About this course: 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 Informatics”. This course is equivalent to the first half of the 11-week "Programming for Everybody (Python)" course. Once a student completes this course, they will be ready to take more advanced programming courses. This course covers Python 3.
Created by: University of Michigan
Taught by: Charles Severance, Associate Professor
School of Information
| Basic Info |
Course 1 of 5 in the
Python for Everybody Specialization.
|
| Commitment | 2-4 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Chinese (Simplified) |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
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 c...
7 videos, 9 readings
WEEK 2
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.
9 videos, 1 reading
WEEK 3
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 ...
5 videos
Graded: Chapter 1
Graded: Assignment: Write Hello World
WEEK 4
Chapter Two: Variables and Expressions
In this chapter we cover how a program uses the computer's memory to store, retrieve and calculate information.
5 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Chapter 2
Graded: Assignment 2.2
Graded: Assignment: 2.3
WEEK 5
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".
6 videos
Graded: Chapter 3
Graded: Assignment: 3.1
Graded: Assignment: 3.3
WEEK 6
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 pro...
3 videos
Graded: Chapter 4
Graded: Assignment: 4.6
WEEK 7
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.
6 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Chapter 5
Graded: Assignment: 5.2
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
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Creators
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.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Great course, with great supporting material. The interactive book along with the video lessons are truly wonderful. The book goes into great detail and the video lessons act as reinforcements of what you learned. The teacher is fun and engaging. 10/10
Good for beginners. Extremely slow for individuals from programming background.
Great Explanation. Even a non programmer could easily follow this course.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Dr Chuck made it very interesting. Looking forward to complete the next part :)
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RV
Best part of the lecture was when I got to see Severus Snape!