Python 101

LAPTOPS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE

This 3-hour sprint course offers a fast-paced, hands-on introduction to Python programming, designed for beginners looking to quickly grasp the essentials. Covering key concepts such as variables, data types, control structures, and functions, participants will gain foundational skills through practical exercises and a mini-project. By the end of the session, learners will have the confidence to write basic Python programs and a clear pathway for further exploration in programming. Ideal for those with limited time, this course condenses Python’s core elements into a concise, interactive learning experience.

Once completed you will be able to complete the Stanford “Code in Place” course which starts that week. Sign up for it now https://codeinplace.stanford.edu/

LAPTOPS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE

Tuesday 22nd April – 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Free

Hour 1: Python Basics

1.1 Introduction (10 minutes)

• Why Python? Overview and setup.
• Write your first program: print("Hello, World!").

1.2 Variables and Data Types (20 minutes)

• Variables, strings, integers, floats, booleans.
• Type conversion and operations.

Exercise: Create and manipulate variables of different types.

1.3 Input and Output (10 minutes)

• Use input() for user input.
• Format output with f-strings.

Exercise: Write a program to take input and print a formatted message.

1.4 Arithmetic Operations (20 minutes)

• Basic operators: +, -, *, /, //, %, **.
• Operator precedence.

Exercise: Build a basic calculator.

Hour 2: Control Structures and Functions

2.1 Conditional Statements (20 minutes)

• if, elif, else statements.
• Comparison and logical operators.

Exercise: Program to output messages based on age input.

2.2 Loops (20 minutes)

• for and while loops, break and continue.

Exercise: Sum numbers 1 to 100 using loops.

2.3 Functions (20 minutes)

• Define and call functions, arguments, return values.

Exercise: Write a function to multiply two numbers.

Hour 3: Data Structures and Problem Solving

3.1 Lists and Tuples (20 minutes)

• List and tuple operations: add, remove, access elements.

Exercise: Manage a list of favourite movies.

3.2 Dictionaries (15 minutes)

• Create and manipulate dictionaries.

Exercise: Store and manage student names and grades.

3.3 Basic Problem Solving (15 minutes)

• Simple algorithms: find max/min, sort a list.

Exercise: Sort a list without using sort().

3.4 Final Project (30 minutes)

• Create a mini application (e.g., Guess the Number, to-do list).
• Apply learned concepts independently.

Conclusion and Q&A (10 minutes)

• Recap key concepts.
• Answer questions and suggest further resources.

LAPTOPS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE