Python fundamentals - 4-day sequence

This Python workshop is pitched at newcomers who need an "on-ramp" to scientific computing. We'll complete 8 sessions over 4 days. Please sign up only if you'll commit to attending all the sessions, since we have really limited space for this offering.

If you learn the material in this workshop, you should be ready for the Berkeley Python bootcamp August 26-28. (You need to sign up for the Python bootcamp separately.)

This is a first iteration of D-Lab's fall offerings in Python. Our team considered the feedback from last year's D-Lab students and also did some self-teaching using Code Academy. We've designed this workshop around what worked in those experiences, while addressing some of the difficulties past students have had.

Topics:

• What is Python, Python Syntax, Strings and Console
• Conditionals and Control Flow
• Functions
• Lists and Dictionaries
• Lists and Functions
• Loops
• Classes/Objects
• File Input and Output

Format for each session:

• 1 hour direct instruction with "call and response" – The instructor does short presentations including an interactive element in which students type example commands into the interpreter
• 2 hours self-paced Code Academy work – Students do activities from codeacademy.com, instructors(s) available for questions. 

Each day we'll do one morning session (9 a.m.-noon) and one afternoon session (1-4 p.m.). In between we'll take a lunch break. Feel free to bring a lunch.

The course website is on bSpace. When accessing for the first time, you need to join the bSpace site. If you don't have a CalNet ID, contact davclark@berkeley.edu to ask for guest access.