Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming

Overview

This course starts from the beginning, covering the basics of how a computer interprets lines of code; how to write programs, evaluate their output, and revise the code itself; how to work with variables and their changing values; and how to use mathematical, boolean, and relational operators.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to write small programs in Python that use variables, mathematical operators, and logical operators. For example, you could write programs that carry out complex mathematical operations, like calculating the interest rate necessary to reach a savings goal, recommending apparel options based on weather patterns, or calculating a grade based on multiple percentages.

Structurally, the course is comprised of several parts. Instruction is delivered via a series of short (2-3 minute) videos. In between those videos, you'll complete both multiple choice questions and coding problems to demonstrate your knowledge of the material that was just covered.

Syllabus

Chapter 1: Computing. The fundamentals of how computers work, what program code is, and how to get setup for the rest of the course.

Chapter 2: Programming. The basic principles of computer programming: writing and running code, evaluating results, and compiling vs. executing.

Chapter 3: Debugging. The common results of running program code, and how to use those results to inform revision of your code.

Chapter 4: Procedural Programming. The fundamental approach to program code: writing sequences of lines of code that run in order to accomplish an objective.

Chapter 5: Variables. Creating and modifying variables, tracing how their values may change as a program runs, and understanding the role of data types.

Chapter 6: Logical Operators. Working with relational (greater than, less than, equal to) and logical (and, or, not) operators to make decisions in code.

Chapter 7: Mathematical Operators. Adding addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, modulus, and exponents to your code, and seeing how they work with unexpected data types.

Taught by

David Joyner

Reviews for edX's Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming

4.8 Based on 37 reviews

5 stars 81%
4 stars 16%
3 star 3%
2 star 0%
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Reviews for edX's Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming
4.8 Based on 37 reviews

Anonymous

5.0 2 months ago

Anonymous completed this course.

This course does a great job of breaking down topics into smaller concepts so you can absorb them as you go. I also appreciate the questions sprinkled throughout the videos and the smartbook. The programming challenges are great because it gives you multiple tries to figure it out, though the error messages are not always enough. There were a few times I used a separate REPL to identify the typo or other minor issue. I'll be starting the next course next week!

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Wim L

5.0 6 months ago

by Wim completed this course, spending 35 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be easy.

I have programmed - without taking any course - in Python 2.x more than 10 years ago (and I forgot most of it). I am interested in data science and was looking for a Python course as a first step up. I was also looking at an introductory programming course suitable for my kids; Python is perfect for that.

I have followed all 4 "Computing in Python"- courses, and I feel ready now to take on more advanced Python courses or books.

Each course is divided in 4 chapters, each chapter ends with an "exam", the course ends with a final exam. Each course took about a week to …

5.0 4 months ago

I took this course on the audited track so did not have access to the full practice problems nor final proctored test. I found the material very well explained, clear and easy to follow. I enjoyed the class very much and found it a very good intro into computing and python.

My only points for improvement would be to have more code writing exercises to do as these were the most interesting and meant we were really practicing.

I really enjoyed this class - the use of the interactive textbook, coding challenges, and multiple-choice quizzes were perfect. I'm also a big fan of how Georgia Tech does not do terribly long video instruction - they break it up into bite-sized chunks of information that make it easier to consume information and stay engaged with the material. Highly recommend the class and look forward to taking more in the Python CS1301 series.

5.0 3 months ago

I am a super beginner at coding. This made me want to pull my hair out at times, but like boolean logic puzzles, keeping at it paid off. I have no real coding support network to fall back on, but I figured things out eventually, occasionally searching the web for answers on specific tasks, such as how to turn a single digit number into a double digit by adding zeros in front. Downloading the book and running it through an application to add a table of contents to the book was really helpful. I tried a couple of different methods of answering the online book questions, but ultimately ran thro…

5.0 7 months ago

The combination of instruction via videos and reading, partnered with many assessments along the way help this course stand above many others that teach the same or similar content. Great Class!

