Python Programming Fundamentals

Python Programming Fundamentals

This course is part of Programming for Python Data Science: Principles to Practice Specialization

Instructors: Andrew D. Hilton

What you'll learn

Utilize a Logical Seven Step framework to create algorithms and programs
Create useful test cases and efficiently debug Python code.
Master Python basics (conditionals, loops, mathematical operators, data types)
Develop a Python Program from scratch to solve a given data science problem.

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Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Programming for Python Data Science: Principles to Practice Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

This introductory course is designed for beginners and individuals with limited programming experience who want to embark on their software development or data science journey using Python. Throughout the course, learners will gain a solid understanding of algorithmic thinking, Python syntax, code testing, debugging techniques, and modular code development--essential skills for a successful career in software engineering, development, or data science.

By the end of this course, you will learn to: - Gain a stepwise approach to problem-solving using algorithms and programming logic. - Apply common functions, conditional statements, and loops to build Python scripts and programs. - Work with the VS Code programming environment to enhance coding proficiency. - Use testing and debugging strategies to ensure code reliability. - Perform logical and mathematical operations on datasets. In the final week of the course you will apply your new algorithm design and programming skills to a data analysis problem: analyzing heart rate data.

This module, you will learn best practices for developing code in any language by beginning with an algorithm: a stepwise approach to solving a problem. You’ll then apply the concepts by developing your own algorithms and properly identifying when to use specific data types in Python.

What's included

9 videos9 readings3 assignments

9 videosTotal 37 minutes

Introduction to Python Programming Fundamentals 3 minutesPreview module
Stepping Through an Algorithm4 minutes
Testing an Algorithm for a Numerical Sequence2 minutes
A Pattern of Squares4 minutes
Testing a Pattern of Squares2 minutes
Drawing a Rectangle3 minutes
Closest Point5 minutes
Generalizing Closest Point5 minutes
Everything is a Number5 minutes

9 readingsTotal 90 minutes

Plan First, Then Code10 minutes
Overview of the 7 Steps10 minutes
Algorithms10 minutes
Step 1: Work an Example Yourself10 minutes
Step 2: Write Down What You Just Did10 minutes
Step 3: Generalize Your Steps10 minutes
Step 4: Test Your Algorithm10 minutes
Intro to a Pattern of Squares10 minutes
Non-Numbers10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 75 minutes

Algorithm Design30 minutes
Numbers and Types Quiz15 minutes
Algorithms Quiz30 minutes

This Module, you will learn how to take the logical process of algorithm design and translate an algorithm into functional Python code. You will apply this by correctly identifying proper Python syntax for a given algorithm, and then subsequently by creating your own Python program for a given algorithm.

What's included

13 videos8 readings5 assignments4 programming assignments

13 videosTotal 58 minutes

Semantics: What Does Code Mean?1 minutePreview module
Variables and Expressions3 minutes
Functions4 minutes
Printing4 minutes
Conditional Statements3 minutes
Loops5 minutes
Revisiting Intersection of Two Rectangles4 minutes
Planning isPrime3 minutes
Generalizing isPrime5 minutes
Translating isPrime to Code3 minutes
Tuples7 minutes
Why VS Code3 minutes
Intro Lab6 minutes

8 readingsTotal 95 minutes

First Four Steps Revisited20 minutes
Translating Algorithms to Code10 minutes
Ending Blocks with Pass10 minutes
Top Down Design and Composability10 minutes
Stars Example10 minutes
Introduction to VS Code15 minutes
How to Reset Lab Files10 minutes
Retirement Calculations10 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Read Function 130 minutes
Reviewing the First four Steps of Algorithm Design30 minutes
Translating an Algorithm to Code30 minutes
Understanding Retirement30 minutes
Reading Code Assignments30 minutes

4 programming assignmentsTotal 180 minutes

Max25 minutes
Triangle35 minutes
Retirement100 minutes
Intro To Coursera Lab Programming Assignments20 minutes

This module, you will learn different approaches to testing Python code, and methods for debugging code. You will apply this by conducting a code review, identifying opportunities to use asserts to debug code, and generating your own test cases.

What's included

6 videos8 readings3 assignments

6 videosTotal 27 minutes

Testing Means Finding Bugs2 minutesPreview module
Test-Driven Approaches6 minutes
Test-Driven Development2 minutes
Code Review2 minutes
Debugging: The Scientific Method6 minutes
Debugging: Hypotheses7 minutes

8 readingsTotal 85 minutes

Black Box Testing10 minutes
White Box Testing10 minutes
Creating Test Cases10 minutes
Asserts10 minutes
Code Review10 minutes
Introduction to Debugging Tools10 minutes
Principles and Tools for Debugging15 minutes
Debugging Python in VS Code10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Tests countMostCommon30 minutes
Testing Code30 minutes
Tests Prime30 minutes

This module, you will learn how to filter and perform operations (logical and mathematical) across a given dataset, and how to create modular code that can be used in discrete pieces. You will apply this by writing your own functions to identify a list item with a given property, and writing a program to calculate a set of conclusions from a given dataset.