About the Course
This course is designed to help students with very little or no computing background learn the basics of building simple interactive applications. Our language of choice, Python, is an easy-to learn, high-level computer language that is used in many of the computational courses offered on Coursera. To make learning Python easy, we have developed a new browser-based programming environment that makes developing interactive applications in Python simple. These applications will involve windows whose contents are graphical and respond to buttons, the keyboard and the mouse.
The primary method for learning the course material will be to work through multiple "mini-projects" in Python. To make this class enjoyable, these projects will include building fun games such as Pong, Blackjack, and Asteroids. When you’ve finished our course, we can’t promise that you will be a professional programmer, but we think that you will learn a lot about programming in Python and have fun while you’re doing it.
Course Syllabus
Our course syllabus can be seen at
www.codeskulptor.org/coursera/syllabus.html.
Recommended Background
High school mathematics
Course Format
Our course will last nine weeks. The lectures from each week will focus on the topics listed in the syllabus while an associated weekly “mini- project” will serve to reinforce these concepts in practice. Grades for these mini-projects will be determined via peer-assessment. The class will also include two quizzes each week to provide further feedback.
FAQ
Q: Will I get a certificate after completing this class?
A: Rice University does not award certificates or issue transcripts or other credentials for student work in this course. However, Coursera will maintain limited data regarding student progress and performance in this course and, with your permission, provide authorized third parties with access to such data.
Q: What resources will I need for this class?
A: The only requirement for the class is access to a modern web browser. All coding and program development will be done in a web-based programming environment that supports building interactive applications in Python. The programs that you create will be saved, shared and graded via the cloud.
Q: What is the coolest thing I'll learn if I take this class?
A: You’ll be able to build your own games in Python.