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.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
2 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
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...
- 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
This course is part of our professional development teacher programme for the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). Our nationally-recognised certificates cater for all levels of teaching.
Funded by the Department for Education and supporting partners, we aim to transform the way computing is taught in schools across England, and enable more young people to benefit from studying this important subject.
Endorsers and supporters
supported by
| Recommended | |||
Ways to learn | Upgrade this course | Unlimited | Basic access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $49 | $23.33/month Billed at $279.99 for a year | Free |
| Unlock your expertise | Endless possibilities! | Try before you upgrade | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Limited to 6 weeks |
| Access to ALL eligible short courses with additional benefits, for a year | cross | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Ways to learn
Buy Unlimited to access this course and hundreds of other short courses for a year or Upgrade just this course for extra benefits. Or, join with basic access.
Unlimited
$23.33/month
Billed at $279.99 for a year
Endless possibilities!
- Access to this course
- Access to ALL eligible short courses with additional benefits, for a year
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Upgrade this course
$49
Unlock your expertise
- All of the above* for this course only, plus a printed certificate when you’re eligible
*Excludes access to all eligible short courses with additional benefits for a year
Basic access
Free
Try before you buy
- Limited access to course content for 6 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Upgrades or Unlimited. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Upgrades or Unlimited.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps, but you can complete them as quickly or slowly as you like
- 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
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Learner reviews
Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
You can use the hashtag #RPiLearn to talk about this course on social media.
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Teaching and IT & Computer Science
