MPCS 51042 Python Programming (Winter 2025)

Section 1
Instructor(s) Troy, Chelsea (ctroy)
Location Online
Meeting Times Wednesday 2:30pm - 5:20pm
Fulfills Core Programming

Syllabus

Course Overview [WATCH VIDEO]

 

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.

Course Overview

  • Python Basics: types, variable, operations, control flow, iteration
  • Functions, recursion, generators and scope
  • Classes, objects, OOP programming
  • Decorators and dynamic attributes
  • The Python Data Model
  • Modules, packages, & distribution
  • Data structures in Python (lists, stacks, hash tables, queues, trees)
  • An overview of the Python Standard library & ecosystem.
  • Scientific computing and data manipulation (pandas, numpy, etc)


Textbooks

While there are no required textbooks for this course, the following books may be useful for reference:

  • Python Distilled (1st Edition) -or- Python Essential Reference (4th Edition), by David Beazley
  • Learning Python (5th Edition), by Mark Lutz
  • Fluent Python (2nd Edition), by Luciano Ramalho (1st Edition OK)
  • Python in a Nutshell (3rd Edition), by Martelli, Ravenscroft, and Holden

Course Prerequisites

MPCS 50101 Concepts of Programming, or a PASS on MPCS Programming Placement Exam I, or a Core Waiver for Programming.

Other Prerequisites

This course requires competency in Unix and Linux. If you attended the MPCS Unix Bootcamp you covered the required material. If you did not, please review the UChicago CS Student Resource Guide here: https://uchicago-cs.github.io/student-resource-guide/.

CAPP, MACSS and MSME students interested in taking this class should talk with their program's advisor.

Course request information for non-MPCS students: https://masters.cs.uchicago.edu/student-resources/non-mpcs-student-course-requests/

Overlapping Classes

This class is scheduled at a time that conflicts with these other classes:

  • MPCS 52060-1 -- Parallel Programming

Eligible Programs

MS in Molecular Engineering Bx/MS in Computer Science (Option 3: Profesionally-oriented - Non-CS Majors) Masters Program in Computer Science Masters Program in Computer Science (Immersion)