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Introduction to Python

Course

Every programmer needs to know Python, including those looking to work in rapidly-growing fields such as machine learning and A.I. During this course, you’ll learn the fundamentals you need to take the next step in your career.

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  • Estimated time
    1 month

  • Enroll by
    June 14, 2023

    Get access to classroom immediately on enrollment

  • Skills acquired
    NumPy, Pandas, Control Flow, Python Scripting
In collaboration with
  • Mode

What You Will Learn

  1. Introduction to Python

    1 month

    In this course, you’ll learn to represent and store data using Python data types and variables, and use conditionals and loops to control the flow of your programs. You’ll harness the power of complex data structures like lists, sets, dictionaries and tuples to store collections of related data. You’ll define and document your own custom functions, write scripts and handle errors. You will also learn to use two powerful Python libraries — Numpy, a scientific computing package, and Pandas, a data manipulation package.

    Prerequisite knowledge

    No Experience Required.

    1. Why Python Programming

      Gain an overview of what you’ll be learning and doing in the course and understand why you should learn programming with Python.

      • Data Types and Operators

        Learn to represent data using Python’s data types: integers, floats, booleans, strings, lists, tuples, sets, dictionaries, compound data structure. Perform computations and create logical statements using Python’s operators: Arithmetic, Assignment, Comparison, Logical, Membership, Identity. You'll also declare, assign, and reassign values using Python variables, modify values using built-in functions and methods, and practice whitespace and style guidelines.

        • Control Flow

          Write conditional expressions using if statements and boolean expressions to add decision making to your Python programs, and learn how to use for and while loops along with useful built-in functions to iterate over and manipulate lists, sets and dictionaries. Condense for loops to create lists efficiently with list comprehensions, and use skip iterations in loops using break and continue.

          • Functions

            Learn to define your own custom functions, create and reference variables using the appropriate scope, and add documentation to functions using docstrings. You'll also define lambda expressions to quickly create anonymous functions and use iterators and generators to create streams of data.

            • Scripting

              Learn to install Python 3 and set up your programming environment, and begin running and editing python scripts. You'll also identify and handle errors and exceptions in your code, open, read and write to files, and find and use modules in Python Standard Library and third-party libraries.

              • Numpy

                Create, access, modify, and sort multidimensional NumPy arrays (ndarrays), and use slicing, boolean indexing, and set operations to select or change subsets of an ndarray. Understand the difference between a view and a copy of ndarray, perform element-wise operations on ndarrays, and use broadcasting to perform operations on ndarrays of different sizes.

                • Pandas

                  Learn to create, access and modify the main objects in Pandas, Series and DataFrames, perform arithmetic operations on Series and DataFrames, load data into a DataFrame, and deal with Not a Number (NaN) values.

                  • Course Project: Explore US Bikeshare Data

                    You will use Python to answer interesting questions about bikeshare trip data collected from three US cities. You will write code to collect the data, compute descriptive statistics and create an interactive experience in the terminal that presents the answers to your questions.

                  All Our Courses Include

                  • Real-world projects from industry experts

                    With real-world projects and immersive content built in partnership with top-tier companies, you’ll master the tech skills companies want.

                  • Real-time support

                    On demand help. Receive instant help with your learning directly in the classroom. Stay on track and get unstuck.

                  • Workspaces

                    Validate your understanding of concepts learned by checking the output and quality of your code in real-time.

                  • Flexible learning program

                    Tailor a learning plan that fits your busy life. Learn at your own pace and reach your personal goals on the schedule that works best for you.

                  Course offerings

                  • Class content

                    • Real-world projects
                    • Project reviews
                    • Project feedback from experienced reviewers
                  • Student services

                    • Student community
                    • Real-time support

                  Succeed with personalized services.

                  We provide services customized for your needs at every step of your learning journey to ensure your success.

                  Get timely feedback on your projects.

                  • Personalized feedback
                  • Unlimited submissions and feedback loops
                  • Practical tips and industry best practices
                  • Additional suggested resources to improve
                  • 1,400+

                    project reviewers

                  • 2.7M

                    projects reviewed

                  • 88/100

                    reviewer rating

                  • 1.1 hours

                    avg project review turnaround time

                  Learn with the best.

                  Learn with the best.

                  • Josh Bernhard

                    Data Scientist at Nerd Wallet

                    Josh has been sharing his passion for data for nearly a decade at all levels of university, and as Lead Data Science Instructor at Galvanize. He's used data science for work ranging from cancer research to process automation.

                  • Derek Steer

                    CEO at Mode

                    Derek is the CEO of Mode Analytics. He developed an analytical foundation at Facebook and Yammer and is passionate about sharing it with future analysts. He authored SQL School and is a mentor at Insight Data Science.

                  • Juno Lee

                    Curriculum Lead at Udacity

                    Juno is the curriculum lead for the School of Data Science. She has been sharing her passion for data and teaching, building several courses at Udacity. As a data scientist, she built recommendation engines, computer vision and NLP models, and tools to analyze user behavior.

                  • Richard Kalehoff

                    Instructor

                    Richard is a Course Developer with a passion for teaching. He has a degree in computer science, and first worked for a nonprofit doing everything from front end web development, to backend programming, to database and server management.

                  • Karl Krueger

                    Command Line Instructor

                    Before joining Udacity, Karl was a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) at Google for eight years, building automation and monitoring to keep the world's busiest web services online.

                  Introduction to Python

                  Get started today

                    • Learn

                      The fundamentals of Python that every programmer needs to know.

                    • Average Time

                      On average, successful students take 1 month to complete this program.

                    • Benefits include

                      • Real-world projects from industry experts
                      • Real-time support

                    Program Details

                    • Do I need to apply? What are the admission criteria?

                      No. This Course accepts all applicants regardless of experience and specific background.

                    • What are the prerequisites for enrollment?

                      No prior experience is required, but it is recommended that students are comfortable with basic computer skills, such as managing files, using third-party online programs, and navigating the Internet through an online browser.

                    • How is this course structured?

                      The Introduction to Python course is comprised of content and curriculum to support one project. We estimate that students can complete the program in 1 month.

                      The project will be reviewed by the Udacity reviewer network and platform. Feedback will be provided and if you do not pass the project, you will be asked to resubmit the project until it passes.

                    • How long is this course?

                      Access to this course runs for the length of time specified in the payment card above. If you do not graduate within that time period, you will continue learning with month to month payments. See the Terms of Use and FAQs for other policies regarding the terms of access to our programs.

                    • Can I switch my start date? Can I get a refund?

                      Please see the Udacity Program Terms of Use and FAQs for policies on enrollment in our programs.

                    • What software and versions will I need for this program?

                      For this program, you will need a desktop or laptop computer running recent versions of Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux, and an unmetered broadband Internet connection. There are no additional hardware or software requirements for this program, other than those outlined on Udacity's general Technology Requirements page.

                    Introduction to Python

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