RC Python Workshop Series (Fall 2018)

Instructor:

Nick Featherstone 303-735-2102
ARC 677

Date & Time:

Thursdays 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Location:

Norlin Library Room E206 (CRDDS)

Description:

This workshop series will provide a brief overview of Python programming and some research-useful Python packages. This course will not cover “how to program;" attendees are expected to have introductory-level experience in at least one other programming language.

Prerequisites

The lessons in this course are interactive in nature. In order to particpate, you will need a laptop with a working Python installation and the following Python packages installed: NumPy, Matplotlib, Mayavi, H5Py, F2Py, and Cython.

The most straightforward way to install this software is via the Conda environment manager. Please refer to the software_installation.pdf file in this repository for instructions on installing Conda, Python, and the necesssary packages. If you need one-on-one help with the installation process, please drop by during the optional, September 20th session. Alternatively, feel free to send me an email, and we can set up a time to meet in my office (ARC 677; east campus).

Part 1: Python Essentials

Sep. 20:  Python installation help (optional; walk-in)
Oct.   4:  Overview, 'Hello World!,' variables and assignment
Oct. 11:  Conditionals, functions
Oct. 18:  Loops, lists, tuples, dictionaries
Oct. 25:  Objects, methods, modules
Nov.  1:  Package management via PiP and Conda

Part 2: Useful Python Packages

Nov.  8:  Efficient Python programming with NumPy
Nov. 15:  Plotting with Matplotlib
Nov. 29:  3-D Rendering with Mayavi
Dec.  6:   H5Py
Dec. 13:  Mixing compiled code with Python (F2Py and Cython)

Reference Material:

How to Think Like a Computer Scientist (FREE online text)
Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science (textbook)