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#5 in MathUdemyMathPaid courseBeginner level

Python for linear algebra (for absolute beginners) (Udemy.com)

Dip your feet into the amazing world of using Python code to understand vectors and matrices.

Created by: Mike X Cohen

Last updated August 2026

Our take

Based on the ratings of 741 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in August 2026. No course pays to be reviewed.

Mike X Cohen's short course is a free sampler, not a full class. The syllabus shows 11 lectures across three sections, about 1.8 hours in total: roughly 40 minutes on getting started with Python, then about an hour on linear algebra. Python runs in the browser, so nothing gets installed. The description is upfront that it skims each topic and exists to help people decide whether to go further. It's aimed at people new to coding, new to linear algebra, or both.

Reviewers are warm about it. Several say Cohen explains things clearly, one says the assignments are fun, and another likes that they push students to look things up on their own. One calls it a good first look at NumPy and matplotlib. A Spanish-language reviewer says the instructor's accent is neutral and he speaks slowly, so it's easy to follow without subtitles. The complaints are mild. The one gripe in the sample is that it doesn't go deeper, in the math or in NumPy and pyplot methods.

Value is simple. It's free, it was refreshed in August 2026, and it takes an afternoon at most. Among the Math courses it sits beside, it's the quick, no-risk one. There are no quizzes and no certificate, so treat it as a test run. Of 741 ratings, 475 are five stars and 225 are four. Reviewers who liked it say they plan to move on to Cohen's fuller courses, which is the right way to use it.

Best forComplete beginners who want a free, two-hour look at Python and linear algebra before committing to a longer course.
Skip it ifYou want depth, graded quizzes or a certificate, or you already code in NumPy and know vectors and matrices.

Pros

  • Runs in the browser, so no Python install is needed to get started
  • Assignments push students to search things out, which one reviewer says builds confidence
  • Cohen speaks slowly with a neutral accent, easy to follow even without subtitles
  • Free and about two hours long, so trying it costs almost nothing

Cons

  • Skims each topic; reviewers want more depth in the math and in NumPy and pyplot methods
  • No quizzes, no graded coding exercises and no certificate of completion
  • Too short to build real skill, it works as a taster that points to longer courses
Excellent course for beginners, maybe the only bad thing is not going a little deeper in some concepts and in numpy and pyplot methods, but it's not a problem with the documentation and ChatGPT at hand.
Jhonny Alex, a student

Beginner level fits: no coding or linear algebra needed, just a computer and two to three hours.

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What you will learn

  • Introduction to Python (no previous experience necessary!)
  • How to use Python online (no installation necessary!)
  • The basics of linear algebra
  • How to use Python to learn mathematics

Course content

3 sections · 11 lectures · 1.8 hours of video 1 article

  1. 1Getting started with Python 2 free previews4 lectures · 42 min
  2. 2Linear algebra 1 free preview6 lectures · 1.1 hours
  3. 3Bonus section1 lecture

Who it is for

The instructor says it suits

  • Anyone new to coding or to linear algebra

What you need before you start

  • Willingness to spend 2-3 hours learning something new!

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Course Description

This course provides an introduction to using Python to learn linear algebra. It is designed for people who have no (or little) previous exposure to Python or to linear algebra.

What is linear algebra?

Linear algebra is the branch of mathematics that deals with vectors and matrices. A vector is a list of numbers, and a matrix is a spreadsheet of numbers.

That sounds really simple, but linear algebra is at the heart of nearly all applied mathematics, including statistics, machine learning, AI, deep learning, image processing, telecommunications, video games, computer graphics, biomedical signal processing, and the list goes on and on...


Why use Python to learn linear algebra?

Many people find math difficult but coding easier. You will be amazed at how much better you can learn math by using Python as a tool.


What will you learn in this course?

You will learn the basics of getting started with using Python and with using Python to learn mathematics. You'll see an overview of the major topics in linear algebra, although I do not go into a lot of depth on any particular topic.

By the end of this course, you will know enough to decide whether you want to learn more about Python and math.


What do you need to know before enrolling?

Well, you need to know how to use a computer. But you don't need to know anything about computer programming or linear algebra. The only thing you really *need* for this course is the willingness to dedicate 2-3 hours of your time to learning something new.


What do you have to lose?

The entire course takes 2-3 hours to complete (2 hours of video content, and about an hour to complete the practice problems). This is a great way to see whether you want to continue studying Python for math and linear algebra. And if you decide that this isn't right for you, then you only spent a few hours on it, rather than investing in tens of hours and money. Really, you have nothing to lose!


Who is your instructor?

