Dr. Emily Carter
Lead Instructor, Department of Computer Science, University of Chicago
Dr. Carter is a renowned computer scientist with over 15 years of experience in teaching programming to beginners. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from MIT and has published numerous articles on programming education.
Course Overview
Welcome to the "Introduction to Programming" course at NovaLearn! This course is designed for individuals with little to no prior programming experience. You'll learn the fundamental concepts of programming, including variables, data types, control structures, and functions. By the end of this course, you'll be able to write simple programs and understand the basic principles behind more complex software.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the basic concepts of programming.
- Learn how to write code using a popular programming language (Python).
- Develop problem-solving skills through coding exercises.
- Build a strong foundation for further programming studies.
Course Modules
- Introduction to Programming Concepts: What is programming? Why is it important?
- Setting Up Your Development Environment: Installing Python and a code editor.
- Variables and Data Types: Working with numbers, strings, and booleans.
- Control Structures: Making decisions with if statements and loops.
- Functions: Writing reusable code blocks.
- Working with Data Structures: Lists and dictionaries.
- Object-Oriented Programming Basics: Introduction to classes and objects.
- Debugging and Error Handling: Finding and fixing errors in your code.
- Final Project: Building a simple application to apply what you've learned.
Prerequisites
No prior programming experience is required. Basic computer literacy is helpful.
Course Schedule
This course is self-paced, allowing you to learn at your own speed. Each module includes video lectures, reading materials, and coding exercises.
Assessment
Your understanding of the material will be assessed through quizzes, coding assignments, and a final project.
Detailed Curriculum
Module 1: Introduction to Programming Concepts
This module introduces the fundamental concepts of programming and its importance in today's world. We'll explore different programming paradigms and the role of programmers.
Module 2: Setting Up Your Development Environment
Learn how to set up your computer with the necessary tools for Python development, including installing Python and a code editor like VS Code or Sublime Text.
Module 3: Variables and Data Types
This module covers variables, data types (integers, floats, strings, booleans), and how to work with them in Python. You'll learn how to perform basic operations with these data types.
Module 4: Control Structures
Learn how to control the flow of your program using conditional statements (if, elif, else) and loops (for, while). This is crucial for creating programs that make decisions.
Module 5: Functions
Discover how to write reusable blocks of code called functions. Functions help you organize your code and avoid repetition.
Module 6: Working with Data Structures
Explore fundamental data structures such as lists and dictionaries. Learn how to store and manipulate collections of data effectively.
Module 7: Object-Oriented Programming Basics
Get a taste of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) by learning about classes and objects. This module introduces the core principles of OOP.
Module 8: Debugging and Error Handling
Learn essential debugging techniques and how to handle errors in your code gracefully. This skill is invaluable for any programmer.
Module 9: Final Project
Apply everything you've learned by building a simple application. This project will solidify your understanding of programming concepts.
Course Benefits
- Gain a solid foundation in programming fundamentals.
- Learn a popular and versatile programming language (Python).
- Develop problem-solving skills.
- Prepare for more advanced programming courses.
- Boost your career prospects in the tech industry.
Testimonials
"This course was a game-changer for me! I had no programming experience before, but now I feel confident in my ability to write code."
"Dr. Carter is an excellent instructor. She explains complex concepts in a clear and concise way. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn programming."
Course Schedule and Pricing
| Module | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Programming Concepts | 1 Week | $99 |
| Setting Up Your Development Environment | 1 Week | $99 |
| Variables and Data Types | 2 Weeks | $199 |
| Control Structures | 2 Weeks | $199 |
| Functions | 2 Weeks | $199 |
| Working with Data Structures | 2 Weeks | $199 |
| Object-Oriented Programming Basics | 2 Weeks | $199 |
| Debugging and Error Handling | 1 Week | $99 |
| Final Project | 2 Weeks | $249 |
| Full Course | 15 Weeks | $1599 |