Programming for Data Science

Programming for Data Science

Instructors: Dr Jonathan Ward

What you'll learn

Open Jupyter Notebook and use it to run Python code.
Identify Python operators, data types and containers.
Program control structures in Python, such as if statements and for and while loops.
Write Python functions that take input and return output.

Details to know

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Assessments

3 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 3 modules in this course

Explore the basics of programming and familiarise yourself with the Python language. After completing this course, you will be able to write Python programs in Jupyter Notebook and describe basic programming.

In this course, you will learn everything you need to start your programming journey. You will discover the different data types available in Python and how to use them, learn how to apply conditional and looping control structures, and write your own functions. This course provides detailed descriptions of new concepts and background information for additional context. The quizzes available will help you to develop your understanding. You will also complete exercises using Jupyter Notebook on your computer. By using Jupyter Notebook, you will be able to combine your notes with useful examples so that you develop the resources you need to program independently in the future. This course is a taster of the Online MSc in Data Science (Statistics) but it can be completed by learners who want an introduction to programming and explore the basics of Python.

This module introduces Python and Jupyter Notebook, as well as the concepts of variables, assignment and basic mathematical operators.

What's included

5 videos8 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 ungraded lab

5 videosTotal 20 minutes

Welcome to Programming for Data Science1 minutePreview module
Learning to program3 minutes
Introduction to Python4 minutes
Introduction to Jupyter Notebook5 minutes
Python as a Calculator5 minutes

8 readingsTotal 26 minutes

About this Course2 minutes
How to study on this course4 minutes
Program Development Environments5 minutes
Setting up Anaconda3 minutes
Variables and assignment3 minutes
Operators, functions and methods5 minutes
The math module3 minutes
Module 1 Summary1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes

Variable Assignment and Mathematical Operators15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 15 minutes

Module 1 Reflection15 minutes

1 ungraded labTotal 10 minutes

A first look at Jupyter Notebook10 minutes

This module introduces the fundamental data types in Python, namely numbers, strings, Booleans and None. It also introduces structured data types, including lists, tuples, sets, dictionaries and classes.

What's included

2 videos18 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 ungraded lab

2 videosTotal 6 minutes

Overview of Basic data Types in Python5 minutesPreview module
Introduction to Structured data Types in Python1 minute

18 readingsTotal 75 minutes

Int, Float and Complex5 minutes
Mathematical Operators8 minutes
Numerical Comparisons2 minutes
Methods for int and float2 minutes
Introduction to Strings4 minutes
Indices and Slices2 minutes
String Comparisons and Methods5 minutes
f-strings15 minutes
Booleans1 minute
Comparisons2 minutes
Boolean Operators10 minutes
NoneType1 minute
Lists, Tuples and Sets10 minutes
Dictionaries2 minutes
Classes and Objects1 minute
Variable Types2 minutes
From Binary Digits to Complex Data Types2 minutes
Module 2 Summary1 minute

1 assignmentTotal 15 minutes

Basic and Structured Data Types15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 15 minutes

Module 2 Reflection15 minutes

1 ungraded labTotal 60 minutes

Module 2 Exercise Solutions60 minutes

What's included

2 videos16 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 ungraded lab

2 videosTotal 4 minutes

Introduction to Control Structures2 minutesPreview module
Introduction to Functions2 minutes

16 readingsTotal 114 minutes

The If Statement10 minutes
The Elif Statement10 minutes
The Else Statement10 minutes
Nested Conditionals10 minutes
For Loops10 minutes
While Loops10 minutes
Nested Loops10 minutes
List Comprehension5 minutes
Defining a Function2 minutes
Calling a Function3 minutes
Exiting a Function15 minutes
Parameters5 minutes
Side Effects1 minute
Docstrings and Function Annotations2 minutes
Module 3 Summary1 minute
Future Steps10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 60 minutes

Conditionals, loops and functions60 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 15 minutes

Module 3 Reflection15 minutes

1 ungraded labTotal 60 minutes

Module 3 Exercise Solutions60 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

5.0 (6 ratings)

Dr Jonathan Ward

University of Leeds

2 Courses3,515 learners

Offered by

University of Leeds

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4.3

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Reviewed on Nov 13, 2023

Concise and good introductory course for anyone that might not be too familiar with Python. Quite easy for non-beginners, but that wasn't the target demographic anyway.

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2024

Good "taster" course... no technical/grading issues, very polished.

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