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University of Michigan

Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)

University of Michigan via Coursera

Overview

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This course aims to teach everyone the basics of programming computers using Python. We cover the basics of how one constructs a program from a series of simple instructions in Python. The course has no pre-requisites and avoids all but the simplest mathematics. Anyone with moderate computer experience should be able to master the materials in this course. This course will cover Chapters 1-5 of the textbook “Python for Everybody”. Once a student completes this course, they will be ready to take more advanced programming courses. This course covers Python 3.

Syllabus

  • Chapter One - Why we Program?
    • These are the course-wide materials as well as the first part of Chapter One where we explore what it means to write programs. We finished Chapter One and had the quiz and first assignment in the third week of the class. Throughout the course, you may want to come back and look at these materials. This section should not take you an entire week.
  • Installing Python
    • In this module you will set things up so you can write Python programs. Not all activities in this module are required for this class so please read the "Using Python in this Class" material for details.
  • Chapter One: Why We Program (continued)
    • In the first chapter, we try to cover the "big picture" of programming so you get a "table of contents" of the rest of the book. Don't worry if not everything makes perfect sense the first time you hear it. This chapter is quite broad and you would benefit from reading the chapter in the book in addition to watching the lectures to help it all sink in. You might want to come back and re-watch these lectures after you have finished a few more chapters.
  • Chapter Two: Variables and Expressions
    • In this chapter we cover how a program uses the computer's memory to store, retrieve and calculate information.
  • Chapter Three: Conditional Code
    • In this section we move from sequential code that simply runs one line of code after another to conditional code where some steps are skipped. It is a very simple concept - but it is how computer software makes "choices".
  • Chapter Four: Functions
    • This is a relatively short chapter. We will learn about what functions are and how we can use them. The programs in the first chapters of the book are not large enough to require us to develop functions, but as the book moves into more and more complex programs, functions will be an essential way for us to make sense of our code.
  • Chapter Five: Loops and Iteration
    • Loops and iteration complete our four basic programming patterns. Loops are the way we tell Python to do something over and over. Loops are the way we build programs that stay with a problem until the problem is solved.

Taught by

Charles Severance

Reviews

4.9 rating, based on 43,037 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at Coursera based on 226028 ratings

Start your review of Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)

  • Anonymous
    Before you read this review, some notes about me (so you can form your own opinion about my review below): - I have been interested in programming since I was little, but never gained any real experience in it until my adult life. - I tried to take…
  • Anonymous
    This is a great course. The teacher not only knows his material, but has a lot of experience working with first time programmers and so knows what errors they are likely to make and what questions they are likely to ask and addresses them all. He is…
  • Anonymous
    To be honest, I thought the course stumbled and fell short. It was far too basic and slow paced. Considering how little is taught, even for a beginner's course in Python, it could hardly be described as college-level material. The tone was a bit…
  • Profile image for Daniel Dunne
    Daniel Dunne
    I work in lesson design and blended learning teacher training. I train teachers how to combine effective teaching practices with technology in K-8 classrooms. There is lots of room for improvement in this course. I would not recommend it to someone…
  • I recently completed the "Programming for Everybody" course offered by the University of Michigan on Coursera, and I must say it was an excellent introduction to Python programming. As someone with little prior programming experience, this course pr…
  • Jennifer
    With so many glowing reviews, I don't think mine matters, but here it is anyway: This course is amazing. This course is so amazing that a) I realized I threw away way too much money on a different "introduction to python" course that had live instr…
  • Anonymous
    Бұл курсты анонимді аяқтады. Осы шолуды оқымас бұрын мен туралы біраз ескертпелер (төменде менің шолуым туралы өз пікіріңізді қалыптастыруға болады): - Мен кішкентай кезімнен бағдарламалауға қызығатынмын, бірақ ересек өмірге дейін ол бойынша нақты…
  • DON'T GIVE UP SO SOON. KEEP ON MOVING TO COURSE 2 OF THIS SPECIALIZATION. Sections 1-7: I had no previous knowledge about programming, even my educational background doesn't related to computer science at all. I have passion for working on the comp…
  • Most of the low reviews are from people who are not the target audience of this Specialization. If you already have a background in programming or impatient, this isn't for you. This is meant to be a complete INTRO class specialization. The teacher…
  • Anonymous
    I have no prior knowledge of Python or coding or programming, but as a researcher, I know I need to learn how to use Python to do more interesting and complex analyses. However, every time I've tried to learn Python (or anything else coding-related,…
  • Profile image for SeifEdin Salama
    SeifEdin Salama
    I really enjoyed the online course. I thought it was well planned and layed out, easy for me to follow. The work load (h.w. & test) was just enough, so I could finish everything with enough time, learn about the topics and not feel over loaded and r…
  • Hafiz Syed Muhammad Khizar
    I really enjoyed the online course. I thought it was well planned and layed out, easy for me to follow. The work load(h.w. & test)was just enough, so i could finish everything with enough time, learn about the topics and not feel over loaded and rus…
  • Anonymous
    I really enjoyed the online course. I thought it was well planned and layed out, easy for me to follow. The work load(h.w. & test)was just enough, so i could finish everything with enough time, learn about the topics and not feel over loaded and rus…
  • Anonymous
    I really enjoyed the online course. I thought it was well planned and layed out, easy for me to follow. The work load(h.w. & test)was just enough, so i could finish everything with enough time, learn about the topics and not feel over loaded and rus…
  • There are many benefits of taking a Python course, including: Increased job opportunities: Python is one of the most in-demand programming languages in the tech industry, and learning it can open up many job opportunities. Versatility: Python is a…
  • Anonymous
    Pros: The instructor is very passionate and knows code inside and out. I truly believe he did his best to teach students basic Python language. I'm not convinced he is well equipped to teach beginner Python courses in the "real" world....let alone…
  • Anonymous
    The instructor is awesome and the designing of course is fabulous and super easy to understand. I found this course great. I will suggest who want to learn Python Must must take this Course. It will help you lot and clear all your basics.I refer a…
  • This was my first MOOC so I went in with an open mind and no expectations. I had absolutely no dev experience so I was looking for an online course that was truly for beginners. The course consists of an eBook and online videos/assignments/quizzes…
  • Profile image for Christine Y
    Christine Y
    I'm a UofM grad with a BSEE degree and worked has a hardware engineer for about 10 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom for the past 16. With my sights set on slowly making my way back into the workforce, Python sounded like a good stepping sto…
  • Anonymous
    I joined this course to achieve two things: to learn about learning online in a MOOC environment, and to get an early grip on Python. I have some experience with PHP but find that PHP is excruciatingly slow for the development of database-driven w…

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