Programming

with Python
 Overview
As the primary programming language taught across universities, Python is
favored by a growing number of organizations and digital platforms in
technology, finance, healthcare, media, and government. It is the easiest
programming language to learn if you are new to coding and a smart choice
if you want to expand your skills as a software developer or data scientist.
Known for its ability to solve complex problems, it's easy to understand why
Python continues to dominate the list of the most in-demand programming
languages. Job listings for Python programmers are at an all-time high, with
more than 82,000 full-time openings on Indeed alone. Programming With
Python from Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science is designed to
help you develop a solid foundation in Python coding, which will expand
your skills and broaden your opportunities.

Drawing on decades of expertise as the world’s first and most-respected

computer science school, Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer
Science now offers Programming with Python. In this program, beginners
can learn how to write computer programs. It is a comprehensive program
that will teach you to write clear, robust, and efficient code from the
fundamentals. Using top-down design, effective testing, and debugging, our
10-week online program will help you write readable programs, apply
algorithmic thinking, and make the most of Python’s massive number of
open-source libraries.

Key Takeaways
Python’s scope is nearly limitless. Data scientists, engineers, and developers
are flocking to Python because it is versatile for applications ranging from
web development to data science and from artificial intelligence (AI) to
cybersecurity. In this program, you will learn the essentials of Python coding:
Identify, interpret, and apply core programming building blocks in Python
code

Use algorithmic thinking to break up problems into smaller pieces and

solve each piece individually

Recognize and apply best industry practices for programming

Interpret, use, and build on existing code and Python libraries

01 Programming with Python

 Why Python?
Python is a good starting point for first-time coders. It uses simple, natural
language syntax, almost like spoken English. It is powerful, versatile and is
favored by such diverse industry giants as Netflix, PayPal, NASA, Disney,
and Dropbox. Python is used by 87% of data scientists.

User-Friendly Syntax: As an interpreted language, Python has simpler,

more concise syntax than Java. Python's simple, concise syntax makes it
easy to write algorithms with just a few lines of code

Open-Source Libraries: Pre-written code is readily available, with

algorithms at your disposal, so you do not have to start every project
from scratch. You can benefit from highly specific libraries — physics,
web development, gaming, machine learning — by simply importing
algorithms and applying them to your own data. It is plug and play at its
best, with new functionalities being added all the time

Community Exchanges: Python’s popularity means it has great

community support, with almost 8 million Python developers across the
world to help you debug or resolve a programming challenge

Compatibility: Python is a cross-platform language and can be

integrated easily with Windows and other platforms

Adaptability: Almost every field is adopting Python and needs both

generalists and specialists who know how to use it. Fields as varied as
gaming, web development, healthcare, and fintech prefer Python over
other programming languages, making it the must-learn language for
STEM professionals and data scientists

Who Should Attend?

This online program is designed for anyone who is interested in acquiring
programming skills in Python. No prior programming knowledge is required.

02 Programming with Python

 Program Curriculum
Designed as an online program focused on writing code using common
structures in the Python programming language, content is shared via
recorded faculty videos and live office hours with learning facilitators.

Module 1:
Interpret and write code using variables
Writing Your
First Program Recognize error messages in Python code
Demonstrate understanding of Python's core
syntax rules
Translate simple algorithms to Python functions

Module 2:
Programming with Recognize and use basic data operators on
Basic Logical Boolean
Structures Interpret and write the correct syntax for
conditionals
Recognize, interpret, and write programs with
conditionals
Recognize and interpret programs with
multiple interacting functions
Identify and solve programming errors through
established debugging strategies

Module 3:
Expanding Logical Recognize, interpret, and write programs using
Structures with while loops and for loops
Iteration
Apply indexes and slices to strings and lists to
access individual parts

Recognize, interpret, and write programs that

iterate through lists and strings with for loops

Evaluate provided test sets and write new test

sets to verify that the code works as expected

03 Programming with Python

 Module 4:
Recognize, interpret, and write programs with
Deeper Applications
nested loops
of Iteration
Recognize and interpret basic recursive
functions
Translate simple recursive algorithms to Python
functions

Module 5:
Interpret and write code using operators,
Applying Logic to
functions, and methods on strings and lists
Large Data Sets
Recognize and use common string and list
methods
Identify the differences between mutable and
immutable data types
Interpret documentation to find pre-existing
methods that fulfill specific needs

Module 6:
Identify whether a problem can be solved by
Algorithmic Thinking
following an algorithm or applying a pattern
and Problem Solving
Use top-down design to break up
medium-sized programming tasks into smaller
pieces, solving each piece individually
Apply general style principles to write readable
code

04 Programming with Python

 Module 7:
Express the efficiency of code snippets using
Practical Approaches
well-established standards of abstraction
to Efficiency
Recognize differences in algorithmic approaches
based on computational efficiency
Identify differences in basic data structures,
such as lists, sets, and dictionaries, based on
computational efficiency
Interpret and write code using operators,
functions, and methods on sets and dictionaries

Module 8:
Structuring Programs Recognize object-oriented programming
with Object-Oriented constructs, such as objects, classes, fields, and
Programming methods
Correctly structure code using object-oriented
programming constructs

Module 9:
Using Python Interpret and write code that reads and writes
Libraries for data from files in the computer system
Greater Productivity
Interpret and use components from the
documentation of Python libraries
Use online sources to find, compare, and install
Python libraries

Module 10:
Putting Things Recognize best industry practices for writing
Together: and managing large programs. Write a
Capstone Project medium-level program (300-500 lines) with
some level of guidance

05 Programming with Python

 Capstone Project
You will choose between multiple projects that use programming to
accomplish tasks in different domains. Project goals include linguistic
analysis of texts, comparison of DNA in genes, and data analysis of social
media posts.