5.0 5 months ago

I took this course on edX as someone almost completely new to programming languages. I've learn basic C++ and HTML around 8 years ago, but I've forgotten all of it. The progress of the course is very comfortable and is really helpful to set a good foundation for new programmers. The practices along the way also helps solidify concepts that they teach. I am looking forward to subsequent python courses! For someone who is working part-time, just an hour everyday is sufficient to complete this course in a few weeks. For people who can commit a couple days, I believe 4 days would be enough to cover the entire course.

Danica S

4.0 5 months ago

by Danica completed this course.

If you have any programming background this is a pretty easy course to move through. While I've never used python before, I currently use SQL on a regular basis for work. Because of this, I already understood many of the core principals of programming, so it was a matter of me learning how to apply it using python. Would definitely recommend this course for those looking to get their feet wet in python. Even without any programming experience, I feel the way in which the content is explained makes learning the tool pretty accessible.

I began this course with programming experience in JavaScript. While a lot of the concepts were the same, it was really nice reviewing them in such an accessible format. The videos were clear with well thought-out analogies and the textbook really allows you to skim and answer questions at your own pace. This course is great for beginners or those interested in learning Python syntax. I'm looking forward to taking the remaining courses.

Neville C

Neville completed this course, spending 4 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be very easy.

This is a very easy way to learn how to program using Python. This is not a crash course for learning Python. This is a very good introduction to programming. I tried several times to learn Python and failed because many programmer like "the hard way", which may be good if you already know how to program. I highly recommend this series from David Joyner and Georgia Tech. It is well explained and have good exercises.

This course taught me important fundamental programming concepts in Python.

I feel quite accomplished having completed it!

I'm excited to begin the next course in this series and I know these skills will help me achieve my future goals and develop my computer science abilities!

Thanks to all who helped develop these courses, offering such valuable resources in an open, accessible, and affordable platform!

4.0 2 weeks ago

Great learning but once you get the coding problems your expected to code some advance problems. Also the proctor is frustrating. Upon contacting for help, a technician advised to open another browser because the exam was there. Of course after doing everything still flagged for suspicious activity and given a zero on the exam(although I completed it). So just be advised.

Excellent content and presentation. The only problem I had was the class "engine" several times the system did not keep track of where I left off after a given session. I started tracking where I left off so I could manually restart in the correct place if the system misplaced me. Other than that, I'll be starting the next class tomorrow!

5.0 yesterday

It was a great experience - It is really well structured and very well suited for anyone who just starting computing. Although I was just auditing the course it was a great help to me and many of the concepts that would otherwise would have been challenging were made easier to grasp even for the beginners.

The class is great for very beginners or people who never had any programming experience. I ended up scanning thru, but Dr. Joyner does an awesome job explaining the concept in a very simple way and with reasonable examples. Moving to the next class level with huge doze of impatience.

5.0 2 weeks ago

Great intro course; teaches both the theory and the implementation. Interaction between the text, review questions, lectures, problems, and code samples is excellent. I had never seen Python before and hadn't coded in years, but picked it up very quickly as a result of the course structure.

4.0 3 months ago

The course is aim at those that have little to no experience with programming.

I did the first module of in the series over a period of 5 weeks by setting aside 10hours per week.

The course is taught well. There are abundant examples and the videos are short and to the point.

5.0 a month ago

The course is very well structured and well paced, the videos are clear and complete, and the exercises are interesting and helpful. The teacher is great, talks clearly and knows his stuff (duh).

I loved the course and am looking forward to taking part 2.

Some coding problems at the end of the lessons are a bit confusing. As the instructions have not been given on how to solve such problems. For example - the problems for calculating the difference between given time.

Course was fantastic for the beginners like me who don't have any prior knowledge of programming. It starts from the very basic understanding and concepts and takes you to the simple problems in the real programming world.

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Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming

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Reviews for edX's Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming
4.8 Based on 37 reviews

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Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming

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