I have been teaching data analysis, scientific programming, statistics, and signal processing for almost 20 years. I have several best-seller courses here on Udemy and my courses have well over 10,000 high-ranked reviews (don't believe me -- check out the reviews on this and my other courses!). I take online teaching seriously (although I let a few jokes slip through now and then...), and I remain actively involved in making sure my courses are high quality and up-to-date.

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Instructor Details

Mike X Cohen

I am a full-time educator and writer, and former professor of neuroscience. I "retired" from that position so I could focus my time and energy creating high-quality educational material just for you.

I have 20 years of experience teaching programming, data analysis, signal processing, statistics, linear algebra, and experiment design. I've taught undergraduate students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and full professors. I have taught in "traditional" university courses, special week-long intensive courses, and Nobel prize-winning research labs. I have >100 hours of online lectures on neuroscience data analysis that you can find on my website and youtube channel. And I've written several technical books about these topics with a few more on the way.

I'm not trying to show off -- I'm trying to convince you that you've come to the right place to maximize your learning from an instructor who has spent two decades refining and perfecting his teaching style.

Over 350,000 students have watched over 50,000,000 minutes of my courses. Come find out why!

I have several free courses that you can enroll in. Try them out! You got nothing to lose ;)

                                                  -------------------------

By popular request, here are suggested course progressions for various educational goals:

MATLAB programming: Get Started with MATLAB; Master MATLAB; Image Processing

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Reviews

4.8

741 ratings on Udemy

Select a bar to show only those reviews.Select the bar again to show every rating.

By Matan Shor on 10/11/2025

thank you for the explanations. I like the fact that in the assignments you want the students to search for stuff themselves and not depend only on the course. the "throwing into the water" gives confidence and sense of capability for me as I know what im looking for after watching each lesson.

By André Klaic Mozena Pereira on 6/7/2025

Such a great course. Truly exceeded my expectations. I truly recommend it for people who are fully aware in Linear Algebra, but starting in Python, and vice versa. It is a great introduction to the libraries numpy and matplotlib. Such a great content - and it is 100% true when the instructor says we are going to have fun with the assignments. I had a lot of fun, for real.

By Kaveri Rangappa on 4/11/2023

The method of teaching is good however, the maths part was too much for me to understand as I am not sure if so much math is required for a health data scientist. I am a beginner and felt it was too much to grasp. However, the tutor. Mike demonstrates the concepts in an easy-to-understand fashion. This course is surely for people who have basic understanding of linear algebra.

By John Pehrsson on 1/23/2023

I'm greatful for a free course to begin learning Linear Algebra in order to start studying things like Machine Learning in Python. It's not too advanced for me to learn from, and I am learning things and applying it in Python. After this I think I'll be able to start studying other material without getting lost as easy.

By Hudson H Luce on 8/10/2022

Pretty much a good match, kind of a very quick review of what I was doing in quantum chemistry 40 years ago, but dependent on existing routines to do actual calculations. The use of matplotlib was interesting, we didn;t have that kind of visualization back then

By Uwe Wlaschny on 8/9/2022

It's amazing how the course was presented: Short introductions of the themes with a little task as an assignment at the end of every chapter. It seemed impossible for me to compress this broad field, but the instructor succeeded it well and it seems to me as a good starter course for every python beginner. I participated in this course to see if it was worth going to the big courses of this instructor. "YES" is my verdict and I choose "Master statistics & machine learning: intuition, math, code" as my next course."

By Mario Cinquina on 6/13/2022

This instructor is very knowledgeable and articulate. I've taken courses from him before and will continue to even enroll in more courses ahead. You can tell by listening and observing where his dedication leads you. I completed this course in one short sitting of less than two hours and it gave me some incite on Python and how it works with matrices normally taught in linear algebra.

By Sijan Kolay on 3/1/2022

One of the best quality lecture videos, voice is clear, articulate speech! Concepts can be grasped and remember for long time in 2 viewing only ( in my case). Looking forward to enrolling for other course as well by the conductor!

By Tom Bonn on 8/28/2021

excellent short intro to his larger course on linear algebra. let me use this opportunity to say something about mike's teaching style: not to brownnose anyone, but with all my course on udemy (and I have a lot!) mike really stands out. he is equally competent and eloquent, one always takes something away from his courses. take those courses!

By Pavan Kumar on 9/21/2020

It is one of the amazing courses that I have taken. Short and wonderful explanations. People who hate math can actually find interest in it by learning it through coding. I strongly recommend to take this course. This course also gives the foundation of coding Linear Algebra equations in Python which is required for Machine Learning. I am going to the next course of Mike related to Statistics & Machine Learning. See you all there ! :)

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Overall Score : 96 / 100