Programming 102: Think Like a Computer Scientist
Take your Python skills further in this online course, guided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and supported by Google.
- Duration4 weeks
- Weekly study2 hours
Programming 102: Think Like a Computer Scientist
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Find out what else you can do with Python
On this course, you’ll explore Python programming at an intermediate level.
You’ll discover how to break down problems into smaller parts, and then design and apply algorithms to data. You’ll also explore list structures and their various uses.
Ultimately, what you learn will build upon your foundational Python skills - preparing you to progress onto more advanced programming.
Syllabus
Week 1
Function as units of code
About this course
Learn more about what you'll be learning over the course, and meet our educators and the other participants who will accompany you.
Preparing to learn
This course assumes some Python knowledge, so in this activity we'll check that this course is suitable for you. We'll also make sure your programming environment is set up, and introduce comments in code.
Functions with parameters and returns
Learn how to use functions with parameters (inputs) and return values (outputs).
Teaching functions
Expand your understanding of functions and how to teach them
Week review
Look back over what you've learnt this week.
Week 2
Algorithms, lists & counting
Algorithms
Explore algorithms, what they are for and how we represent them.
Lists
Learn about ways to create and manipulate list and string data structures.
Algorithms and counting
Computers need to be told how to count, so what does that algorithm look like?
Recap of week 2
A summary of week 2 and looking forward to week 3.
Week 3
Sorting
Welcome to week 3
An introduction to the topic of the week: sorting.
Bubble Sort
Learn about and implement a bubble sort - one of many possible sorting algorithms.
Insertion Sort
Meet the second of the sorting algorithms - insertion sort - and have a go at coding one for yourself.
Merge Sort
Exploring another sorting algorithm - merge sort.
Week 3 recap
Reviewing your learning from the week.
Week 4
Searching
Welcome to week 4
An introduction to the week, as well as a chance to reflect on the course so far.
Linear Search
Explore and implement a linear search algorithm.
Binary Search
Explore binary search, another search algorithm, and implement it too.
Embedding your learning by teaching
Check your learning by creating a lesson plan, and reviewing material from the course.
End of the Course
Congratulations on completing the course!
Who is this accredited by?
The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Produce your own functions to break down problems into more manageable parts
- Apply several common search and sort algorithms to data
- Compare the efficiency of algorithms
- Modify functions to take parameters and output return values
- Interpret algorithms expressed in plain English, in pseudocde and as flowcharts
Who is the course for?
This course would suit teachers with some Python experience, who are able to write simple programs demonstrating sequencing, selection, iteration and data types.
What software or tools do you need?
To take part in this course you’ll need to download Python, or use an online IDE.
What do people say about this course?
Also challenges you to implement these concepts with your students.
"A great course that not only shows you the concepts but also challenges you to implement these concepts with your students. Thank you so much."
Who will you learn with?
James is an experienced Computer Science teacher who runs the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s teacher training Programme called Picademy. He still plays with LEGO and drinks lots of tea.
Laura creates and maintains Raspberry Pi educational resources. Aside from computers, she loves cats, cakes, board games and making jam.
Michael helps produce courses on FutureLearn for the Raspberry Pi Foundation. In his spare time he enjoys walking and performing stand-up comedy.
Who developed the course?
Raspberry Pi Foundation
The Raspberry Pi Foundation works to put the power of digital making into the hands of people all over the world, so they are capable of understanding and shaping our increasingly digital world.
National Centre for Computing Education
National Centre for Computing Education courses
Supporters
supported by
Learning on FutureLearn
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- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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Join this course
Free
Join free and you will get:
- Access to this course for 6 weeks
Upgrade
Upgrade this course and you will get:
- Access to this course for as long as it’s on FutureLearn
- A print and digital Certificate of Achievement once you’re eligible
Unlimited
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- Access to this course, and hundreds of other FutureLearn short courses and tests for a year
- A printable digital Certificate of Achievement on all short courses once you’re eligible
- The freedom to keep access to any course you've achieved a digital Certificate of Achievement on, for as long as the course exists on FutureLearn
- The flexibility to complete your choice of short courses in your own time within the year
Find out more about upgrades or Unlimited.
Available until 19 April 2021 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
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