Big Ideas in Programming: Expressing Yourself with Python (FutureLearn)

Big Ideas in Programming: Expressing Yourself with Python (FutureLearn)

Harness the power of Python and its programming concepts to express yourself and automate the work you do. Learn the Python basics you need to create the content and projects you want. Coding and programming allow better work performance, across diverse professions. If you want to discuss ideas with programming professionals or develop the code yourself, you need to know the basics.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Python is a powerful programming language, and mastering Python basics is the ideal way to understand and use programming concepts. With this exceptional four-week course from the University of Michigan, you can get started on doing just that.
Harness Python programming’s big ideas
The big ideas in programming are the building blocks that allow you to create large, interesting, and useful programs. Mastering these programming concepts (variables, loops, strings, conditionals, and functions) and data structures (lists, tuples, and dictionaries) in Python will allow you to really express yourself in the digital space.
Develop a wide array of Python skills
The creative coding/programming skills that you acquire in this Python course will allow you to design and produce personalised stories, filter and transform data, use code visualisers, generate art, predict program output, and write better code that works smarter, not harder.
You can expect plenty of interactive practice, engaging assignments, and immediate feedback. This allows you to check your understanding at every step of the way, giving you the chance to really develop your confidence and skill.
The best way to learn Python
Convened by Barbara Ericson, Assistant Professor in the University of Michigan’s School of Information, this course is the ideal way to master Python basics. With her expertise and innovative ideas, you’ll enjoy the learning experience as much as you benefit from it.

Syllabus

Week 1: Functions and Strings
Week 2: Conditionals and Lists
Week 3: Loops with Lists, Strings, and Conditionals
Week 4: Lists, Tuples, and Dictionaries

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Apply programming concepts to be expressive, such as creating a choose your own adventure story
  • Filter and transform data using the basic data structures in Python, such as removing words with less than three characters from a list
  • Experiment with the power of Python to accomplish more work with less code, such as using list comprehensions to sum only the even values in a list
  • Explore using a code visualizer to help them understand exactly what happens when code executes

Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning Python. Whether you want to discuss programming with other professionals, teaching others to code or use the language to do your own creative coding, this is the Python course for you!

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Data Visualisation with Python: Bokeh and Advanced Layouts (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
FutureLearn

Data Visualisation with Python: Bokeh and Advanced Layouts (FutureLearn)

Elevate your data visualisation skills and better communicate your data insights with the data visualisation package, Bokeh. Learn how to use Bokeh in Python. On the first week of the course, you’ll explore the key functions of Bokeh and how it can be used to create interactive visualisations and dashboards.

May 30th 2022
4 Weeks
Programming Essentials with Python: Cloud Technology and SaaS (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
FutureLearn

Programming Essentials with Python: Cloud Technology and SaaS (FutureLearn)

Launch your career in programming with this course on the fundamentals of Python and other programming languages. Develop your knowledge of cloud infrastructure and cloud technologies. What’s powering the architecture of cloud computing, and how does it rely on Python programming? Take a deep dive into the cloud and look at different types of cloud architecture and learn to articulate the benefits, challenges, and opportunities they offer.

May 23rd 2022
4 Weeks
Start a CoderDojo (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation

Start a CoderDojo (FutureLearn)

Get support and advice on how to grow your confidence in coding and start a CoderDojo for young people in your area. In today’s world, technology is everywhere, so it’s never been more important to know how to code. It’s easier to learn these skills early on in life, which is why coding is a great subject for young people to learn.

May 30th 2022
3 Weeks
Teaching Physical Computing with Raspberry Pi and Python (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation

Teaching Physical Computing with Raspberry Pi and Python (FutureLearn)

Explore the exciting world of physical computing and create electronic circuits that you can control with code. Learn the benefits of using physical computing with your students. On this course from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, you will be introduced to the world of physical computing. You will use input devices to capture data, process that data with the Python programming language, and then use output devices to get information back out from your computer.

Mar 6th 2023
3 Weeks
Programming Applications with Python: Working with Files (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
FutureLearn

Programming Applications with Python: Working with Files (FutureLearn)

Discover how to read and create files and directories in Python, and how Python is used for data collection and exploration. Learn how to use Python create applications. On this course, you’ll start to develop the knowledge and skills needed to successfully launch a career in programming or software development, learning how to program applications using Python. You’ll study alongside industry experts at Github, giving you the confidence and competitive advantage to work in or manage development teams.

May 23rd 2022
4 Weeks
Object-oriented Programming in Python: Create Your Own Adventure Game (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Object-oriented Programming in Python: Create Your Own Adventure Game (FutureLearn)

Learn object-oriented programming principles by creating your own text-based adventure game in Python. Object-oriented programming is a programming paradigm based on objects and data rather than actions and logic. This online course will introduce you to the principles of object-oriented programming in Python, showing you how to create objects, functions, methods, and classes.

Jan 2nd 2023
4 Weeks
Introduction to Data Analytics with Python (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
FutureLearn

Introduction to Data Analytics with Python (FutureLearn)

Learn the fundamentals of using Python for data analysis and develop skills in two of Python’s core libraries, Pandas and Seaborn. Build your data analytics toolkit with Python. We are in the era of ‘big data’. According to a Forbes article published in 2018, around 2.5 quintillion bytes of data were being generated each day globally. On this four-week course, created in collaboration with Tableau, you’ll gain a foundational knowledge of data science for business applications, acting as a launchpad to help you become a successful data scientist.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Programming Applications with Python: Libraries and Web Scraping (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
FutureLearn

Programming Applications with Python: Libraries and Web Scraping (FutureLearn)

Consider applications for APIs and Python, and explore the purpose of web scraping. Examine Python libraries for web development. This course will introduce you to the popular Requests library in Python. You’ll study how to install the Requests library and get to know how it works. Learning via videos, interactive exercises, and quizzes, you’ll also explore what HTTP requests are and what each of the status codes in HTTP mean.

May 23rd 2022
4 Weeks
Begin Programming: Build Your First Mobile Game (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Reading

Begin Programming: Build Your First Mobile Game (FutureLearn)

Learn basic Java programming by developing a mobile game that you can run on your computer, Android phone or tablet. Take your first steps into the world of computer programming and learn how to build your own mobile game in just five weeks. You’ll be introduced to the basic constructs and the principles behind computer programs, as well as the building blocks that are used to create them.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Get ready for a Masters in Data Science and AI (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

Get ready for a Masters in Data Science and AI (FutureLearn)

Identify whether you’re ready for Master’s study, improve your data science skills, and get to grips with the basics of Python. Get a taste of life as a Data Science and AI Master's student. On this course, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the disciplines involved in a Master’s degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Apr 17th 2023
2 Weeks