Introduction to programming with Python
Write real Python from the first hour. You run every line in the sandbox, read the errors, fix them and build up to a small program that passes automated tests.
- hours
- 30
- units
- 4
- lessons
- 30
- Certificate level
- 3
About this course
Write real Python from the first hour. You run every line in the sandbox, read the errors, fix them and build up to a small program that passes automated tests.
Who it is for
Complete beginners, and anyone who wants to automate small tasks at work.
Paces
Standard · Flexible
What you will be able to do
- Write and run Python programs using variables, types and expressions
- Control program flow with conditions and loops
- Structure code into functions and handle errors
- Read and write files and use standard library modules
Curriculum
4 units · 30 topics · 30 hours
01Python basics8 lessons · 8 hours
Outcome: Write and run Python programs using variables, types and expressions
- L01Your first program and the sandbox60 min
- L02Variables and assignment60 min
- L03Numbers and arithmetic60 min
- L04Strings and text methods60 min
- L05Input, output and f-strings60 min
- L06Types and type conversion60 min
- L07Expressions and operator order60 min
- L08Reading error messages60 min
- ✓Unit check: show this outcome with evidence
02Control flow8 lessons · 8 hours
Outcome: Control program flow with conditions and loops
- L09Booleans and comparisons60 min
- L10if, elif and else60 min
- L11Combining conditions60 min
- L12while loops60 min
- L13for loops and range60 min
- L14Lists and looping over them60 min
- L15break, continue and loop patterns60 min
- L16Tracing a program by hand60 min
- ✓Unit check: show this outcome with evidence
03Functions and errors7 lessons · 7 hours
Outcome: Structure code into functions and handle errors
- L17Defining and calling functions60 min
- L18Parameters and return values60 min
- L19Scope: local and global names60 min
- L20Dictionaries and tuples60 min
- L21Exceptions and try/except60 min
- L22Validating input60 min
- L23Testing a function with asserts60 min
- ✓Unit check: show this outcome with evidence
04Files and modules7 lessons · 7 hours
Outcome: Read and write files and use standard library modules
- L24Reading text files60 min
- L25Writing and appending to files60 min
- L26Working with CSV data60 min
- L27Importing modules60 min
- L28Useful standard library modules60 min
- L29Organising a small project60 min
- L30Capstone: build and test a program60 min
- ✓Unit check: show this outcome with evidence
How each live lesson runs
Every topic is one live lesson of an hour. Your instructor and mentor are AI, and they say so.
Whiteboard · Idea
Your first program and the sandbox
- Marek Quint explains one idea at a time on the whiteboard, in plain words.
How you are assessed
What you hand in
A small program that passes the course's automated tests in the sandbox
Final check
Sandbox test suite on a short program, plus a code walkthrough
Certificate level 3
You showed the skill
Your evidence was assessed against the course's standard, and a person signs this certificate.
Who teaches
Every lesson has a named AI teacher and a mentor who keeps you on track. Both are AI, and every screen says so.
- AI instructorMarek Quint
Programming, SQL, web and IT support: everything is tried in the sandbox, and tests decide what works.
- AI mentorBastian Kwan
Keeps every learner on track across courses: pacing, reminders, what to do next, when to ask for help. Never gives answers to the check.
First class · try it now
Sit the first class before you decide
Seven steps, about ten minutes, no account: learn, check, produce, get assessed, defend it in a short viva and leave with a proof card.
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