Python for Everybody Specialization

This certification course teaches the basics of programming computers using Python. The course has no pre-requisites and avoids all but the simplest mathematics. Anyone with moderate computer experience should be able to master the materials in this course.

Created by: Charles Severance

Produced in 2014

icon
What you will learn

  • Syntax and semantics necessary to work in Python 3.
  • How to construct programs out of simple Python instructions.
  • Why programming is important.
  • How to install and operate Python.
  • Variables, conditions, functions, loops and iteration.

icon
Quality Score

Content Quality
/
Video Quality
/
Qualified Instructor
/
Course Pace
/
Course Depth & Coverage
/

Overall Score : 94 / 100

icon
Course Description

icon
python Awards Best Overall Course

This course aims to teach everyone the basics of programming computers using Python. We cover the basics of how one constructs a program from a series of simple instructions in Python. The course has no pre-requisites and avoids all but the simplest mathematics. Anyone with moderate computer experience should be able to master the materials in this course. This course will cover Chapters 1-5 of the textbook "Python for Everybody". Once a student completes this course, they will be ready to take more advanced programming courses. This course covers Python 3.

NOTE: This course is the first course in a 5-course series offered for free on Coursera. The combined length of the video content of all 5 courses is 25 hours.

icon
Pros

icon
Cons

    • Developed by the University of Michigan.
    • No prerequisites necessary and minimal math is used in the course, making it very beginner friendly.
    • Lectures are designed in extremely consumable format that makes it easy for new programmers to progress.
    • Course is extremely beginner friendly and does not delve into more complicated or challenging ideas and problems.
    • Assignments border on being too easy to properly develop the skills being taught.
    • Students with computer science experience are likely to be bored if not underwhelmed.

icon
Instructor Details

Charles Severance

Charles Severance (a.k.a. Dr. Chuck) is a Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, where he teaches various technology-oriented courses including programming, database design, and Web development. Chuck has written a number of books including Using Google App Engine, and Python for Everybody. His research field is in the building of learning management systems such as Sakai, Moodle, Blackboard, ANGEL, and others. He was the chief architect for the Sakai Project, a learning management system used at about 300 schools worldwide and wrote the book Sakai: Free as in Freedom, that describes his experiences as one of the leaders of the project. In the mid-1990s he was the host of Internet:TCI, a national television talk show about the Internet that ran for several years on the TCI cable system. He was long-time a columnist for the IEEE Computer Magazine writing a monthly column called ""Computing Conversations"" that features video interviews with famous technology leaders and innovators.

icon
More courses by Charles Severance

Python Data Structures

Free

Programacian para todos (empezando con Python)

Free

Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)

Free

icon
Reviews

4.7

91 total reviews

5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star
% Complete
% Complete
% Complete
% Complete
% Complete

By Shan on 9/13/2019

Great class! Recommended for beginners. Absolutely right class for developers

By Pontus on 4/25/2019

Absolutely fantastic course for everyone keen on learning Python/programming/thinking as a computer and use these skills for work/studies/hobby etc. Being a medical doctor with no previous experience of programming whatsoever (not even in high school or anything), I started out as a tabula rasa, and well, I have to say Professor Chuck managed to get me hooked to Python after watching just a few lectures. I would also recommend this course to anyone keen on learning Bioinformatics for instance and have started to watch MOOCs about bioinformatics, touching upon algorithms used etc. For example, this course has been a HUGE resource for me to understand the contents of the excellent MOOC Algorithms for DNA sequencing provided by John Hopkins University.In summary 11 out of 10 stars!

By Pamela on 4/25/2019

I did the first course in this series, but otherwise I am a total beginner to computer programming in general and Python in particular. It can be hard to find a course that is easily accessible to the true novice. Prof. Severance works hard to do just that, and 98% of the time he achieved it. He explains things well, has a natural presence on the video and is always encouraging, reassuring and often playful. The class has been manageable in terms of time commitment. That is part of what makes the course accessible. Each lesson is very focused on accomplishing one particular thing, while building on knowledge accumulated in previous weeks. Some assignments were very challenging for me, but not so challenging, I couldn't succeed with a bit of effort, and, when stumped, pursuing answers to questions either online (Stack Overflow recommended) or from the TAs, or from a friend I know who's expert in Python. I also really appreciate the serial structure of the five Python for Everybody courses. I was a bit confused about how that worked at the start, but I really love the structure now that I have the hang of it.Thanks for a great course!

By Sukrity on 4/25/2019

Hi, I am feeling very happy on the completion of the course I would like to thank Dr Chuck for his guidance and support thank you so much Dr Chuck.

By Del on 4/25/2019

The class is taught by a professor who clearly knows his stuff, and it shows in the lectures. The recorded videos were very informative and related to the homeword. I had a problem with the Autograders that are used for the homework. There is clearly a problem with the manner in which they interpret spacing, and someone should fix this problem. Python is far too dependent on spacing and indentation for it to go unresolved by the teaching staff. I also feel that there is too much of a disconnect in the course between mentors and students. I could not ask any mentor a question and get a straight answer. They merely allude to the problem in the code that is presented to them. I must have spent a day on the last programming assignment. That is partially due to the Autograder's interpretation of spacing, and partially due to unfamiliarity with the language. This is the first time we're writing code, and the problems seem to assume that we are experts. There are not examples of how to manipulate code, followed by homework that varies slightly from what is presented. I am very nervous about continuing in the python specialization. If I can spend a day correcting code due to Autograder problems interpreting spacing and other issues, how long will I require for the code that I'll have to write in future classes? Forget about reaching the professor. He's disconnected, and his phone line doesn't seem to work, or is always busy. There is no one else who can be reached, except the mentors via the Forum, who only provide some perspective on code, but no direct help.

By Jason on 4/25/2019

A very solid introduction to Python, the instructor takes it slow and explains basic concepts. Very helpful for learning python, especially if you're new to programming.

By Mary on 4/25/2019

This was my first MOOC so I went in with an open mind and no expectations. I had absolutely no dev experience so I was looking for an online course that was truly for beginners.The course consists of an eBook and online videos/assignments/quizzes. The professor Dr. Charles Severance is passionate about Python and enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge. He is engaging in the online lectures. In addition to the lectures, he also adds interviews and other relevant video clips - these extras made me feel like I was truly a part of this course.The assignments/quizzes are due on a weekly basis and must be completed by Sunday evening. I felt this helped me hold myself accountable - even when I had things going on, I prioritized getting my assignment and quiz in prior to Sunday.I enjoyed this course so much that I've decided to complete the entire Coursera Learn to Program and Analyze Data with Python Specialization.

By Nikita Neganov on 4/25/2019

That's a great introductory course to using databases, it helps to deal with data and creates a little background to further data analysis.

By Ed Hensley on 4/25/2019

This course guides you through the steps that applications use to access databases via the internet.

By Manuel J. Barbero on 4/25/2019

After doing this course you feel a little wiser, because you learn about many things related to data management and I think that it's a good starting point in this matter

This course will certainly help you have a better understanding of how python works with databases, and how you combine the xml and json

By Vishal Girisagar on 4/25/2019

You will not get in-depth knowledge but these courses will definitely serve as starting point.