*Please note: This is the syllabus from the 2021/22 academic year and subject to change.*
Description
Python is a general-purpose programming language that is used in many application areas, including web
development, scientific computing, graphical user interfaces, systems programming, gaming, rapid prototyping,
data mining, and more. This course provides a thorough overview of the Python 3 language with an emphasis
on writing idiomatic code in Python and object-oriented design patterns and is suitable for students with some
prior programming experience. We will develop an understanding of the core features of the languages and gain
exposure to commonly used standard-library and third-party modules.
Course Format
Weekly classes will provide lectures, programming examples, and code review from previous assignments.
Eight multi-part assignments will be given with one week for completion. A midterm and final examination will
also be given.
You are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop to class to follow along with examples interactively.
Outline
- Week 1: Types, operations, statements, and syntax
- Week 2: Functions, generators, and scope
- Week 3: Classes and objects
- Week 4: The Python data model
- Week 5: Decorators and dynamic attributes
- Week 6: Packaging and distribution (Mid-term)
- Week 7: Testing, debugging, logging, and documentation
- Week 8: Scientific computing stack
- Week 9: Parallelism and concurrency
- Week 10: Special topics
Textbooks
While there are no required textbooks for this course, the following books may be useful for reference:
- Learning Python, by Mark Lutz
- Fluent Python, by Luciano Ramalho
- Python in a Nutshell, by Martelli, Ravenscroft, and Holden
- Python Essential Reference, by David Beazley