Linguistic Analysis of Text:

A language model is a machine learning model that holds information about
how certain common words are used in a specific author's books. You will
build and test your own language model based on the works of two famous
authors, Andersen and the Brothers Grimm, and will use the language model
you create to generate text that is like their texts and compare how often
they used different words and phrases using visualizations.

Comparison of DNA:
In this project, you will use data analysis to process and analyze DNA
sequences in humans and elephants for the p53 gene, which is used to
suppress cancer in organisms. This will help you identify what they have in
common and how they are different with statistics and visualizations.
Note: Basic knowledge of DNA/RNA/proteins is helpful for this project but
not required.

Data Analysis of Social Media Posts:

You will use the pandas data analysis library to analyze a dataset that maps
Twitter and Facebook posts made by politicians over a two-day period to
collect information about the text's bias, partisanship, and message intent.
You will use sentiment analysis to add additional data on message sentiment
and compare politicians across several vectors, then visualize the results.

06 Programming with Python

 Program Experience

Office Hours with The Carnegie Mellon

Learning Facilitators
School of Computer
Science Difference
Demonstrations
Expertise
Instructors who are experts in
Coding Exercises in their fields blend thought
Each Module leadership with practical
experience

Bite-Sized Learning Integration

The ability to develop a suite of
interconnected learning modules
that leverage resources from
Knowledge Checks across Carnegie Mellon
University School of Computer
Science
Dedicated Program
Support Team Reputation
A globally recognized leader in
academic research
Mobile Learning App

Peer Discussion

Capstone Project

Bonus Content on
Advanced Topics

07 Programming with Python

 Program Faculty

Kelly Rivers
Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Computer
Science, Carnegie Mellon University
An assistant teaching professor at the School
of Computer Science, Kelly Rivers teaches
introductory programming, including
“Principles of Computing,” “Fundamentals of
Programming,” and “Computer Science.”

Her academic interests include data-driven tutoring, computer science

education research, and adaptive educational technologies.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science and a

master’s in human computer interaction from Carnegie Mellon University
and a Ph.D. from the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie
Mellon University.

Anil Ada
Associate Teaching Professor, School of Computer
Science, Carnegie Mellon University
Anil Ada is an expert in theoretical computer science,
teaching “Fundamentals of Programming and
Computer Science” and “Great Ideas in Theoretical
Computer Science” as an associate teaching professor
at the School of Computer Science.

Within theoretical computer science, his academic interests include the

inherent limitations of computers and computation, communication
complexity, circuit complexity, analysis of Boolean functions and matrices,
pseudorandomness vs. randomness in computer science and
mathematics, and additive combinatorics.

A native of Istanbul, he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and

computer science and a master's degree and Ph.D. in computer science
from McGill University in Montreal.

08 Programming with Python

 Certificate
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a
verified digital certificate of completion from Carnegie Mellon University
School of Computer Science Executive Education.

This document confirms that

[Recipient Name]
has successfully completed the program

Programming with Python

Ram Konduru Prof. Kelly Rivers & Prof. Anil Ada

Director of Executive Education Department of Computer Science

Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and emailed to you
at no additional cost upon completion of the program, per the stipulated
requirements. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and
may be subject to change at the discretion of CMU School of Computer
Science Executive Education.

09 Programming with Python

 About Carnegie
Mellon University’s
School of
Computer Science
The School of Computer
Science (SCS) at Carnegie
Mellon University is recognized
and respected internationally
as a center for unparalleled
research and education in
computer science. A home to
world-class faculty, SCS offers
undergraduate and graduate
About Emeritus
education and research
Carnegie Mellon University’s School of
opportunities that are second
Computer Science is collaborating
to none, along with executive
with online education provider
education programs designed
Emeritus to offer a portfolio of
for professionals who work in a
high-impact online programs. By
variety of technical leadership
working with Emeritus, we are able to
roles. SCS is known for being at
broaden access beyond our
the forefront of — often setting
on-campus offerings in a collaborative
the course for — advanced
and engaging format that stays true
computer science disciplines,
to the quality expected from the CMU
including artificial intelligence,
School of Computer Science Executive
computational biology,
Education.
human-computer interaction,
language technologies,
The Emeritus approach to learning is
machine learning, robotics, and
grounded in a cohort-based design to
software research.
maximize peer-to-peer sharing and
includes live teaching with world-class
faculty and hands-on project-based
learning. In the last year, more than
100,000 students from over 80
countries have benefited
professionally from Emeritus courses.

10 Programming with Python

 DURATION
10 Weeks

FORMAT
Online

PROGRAM FEE
US$2,500

CONNECT WITH A
PROGRAM ADVISOR

Email: CMUSCS@emeritus.org
Phone: +1 412-314-2432

Easily schedule a call with a program advisor to

learn more

SCHEDULE A CALL

You can enroll in the program here

ENROLL