An Introduction to Programming using Python
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An Introduction to Programming using Python
Instructors: Dr Rafael Papallas
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What you'll learn
Describe what computer programming is, recognising its purpose and how it enables the creation and execution of computer programs.
Explain what algorithms are and their significance in programming.
Create programs that accept user input, display output, and utilise essential programming constructs such as if statements, loops, and functions.
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There are 2 modules in this course
Maximise your employability, by learning the basics of coding in Python. Python is a versatile programming language used for developing websites and software, task automation, data analysis and more.
In this course, you'll embark on an exciting journey into the world of Python and gain valuable skills that will enable you to start thinking about a career in programming. Through exercises and practical projects, you will gain confidence and deepen your understanding of coding in Python. By the end of the course, you will be able to showcase your skills by programming a small robot to navigate obstacles. Join us on this transformative journey and unlock the boundless potential of Python programming to discover the opportunities awaiting you in the world of development.
This first week of the course will give you an understanding of the basic principles of programming. You will learn what programming is and be introduced to some basic theories of computers. You will also learn what an algorithm is and the basics of propositional logic – the fundamental underpinnings of programming. Finally, you will look at some basic Python syntax such as variables, data types and input/output, and you will write a simple Python program.
What's included
17 videos10 readings5 assignments3 discussion prompts3 ungraded labs
17 videos•Total 97 minutes
- Welcome to your course•4 minutes
- What is programming?•4 minutes
- Why do we need different programming languages?•3 minutes
- Lesson 1: Summary and consolidation•1 minute
- How a computer program really works•6 minutes
- Algorithmic problem solving: How a programmer thinks about problem solving•7 minutes
- What is an algorithm?•5 minutes
- What is a pseudocode?•7 minutes
- Propositional logic: How computers make decisions•4 minutes
- Logic operators: How to create complex logical propositions•13 minutes
- Lesson 2: Summary and consolidation•2 minutes
- Variables: How to give name to values and create general programs•7 minutes
- Primitive data types in Python: Learn about booleans, integers, floats and strings•8 minutes
- More on strings in Python•7 minutes
- Input and output in Python•9 minutes
- Writing comments•5 minutes
- Lesson 3: Summary and consolidation•3 minutes
10 readings•Total 54 minutes
- About your instructor•2 minutes
- Course overview•5 minutes
- Optional: Working offline•10 minutes
- Lesson 1: Overview•2 minutes
- Lesson 2: Overview•5 minutes
- Logical operators•10 minutes
- Exercise: Finding out the precedence of logic operators•10 minutes
- Lesson 3: Overview•5 minutes
- Optional exercise: What other strings methods are there?•0 minutes
- Recap: Input, print and f-strings•5 minutes
5 assignments•Total 22 minutes
- Check your understanding: Computer programming and programming languages•5 minutes
- Check your understanding•5 minutes
- Check your understanding: Logic operators•5 minutes
- Check your understanding: Logic operators precedence•2 minutes
- Check your understanding: Variables•5 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 35 minutes
- What are you looking forward to?•10 minutes
- What other programming languages are out there?•15 minutes
- Reflecting on Week 1•10 minutes
3 ungraded labs•Total 45 minutes
- Exercise: Hands-on with Visual Studio Code, your text editor•10 minutes
- Exercise: Define your own variables•15 minutes
- Exercise: Input and output in Python•20 minutes
The second week will introduce some more advanced programming concepts. In particular, conditionals (if statements), loops and functions. With these under your belt, you will be able to write small but complex programs. By the end of the week, you will be able to put together a Python program that commands a small virtual robot to move in space!
What's included
13 videos9 readings5 assignments3 discussion prompts5 ungraded labs
13 videos•Total 78 minutes
- Week 2: Overview•5 minutes
- Conditionals: How computers take decisions•5 minutes
- If statements in Python•9 minutes
- The 'else' keyword in Python•5 minutes
- The 'elif' keyword in Python•8 minutes
- For loops in Python•8 minutes
- While loops in Python•11 minutes
- Lesson 4: Summary and consolidation•3 minutes
- What is a function in programming?•11 minutes
- How to write your own functions in Python•5 minutes
- Lesson 5: Summary and consolidation•2 minutes
- Introduction to the project you will work on •5 minutes
- Lesson 6: Summary and consolidation•2 minutes
9 readings•Total 46 minutes
- Lesson 4: Overview•2 minutes
- Conditionals in Python•2 minutes
- Lesson 5: Overview•2 minutes
- What's the difference between arguments and parameters?•10 minutes
- Lesson 6: Overview•10 minutes
- Optional reading: How the A* algorithm works•10 minutes
- Optional: Instructions for how to run the graphical version•0 minutes
- Course summary: What have you learned?•5 minutes
- Taking your learning further •5 minutes
5 assignments•Total 37 minutes
- Check your understanding: Conditionals and if statements •5 minutes
- Check your understanding: Loops•5 minutes
- Check your understanding: Functions•5 minutes
- Check your understanding: Functions, arguments and parameters in Python•2 minutes
- Test your learning and get your certificate•20 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
- Functions and naming conventions•10 minutes
- Share your solution with others!•10 minutes
- Reflections on the course•10 minutes
5 ungraded labs•Total 105 minutes
- Exercise: If statements•10 minutes
- Exercises on loops•20 minutes
- Exercise: Practicing functions •15 minutes
- Exercise: Implementing a basic version•30 minutes
- Exercise: Implementing the improved algorithm using a path finding algorithm•30 minutes
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Reviewed on Jan 4, 2024
Great experience and a great introduction to Python. Thank you!
Reviewed on Nov 5, 2023
I really enjoyed the course, it was very useful as an introduction to Python, great for beginners!!
Reviewed on Sep 18, 2025
Best course on truly fundamentals of programming I have ever found, this is exactly what you want to learn to start programming. Cheers from Mexico City.
Frequently asked questions
This course is part of Click Start, a UK training programme designed to help young people develop digital skills. Click Start is offering a limited number of scholarships giving free access to young people in the UK.
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