Online ExpertTrack in IT & Computer Science

Software Development with Python and Java

Boost your software development career with this ExpertTrack on Python and Java

Created by

FutureLearnFutureLearn

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In collaboration with

GitHubGitHub

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Endorsed by

Coventry UniversityCoventry University

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Develop the skills you need to work in a development environment

This ExpertTrack is designed to further your software development skills and covers popular programming languages Python and Java.

You’ll be introduced to the world of software development and the skills needed to become a high-performing developer.

You’ll have access to industry leading integration software company, Github, giving you in-demand employability skills.

Get to know software development basics

You’ll get a taste of software development, and learn what it takes to become a successful developer using some of the world’s most popular programming languages and integration software.

Your theoretical knowledge will be put to the test in a series of practical exercises allowing you to apply your new-found Python and Java skills and gain the confidence to use them in a professional setting.

Explore Python and Java programming languages

You’ll explore the programming language Python in-depth, looking at its dynamic semantics and keys aspects of the code syntax. You’ll also look at how the variables, data types and operators, arrays, and control statements are used in Java.

On completion of this course, you’ll be able to describe applications for Python and Java programming languages, create simple objects using Python and Java, and be familiar with the key characteristics, traits and careers pathways of a professional software developer.

Ultimately, you’ll be ready to begin your own career in software development.

Expand your career options

‘Software developer’ is one of the world’s most in-demand professions, with positions projected to grow 22% by 2029. Skills in programming and development can open doors to rewarding careers, lucrative salaries, and even overseas opportunities – as over 24 countries have a shortage of software engineers and developers. This ExpertTrack is a great first step to starting a lucrative career with great long-term options.

These skills are also useful for a variety of other careers with a tech component, such as QA testers, product managers, and IT managers.

Industry statistics

  • Median base salary

    £35,000
  • UK job openings/month

    1,841

Key skills you will learn

  • Python
  • Java
  • Software Development
  • Programming
  • Coding

Learning outcomes

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

  • Describe applications for Python and Java programming languages
  • Create simple objects using Python and Java, independently
  • Describe key characteristics, traits and careers pathways of a professional developer

Experience required

This ExpertTrack will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to start a career in software development, and allow you to understand and participate in conversations about digital technology. You don’t need any prior experience to take this ExpertTrack.

During the ExpertTrack we’ll be using Python, Jupyter Notebook and Java. We recommend you use a computer to access the courses in this ExpertTrack.

Getting started

This ExpertTrack will provide you with the foundations to start your development career. It’s best suited to:

  • Career-starters or career-changers looking for an entry level role as a software developer.
  • Established technology professionals looking to better understand software development.
  • Entrepreneurs who need to understand how to translate an idea for a new product or service into a finished digital one.
  • Project, product or general managers looking to gain experience of developer activities.

ExpertTrack course overview

  • Course 1

    Get an introduction to software development and learn the basics of Python.

    1 test

    4 weeks

    4 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Introduction to Python
      • Welcome to the course!
      • Python in context
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 2

      Python working environments, writing code, and basic troubleshooting
      • Introduction
      • Installations and working environments
      • Writing code and troubleshooting
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 3

      Variables, data types, and data structures
      • Introduction
      • Variables and Data Types
      • Data structures
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 4

      Conditionals, loops, and functions in Python
      • Introduction
      • Conditionals and loops
      • Functions in Python
      • Wrap-up
  • Course 2

    Explore how Java can help support your software development career and learn its basic uses and functions.

    1 test

    4 weeks

    4 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Object-oriented programming in Python
      • Introduction
      • Object-oriented programming in Python
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 2

      Python libraries
      • Introduction
      • Python libraries
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 3

      What is Java?
      • Introduction
      • What is Java?
      • Installations and working environments
      • Variables and data types
      • Operators
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 4

      Operators and arrays
      • Introduction
      • Arrays
      • Control statements
      • Wrap-up
  • Course 3

    Review everything you need to know about Java and Python to start a career as a software developer.

    1 test

    4 weeks

    4 hours per week

    • Week 1

      More Java
      • Welcome to the course!
      • Classes and Objects
      • Methods and Constructors
      • Strings
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 2

      Even more Java
      • Introduction
      • Inheritance
      • Interfaces
      • Collections
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 3

      High-performance developer traits, tactics, and career pathways
      • Introduction
      • High-performance developer traits and tactics
      • Developer career pathways
      • Wrap-up
    • Week 4

      Leadership and effective teams
      • Introduction
      • Leadership and software development
      • Effective teams and projects in software development
      • 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

With insights provided by leading industry technology partner Github, learn to drive business success through software development.

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

Lewin delivers high quality, scalable software that behaves predictably and fails gracefully. He understands how to make effective tradeoffs between new features, system complexity and technical debt.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • 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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Start learning today - free 2-day trial

After your free trial you can:

  • Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
  • Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
  • Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
  • Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
  • Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
  • Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
  • Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends

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.

Have more questions about ExpertTracks? Read the ExpertTracks FAQs, or contact us.