Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming (Georgia Institute of Technology) ranks 4th on the list of best online python courses.. Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming, offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology on edX, is the second choice for the best Python course. Despite the fact that only basic arithmetic is required, Computing in Python is a robust course designed for students who want to gain a comprehensive understanding of programming and beyond.

The course not only introduces Python, but also the fundamentals of computer science, exposing students to concepts that every programmer can benefit from.

Dr. David Joyner teaches the course. My colleague Manoel happened to have taken four of his courses as part of his online master's degree, and he even met the guy. He only has positive things to say about David Joyner and his courses, which are always meticulously planned, especially in terms of instructional design and teaching methods. The course is part of the Introduction to Python Programming Professional Certificate, which closely matches Georgia Tech's undergraduate introduction to computer science, giving you the skills you need to explore more advanced concepts and prepare for the professional world.

What You’ll Learn

• The course starts with an introduction to computing and explains how computers work. You’ll learn the jargon of computing and understand how code processing works.
• After setting up your programming environment, you’ll be introduced to the basic principles of programming, like the difference between compiling and executing code and the write-run-debug cycle. You’ll know how to analyze the results of running your code and use those results to revise it.
  
• Next, you’ll be introduced to the paradigm of procedural programming in Python. The course makes you realize that a program is just sequences of lines of code that is executed to fulfill a purpose, and that programs can be chained to achieve more complex functionality.
  
• Lastly, you’ll study variables, the different types of variables, and the role they play in programs. You’ll be introduced to mathematical, relational, and Boolean operators and understand how to use them to express complex relationships in code and even make “decisions”, such as running certain lines of code only if a predefined condition is met.

How You’ll Learn

• The course consists of 5 weeks of material, and you are expected to spend 9–10 hours a week learning. The course comes with an online book that serves as a basis. Also, each week is dedicated to a specific area of computer science and programming. You are encouraged to skip areas you already know to make the best use of your time.
• There are two kinds of assessments you’ll be able to complete if you audit the course for free: exercises and two practice tests. If you’re a verified learner, you’ll have access to chapter-level problem sets and complete a timed assessment at the end of the course.

Fun Facts

• The professional certificate this course is part of earned a Bronze Award for Computing & IT at the 2020 Reimagine Education awards.
• The course has a whopping 4.8 out of 5.0 rating on Class Central, with several hundred reviews.
• For all practical purposes, you'll be completing the same course that undergrad Georgia Tech students take for credit.

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Enroll here: classcentral.com/course/edx-computing-in-python-i-fundamentals-and-procedural-programming-11469