complex programs, functions will be an essential way for us to make sense of our code....

4 videos (Total 35 min), 2 quizzes

4 videos

4.1 - Using Functions9m

4.2 - Building Functions12m

Interview: Guido van Rossum: The Early Years of Python11m

Office Hours: Manila Philippines1m

1 practice exercises

Chapter 420m

7

Section

3 hours to complete

Chapter Five: Loops and Iteration

Loops and iteration complete our four basic programming patterns. Loops are the way we tell Python to do something over and over. Loops are the way we build programs that stay with a problem until the problem is solved....

7 videos (Total 64 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes

7 videos

5.1 - Loops and Iteration9m

5.2 - Definite Loops6m

5.3 - Finding the Largest Value8m

5.4 - Loop Idioms18m

Worked Exercise: 5.18m

Interview: Guido van Rossum - The Modern Era of Python12m

Office Hours: Paris, France0m

1 readings

Please Rate this Course on Class-Central10m

1 practice exercises

Chapter 520m

Instructor

Charles Severance

Associate Professor

About University of Michigan

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future....

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I pay for this course?
If you pay for this course, you will have access to all of the features and content you need to earn a Course Certificate. If you complete the course successfully, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. Note that the Course Certificate does not represent official academic credit from the partner institution offering the course.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
Yes! Coursera provides financial aid to learners who would like to complete a course but cannot afford the course fee. To apply for aid, select "Learn more and apply" in the Financial Aid section below the "Enroll" button. You'll be prompted to complete a simple application; no other paperwork is required.

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Python for Everybody Specialization