This course introduces learners to the fundamentals of Python, while focusing on skills and applications relevant to research. It is aimed at learners who have no previous experience of Python. It covers basic constructs of Python such as variables, functions, loops, conditionals, and exceptions. It focuses on best practice and introduces Visual Studio Code and test-driven development to promote the use of best-practice approaches and tools.
Syllabus:
The course covers:
- Basic arithmetic
- Variables
- Functions
- Using VS Code
- Running tests
- Comparisons and Boolean operators
- If-blocks
- Lists
- Strings
- Loops
- Code organisation
- Importing modules
- Jupyter Notebooks
- Exceptions
The course is hosted on Coursera and may be completed at your own pace across multiple sittings. Your progress will be saved. The course includes written descriptions, videos, interactive code examples, and exercises to complete inside a VS Code environment. The course includes discussions or underlying principles and best practices to help you become a well-rounded programmer. At the end of the course, you will be ready to start writing your first simple Python codes for research.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing this course, you will be better able to:
- Run Python code in .py files and Jupyter Notebooks
- Apply fundamental components of the Python language including variables, loops, conditionals and functions
- Create programs designed to solve simple problems
- Interpret common errors and use these to help debug a program
Coursera Enrolment Information:
Introduction to Python for Researchers, developed by the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) in partnership with the Institute of Extended Learning (IEL) is an online course available to Imperial students and staff, for free, through Coursera.
To access the course, you will need to set up an account with Coursera using your Imperial email address. If you already have a Coursera account with a different email address, you will still need to set up a Coursera account using your Imperial email address to access the free and correct version of the course. Please click on the following link and follow the instructions to set up your Imperial Coursera account: Coursera account set up.
Once you have set up a Coursera account using your Imperial email. You can enrol on the course following this link.
Important: For research degree students (PhD, MPhil, MD[Res] and EngD)
This course counts as one Early Career Researcher Institute Credit. If you successfully complete this course, you must upload your completion certificate via the form at the end of the course and follow the instructions to add the course to your Inkpath profile. This will ensure that your record of completion is recorded as part of your research degree milestone professional skills attendance requirement.
If you have any queries or require any support, please contact: ecri@imperial.ac.uk