This course is an introduction to programming in Python 3 for people with little or no previous programming experience. You will learn basic concepts and tools within Python, and how to manage your data. The course is built around a common scientific task: data analysis.
Difficulty rating: ★★☆☆ Beginner
Who is it for?
Both research staff and research students
Summary of the topics covered
- Install Python on your own machine
- Create Jupyter Notebooks and navigate the interface
- Understand Python variables and data types
- Read tabular data into Pandas DataFrames
- Explore DataFrames with Pandas
- Make a range of plots using Matplotlib
- Understand how to create, save, and re-run programs
Prerequisites
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Learners need to understand what files and directories are, what a working directory is, and how to start a Python interpreter.
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Learners must install Python 3 before the class starts.
Frequency
3 times a year
Duration
6 hours (over 2 half days)
Next course
Tuesday 28th (10:00 - 13:00) and Wednesday 29th (13:00 - 16:00) October 2025 (attend both days)
Book here
Can't attend?
Course materials: https://swcarpentry.github.io/python-novice-gapminder/
You can see a recording of a previous course in Canvas - https://canvas.bham.ac.uk/enroll/TRPBDB
Help with Python
If you need help with using Python, you can contact our Research Software Group for advice. Or you can raise a ServiceDesk ticket with us, or attend one of our drop-in sessions.