DO NOT DELETE THIS SECTION
Introduction to Programming in Python
CS104 | 3 Credits
Get an introduction to programming in Python while learning the core programming concepts including variables, data types, control structures, and functions before advancing to object-oriented programming with classes and inheritance.
Professor:
About Introduction to Programming in Python
What You’ll Learn
In our Introduction to Programming in Python online course, you will learn essential data structures like lists and dictionaries, file handling, exception management, and modular programming. Advanced topics include recursion, algorithm design for searching and sorting, and data visualization through plotting. You’ll also gain practical experience building programs that solve real-world problems while developing computational thinking skills. By course completion, you will be proficient in Python fundamentals and prepared for intermediate programming courses.
- Apply fundamental Python syntax and programming constructs to solve basic computational problems.
- Analyze data types and their appropriate usage in different programming contexts.
- Evaluate different conditional logic approaches to implement decision-making in programs.
- Create iterative solutions using various loop structures to process data and solve repetitive tasks.
- Design modular programs by implementing and utilizing functions with appropriate parameters and return values.
- Manipulate string and collection data structures (lists and dictionaries) to store, access, and process information.
- Construct object-oriented solutions using classes, inheritance, and encapsulation principles.
- Implement robust error handling and program modularity through exceptions and module organization.
- Synthesize file I/O operations with data processing techniques to create programs that interact with external data sources.
- Compare and implement fundamental algorithms including recursive solutions, searching, and sorting techniques, while visualizing results through plotting.
StraighterLine Courses Include:
-
Self-paced workload
-
Digital Textbooks
-
Transcript Delivery
-
Grade Improvement Opportunities
-
Interactive Modules
-
Video Lessons
-
24/7 Tutoring & Support
-
Access on Desktop and Mobile
Transfer Credit in 3 Easy Steps
Pick Your Course & Enroll
Getting started is simple — no applications, waitlists, or deadlines. Just create an account, choose your course, and start learning right away.
Every course is self-paced and fully online, so you can fit learning into your life — not the other way around. With support resources included and no hidden fees, you're in control from day one.
Go at Your Own Pace
No rigid schedules, no stress. Just real online college courses you can start anytime, anywhere, and finish on your own terms.
StraighterLine courses offer interactive lessons and assignments that help you understand and retain the material, and come with everything you need to stay on track and succeed — including digital textbooks, tutoring, and real people to support you on your journey to your degree.
Transfer Your Credits, Save Thousands on Tuition
Complete your course with a 70% or higher to make your credits eligible for transfer. Then head to your Student Dashboard, select “Request Transcript,” and tell us where to send it — we’ll take it from there at no additional cost.
Not sure whether your school accepts StraighterLine courses? Our Enrollment Specialists can find out for you!
Does My School Accept This Course?
We’ll find out for you. Students have successfully transferred StraighterLine course credits to 3,000+ schools. Our Enrollment Specialists will contact your college directly to confirm your credits will transfer, so you don’t have to.
WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
Introduction to Programming in Python teaches teaches you core programming concepts including variables, data types, control structures, and functions before advancing to object-oriented programming with classes and inheritance.
ACE-Recommended
ACE Code:
OOSL-0129
Flexible Schedule
29-day Average Course Completion
Transferred 8,500 Times
$1,500,000 Saved on I.T. Tuition
Prerequisites
There is no text for this course. All materials are included in the course fee.
Course Text
There is no text for this course. All materials are included in the course fee.
Course Checkpoints
Checkpoint 1: Introduction to Python
- Programming (general)
- Programming using Python
- