Introduction to Python Course Syllabus

Overview: This course is a hands-on, beginner-friendly introduction to Python programming, designed to get you writing and running code in under 4 hours. Through interactive notebooks, you'll learn core programming concepts step by step, with immediate feedback and no setup beyond a web browser. Each module builds practical skills with guided exercises, culminating in a final project that reinforces your understanding of Python fundamentals.

Module 1: Getting Started with Python

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Installing Python and setting up a Jupyter notebook environment
• Navigating the interactive notebook interface
• Running your first line of code
• Printing 'Hello, World!' to the console

Module 2: Variables & Data Types

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Understanding variables and assignment
• Working with numbers and basic arithmetic operations
• Using strings and performing string operations
• Applying Boolean values and logical expressions

Module 3: Control Flow

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Writing if / else statements for decision making
• Using comparison operators to evaluate conditions
• Combining conditions with logical operators
• Grading numeric scores using conditional logic

Module 4: Loops

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Implementing for loops to iterate over sequences
• Using while loops for repeated execution
• Controlling loop flow with break and continue statements
• Filtering odd numbers from a list using iteration

Module 5: Functions

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Defining functions with parameters
• Returning values from functions
• Understanding variable scope in functions
• Building a factorial computation function

Module 6: Data Structures

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Creating and manipulating lists
• Storing key-value pairs in dictionaries
• Performing string operations within data structures
• Using basic list and dictionary comprehensions

Module 7: File I/O

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Reading text files using Python
• Writing data to new files
• Using the 'with' statement as a context manager
• Processing a CSV file and writing filtered output

Prerequisites

• Basic computer literacy
• No prior programming experience required
• Access to a modern web browser

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Write and run basic Python scripts in a notebook environment
• Use variables, data types, and operators effectively
• Implement control flow and looping constructs
• Create reusable functions with parameters and return values
• Work with core data structures and perform file input/output operations