Introduction to Python Programming

This online Introduction to Python Programming course is designed for students, academics, and practitioners interested in learning how to write programs using the Python programming language. The course targets “beginner” Python programmers who have little or no previous Python programming experience. It is not necessary to have any prior programming experience in another computer language, although that is helpful. The course is taught in an online, “hands-on” format using a current version of Python in conjunction with the IDLE interactive shell (sometimes called an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)). Participants have a full view of my computer screen as I instruct and develop Python code on my computer.

This is an asynchronous, online, self-paced course consisting of six consecutive sessions, each covering a different topic and each lasting approximately 2 1/3 hours. Participants are provided permanent visual access to all video recordings (hosted on an unlisted YouTube channel), all of the downloadable Python code ("script") that is demonstrated, all example Python programs, and solutions to the weekly Python exercises. All audio and video desktop sessions have been recorded in high-quality (.mpeg) files, which are currently hosted on YouTube.

The registration fee (Full-time students is USD $55.20; All others is USD $81.87 plus sales tax if applicable in your physical location) includes permanent, asynchronous online access to all materials and 53 videos constituting six live class sessions, all Python code (“script”) that we create and demonstrate in class, all of the example Python programs, and all solutions to the weekly Python exercises. There is nothing else that you need to buy to have your own complete record of the course including all course materials, Python scripts and programs, exercises and solutions. You can always “refresh” using the provided recordings and materials and/or use these to “brush up” later.

PLEASE NOTE: Shortly after you register, you will be provided access to all course materials. It will not be necessary to wait until January 1 to begin "taking" the online course.

ALSO INCLUDED and to assist you further, included in your registration fee is permanent access to these 24 additional research methods courses on R programming, PLS-SEM and data analytics authored by Dr. Hubona at no additional cost: https://tinyurl.com/349z72wm

Presented in the agenda is the outline of the six course topics. Each of the six weekly sessions will cover one topic with 8 or 9 videos of approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes in length. Each class session will include numerous sample Python programs and one major exercise for you to practice with before the subsequent weekly class session. There is a sample video lesson at the bottom of this page.

Here is the Session-by-Session Agenda for the Introduction to Python Online Course:

1. Introduction to Python

a. What is Python?

b. How to use IDLE to create programs

c. Coding statements, comments, and functions

d. Naming and assigning values to variables

e. Exercise #1

2. Writing your first programs

a. Working with numeric data

b. Working with string data

c. Using Python-native functions

d. Example programs

e. Exercise #2

3. Control statements

a. Boolean expressions

b. Selection: If statements

c. Iteration: While and For statements

d. Example programs

e. Exercise #3

4. Defining functions and using modules

a. Defining a function

b. The main() function

c. Arguments: default values and named arguments

d. Using local and global variables

e. Importing modules

f. Example programs

g. Exercise #4

5. Working with Lists and Tuples

a. Creating and modifying Lists

b. Working with Tuples

c. Example programs

d. Exercise #5

6. Working with Dictionary Data Structures

a. The syntax of dictionaries

b. Dictionary methods

c. Dictionary constructors

d. Complex dictionary data structures

e. Example programs