Syllabus

• Week 1

  Getting started with Python

  • Welcome to Python

    Explore the course, introduce yourself to your fellow learners, and learn how Python came into being and why it’s so important. You will also install and set up Python and write your first program in this activity.

  • Becoming a Python programmer

    Once you have taken your first steps in Python programming, learn more about how to become a high-performing developer in this activity.

  • Wrap-up

    So far this week, you’ve set yourself up for programming success. Now it’s time to join the Python community, which is a key step in your professional development. You’ll also reflect, share, and look ahead to Week 2.

• Week 2

  Python basics

  • Variables

    Variables are perhaps the most important element in programming. Learn how to create different types of variables and how to use them to process information in this activity.

  • Adding logic to programs

    A program doesn’t have to be entirely linear. You can write it to behave differently depending on conditions that you set. Learn how to use if, elif, and else statements to add branching structures in your code.

  • Functions

    When it comes to coding, efficiency and modularity are key objectives. Learn how functions make code more efficient and modular, and how to create your own in this activity.

  • Loops

    Sometimes, you need to do the same thing multiple times, but, luckily, you don’t need to write the same code over and over again. Learn how to automate repetitive actions in your Python programs using loops.

  • Wrap-up

    You’ve learned a lot this week! Now it’s time to consolidate and practise your new coding skills with a slightly more challenging activity. You’ll also reflect, share, and look ahead to Week 3.

• Week 3

  Improving your programs

  • Debugging

    Mistakes happen. Errors are inevitable. Fortunately, programmers have tools and techniques for systematically dealing with bugs. Learn about bugs and how to solve them in this activity.

  • Version control

    A big, complex Python project could be tricky to manage. How do you keep track of what you’re doing? Learn how programmers maintain software and collaborate using version control systems in this activity.

  • Wrap-up

    You’ve learned important concepts and refined your skills this week. Now practise what you’ve learned in this activity. You’ll also reflect, share, and look ahead to Week 4.

• Week 4

  Writing programs using classes and objects

  • Introducing object-oriented programming

    Object-oriented programming (OOP) is one of the core features of Python, and an important concept to grasp for modern programming in general. Learn the basic principles of OOP in this activity.

  • Using OOP

    Python implements OOP in very sophisticated, efficient ways. Learn how to use class and instance methods, and how to create child classes from parent classes in this activity.

  • Wrap-up

    You’ve mastered some important concepts and refined your skills this week. Now practise what you’ve learned in this activity. You’ll also reflect and share for the course as a whole.