Online ExpertTrack in IT & Computer Science

Programming Essentials with Python

Become a programming expert with this introductory Python course, covering cloud technology, data visualisation and source code.

Created by

FutureLearnFutureLearn

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In collaboration with

GitHubGitHub

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Endorsed by

Coventry UniversityCoventry University

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Level up your knowledge of the Python language and other programming essentials

What’s behind the back-end of some of the world’s biggest online companies?

This ExpertTrack will introduce you to the power of programming. You’ll leverage your knowledge of programming by learning the essentials of Python, one of the most easy to use – and most widely used – computer programming languages.

Learn Python programming for beginners

Across three course parts, you’ll explore:

  • the role of the programmer: what is Python used for
  • types of cloud computing, and how the cloud works
  • how to use source code
  • object-oriented programming in Python
  • the role of the solutions architect
  • IaaS (Infrastructure as a service), Saas (software as a service) and FaaS (function as a service) infrastructures
  • data visualisation with Seaborn and Matplotlib

Understand how to use source code in programming

This ExpertTrack will teach you everything required to understand how coding works.

You’ll explore the types of errors that can occur, and find out how to troubleshoot and fix them. You’ll learn about code flows, including loops and conditions, along with sequential, conditional and branching code flows.

And you’ll gain an understanding in variables and data types, symbols and operators, plus keywords and identifiers.

How IaaS, SaaS and FaaS cloud architecture works

As you explore the principles of the Cloud and how it came into being, you’ll identify the major players in cloud computing today.

You’ll gain a greater understanding of the Cloud’s importance and impact on business and the wider world, and analyse the benefits, issues, and opportunities that cloud computing presents.

You’ll also look at various deployment models of cloud computing: IaaS (Infrastructure as a service), Saas (software as a service) and FaaS (function as a service).

Seaborn and Matplotlib unlocked: Python data visualisation techniques

Seaborn and Matplotlib are high-level plotting and data-visualisation libraries that allow you to create quality 2D charts and statistical graphics in Python.

You’ll learn how to use these powerful visualisation tools by exploring their objects and architecture, and learning how to customise plots.

Upon completion of this ExpertTrack, you’ll have the skills and confidence to discuss Python applications with tech teams, complete simple actions using Python, and articulate the basics of programming.

Industry statistics

  • Median base salary

    £35,000
  • UK job openings/month

    1,841

Key skills you will learn

  • Programming
  • Python
  • Solutions architecture
  • Cloud computing
  • Cloud architecture
  • Visualisation
  • Data visualisation
  • Source code
  • Object-oriented programming

Learning outcomes

By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...

  • Articulate the basics of programming
  • Define and differentiate between the various types of cloud architecture
  • Identify the basics of Python for programming
  • Define object-oriented programming
  • Identify key components of visualising using Python and tools that can be leveraged

Experience required

This ExpertTrack will teach you the fundamentals of programming, as well as the basics of programming in Python. It focuses on developing the knowledge and skills professionals need to successfully start a career in programming or software development.

There are no formal academic requirements for joining this ExpertTrack.

On this ExpertTrack we’ll be using Python. We recommend you use a computer to access these elements.

Getting started

This course is aimed at professionals looking to build confidence in Python and better understand its programming tasks.

It’s particularly well-suited to career-changers seeking an entry-level programming role, established technology professionals looking to level up their understanding of Python, and tech team leaders who wish to increase their understanding of key concepts to more effectively manage development teams.

ExpertTrack course overview

  • Course 1

    Discover how Python programming and other computer languages can be used to kickstart your career as a programming expert.

    1 test

    4 weeks

    4 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Introduction to programming
      • Welcome to the course!
      • What is programming?
      • Python overview
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 2

      Basics of programming
      • Introduction
      • Source code
      • Debugging
      • Coding flows overview
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 3

      Introduction to solutions architecture
      • Introduction
      • What is solutions architecture?
      • Effective solutions architecture
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 4

      Landscape and context of solutions architecture
      • Introduction
      • Solutions architecture, challenges, risks, and opportunities
      • Solutions architecture landscape
      • Understanding machine and deep learning in the context of cloud solutions architecture
      • Wrap-up
  • Course 2

    Launch your career in programming with this course on the fundamentals of Python and other programming languages.

    1 test

    4 weeks

    4 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Introduction to cloud computing
      • Welcome to the course
      • Introduction to cloud computing
      • The cloud computing sector
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 2

      Cloud deployment models, risks, and benefits
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Cloud Operations
      • Benefits and opportunities, challenges and risks of cloud computing
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 3

      Python data structures
      • Welcome to Week 3
      • Python data structures
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 4

      Python functions
      • Welcome to Week 4
      • Functions
      • Wrap-up
  • Course 3

    Explore the fundamentals of object-orientated programming languages and learn how to visualise data with Python.

    1 test

    4 weeks

    4 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Introduction to the Matplotlib library in Python
      • Welcome to the course!
      • Introduction to Matplotlib
      • Plotting time series data using Matplotlib
      • Quantitative comparisons and statistical visualisations
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 2

      Sharing your content and Seaborn in Python
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • How to share visualisations
      • Introduction to Seaborn
      • Visualising two quantitative variables
      • Visualising categorical and quantitative variables
      • Customising Seaborn plots
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 3

      Object-orientated programming
      • Welcome to Week 3
      • Object-orientated programming
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 4

      Python additional libraries
      • Welcome to Week 4
      • Python libraries
      • Wrap-up

Prove you're job ready

Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.

  • Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
  • Complete each course and pass assessments.
  • Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
  • Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
  • Make your career dreams a reality.

Download a PDF

How ExpertTracks work

Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.

Join a free 2-day trial

Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.

Keep learning for $39/month

Pay a monthly subscription fee of $39 for as long as it takes you to complete the ExpertTrack. You can learn at your own pace and cancel at any time.

Earn digital certificates

Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.

Become an expert

Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.

World-class learning with FutureLearn

FutureLearn is a leading social learning platform and has been providing high quality online courses for learners around the world over the last ten years.

This ExpertTrack is in collaboration with GitHub

Learn how leading industry technology provider Github is used to drive business success.

This ExpertTrack is endorsed by Coventry University

This ExpertTrack is endorsed by Coventry University and delivered by FutureLearn as a quality professional development programme.

Meet your instructor

Hi everyone. I'm Jey, a professional accredited engineer that is looking to create innovations inside the engineering industry. My interests include deep learning, cryptography and quantum computing.

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FAQ

ExpertTracks are a series of online courses designed to help you master new skills in specialist areas. You pay a monthly subscription fee which includes access to all courses within the ExpertTrack, as well as assessments and the final digital certificate.

Each ExpertTrack comes with a 2-day free trial period. You may cancel your subscription at any time and your subscription will automatically cancel when you finish the courses and assessments in your chosen ExpertTrack.

Yes. All of our ExpertTracks come with a 2-day free trial. You may claim one free trial period per ExpertTrack.

You have two days before you will be charged your first monthly subscription fee. When you join an ExpertTrack you automatically receive a 2-day free trial period. You can cancel at any time during the trial period and no payment will be taken from your account.

Please see our full refund policy here.

No, all of our ExpertTracks consist of fully online courses. This means you can take an ExpertTrack from anywhere in the world.

No. ExpertTracks are designed for you to master new skills in a specialist area. You will earn a digital certificate that proves your learning, but it does not carry accreditation.

If you’re looking for certified or accredited courses, many of our microcredentials offer university credit or professional certification.

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