Summer Python Course Syllabus
Course Title: Introduction to Python Programming
Duration: 8 weeks
Course Description: This course is an introduction to Python programming for beginners. It covers the fundamental concepts and techniques of Python, providing a strong foundation for further study or professional use.
Course Objectives:
- Understand basic programming concepts and Python syntax
- Develop problem-solving skills using Python
- Write and debug Python programs
- Use Python libraries for data manipulation and visualization
Week 1: Introduction to Python
Topics:
- Course overview
- Introduction to programming and Python
- Setting up the Python environment (installing Python, IDEs)
- Writing and running your first Python script
Activities:
- Install Python and an IDE (e.g., PyCharm, VSCode, or Jupyter Notebook)
- Write a simple “Hello, World!” program
- Discuss basic programming concepts: variables, data types, and operators
Week 2: Control Structures
Topics:
- Conditional statements (if, elif, else)
- Loops (for, while)
- Understanding indentation and code blocks
Activities:
- Write programs using if-else statements
- Create loops to iterate over sequences
- Practice exercises on control structures
Week 3: Functions and Modules
Topics:
- Defining and calling functions
- Function parameters and return values
- Importing and using modules
- Writing your own modules
Activities:
- Create functions to perform specific tasks
- Use built-in Python modules (e.g., math, random)
- Write and import custom modules
Week 4: Data Structures
Topics:
- Lists, tuples, and sets
- Dictionaries
- List comprehensions
- Basic operations on data structures
Activities:
- Create and manipulate lists, tuples, sets, and dictionaries
- Use list comprehensions to create new lists
- Practice exercises on data structures
Week 5: File Handling
Topics:
- Reading from and writing to files
- Working with different file formats (text, CSV)
- Exception handling
Activities:
- Write programs to read from and write to files
- Handle exceptions in file operations
- Practice exercises on file handling
Week 6: Object-Oriented Programming
Topics:
- Introduction to OOP concepts (classes, objects, inheritance)
- Defining and using classes
- Understanding attributes and methods
- Inheritance and polymorphism
Activities:
- Create classes and objects
- Implement inheritance in classes
- Practice exercises on OOP concepts
Week 7: Libraries and Frameworks
Topics:
- Introduction to popular Python libraries (e.g., NumPy, pandas, matplotlib)
- Basic data analysis and visualization
- Using Python for web development (Flask or Django overview)
Activities:
- Perform data analysis using pandas
- Create visualizations using matplotlib
- Explore basic web application development with Flask or Django
Week 8: Final Project and Review
Topics:
- Course review and Q&A
- Final project presentations
- Next steps in Python learning
Activities:
- Work on a final project that incorporates course concepts
- Present the final project to the class
- Discuss resources for further learning and professional development
Materials:
- Textbook: “Python Crash Course” by Eric Matthes (optional)
- Online resources: Python documentation, Stack Overflow, etc.
Assessment:
- Weekly assignments and quizzes
- Final project presentation
Prerequisites:
- No prior programming experience required