Delivered at:: Department of Economics

Course type:: Compulsory course

When:: 2 year, 1, 2 module

Instructors

Волкова Юлия Михайловна

Ефимов Константин Дмитриевич

Manichev, Gennadii

Omelyash, Kseniya

Юртаева Яна Николаевна

Full Syllabus

Abstract

Python is an interpreted high-level general-purpose programming language. It is a simple language for beginners to learn, though it is powerful enough for writing large applications. This 2-module course is an introduction to the Python programming language. The average time to complete this course depends on the student’s background. To complete the course, students are supposed to have mathematical skills at the high school level. Students’ academic performance is evaluated using programming assignments: regular tests, weekly homeworks and a graded seminar. Also there is one mid-semester exam and final exam. The examples and problems used in this course cover such areas as basic syntax rules, file input and output, creation of custom user functions. This course does not provide lectures, all theoretical material is given during seminars.

Learning Objectives

Understand basic syntax rules, data types, built-in constructions
Use Python to create own functions and work with files
Form a basis for further use of Python as a means of data analysis

Expected Learning Outcomes

Student can explain basic principles of Python programming language
Student can create scripts for automating processes
Students can read and understand simple scripts

Course Contents

Topic 1. Basic of Python programming
Topic 2. Boolean data type and IF conditions
Topic 3. Strings and string methods
Topic 4. Lists, Tuples and its methods
Topic 5. WHILE loops
Topic 6. FOR loops
Topic 7. Text files
Topic 8. Dictionaries, sets
Topic 9. Nested data structures. Sorting
Topic 10. Functions
Topic 11. Functions 2
Topic 12. Recap

Assessment Elements

Regular tests
Paper-based, closed book regular tests are conducted every week at the beginning of the seminar. The duration of each test is approximately 5-10 min. The grade is announced no later than a day before the next class. Cannot be retaken
Homeworks
Given out every week after corresponding seminars. Students have one calendar week to complete the assignment. Each Homework cannot be retaken regardless of the reason for absence. The maximum grade for each Homework is 10, including tasks that check an outstanding student performance. Realized through Smart LMS platform, moodle sandbox environment. The grade is published no later than 5 workdays after the deadline.
Graded Seminar
Graded Seminar tasks covers all topics from seminars. Smart LMS platform, moodle sandbox environment. All questions are divided into three sections: 1. Test section, where students need to select the right option from the list / insert the correct answer / put parts of code in the right order, etc.; 2. Practical section I, where students are expected to solve simple tasks with the solution that takes only a few lines; 3. Practical section II where students are expected to solve more complex tasks that require writing code in Python. The length is 2 academic hours (1h 20m). Maximum sum of points for the Graded Seminar is 10. Graded Seminar cannot be retaken regardless of the reason for absence.
Mid-term Exam
Mid-term covers all topics from the Syllabus (the first module). Mid-term consists of several paper-based tasks. The Mid-term is open-book: any amount of paper-based materials is allowed (printed or hand-written). During the Mid-term the cheating is strongly prohibited: the use of additional electronic resources/devices are prohibited; talking to the other students is also prohibited. In case of the rules violation the student gets zero points for the Mid-term. The length is 2 academic hours (1h 20m). The maximum grade is 10.
Exam
Exam is not blocking. Exam covers all topics from the Syllabus. The length is 2 academic hours (1h 20m). Exam consists of several paper-based tasks. The Exam is open-book: any amount of paper-based materials is allowed (printed or hand-written). During the Exam the cheating is strongly prohibited: the use of additional electronic resources/devices are prohibited; talking to the other students is also prohibited. In case of the rules violation the student gets zero points for the Exam.

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 2nd module
The final grade for the course is calculated using the formula: 0.1 ∗ regular tests + 0.2 ∗ mid-term exam + 0.3 ∗ homework + 0.1 ∗ graded seminar + 0.3 ∗ exam, where regular tests - the arithmetic mean of all the seminar tests' scores received during the course (maximum 10 points); mid-term exam - score recieved for the mid-term exam (maximum 10 points); homework - the arithmetic mean of all the homeworks' scores received during the course (maximum 10 points); graded seminar- score recieved for the final graded seminar (is held at the end of the course; maximum 10 points); exam - score recieved for the final exam.

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

9781491912140 - Vanderplas, Jacob T. - Python Data Science Handbook : Essential Tools for Working with Data - 2016 - O'Reilly Media - https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1425081 - nlebk - 1425081

Recommended Additional Bibliography

9781785284571 - Romano, Fabrizio - Learning Python - 2015 - Packt Publishing - http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1133614 - nlebk - 1133614

Authors

BRODSKAYA NATALYA NIKOLAEVNA
VOLKOVA Iuliia Mikhailovna

Bachelor’s Programme 'International Bachelor's in Business and Economics'

Contacts:

Introduction to Python for Data Science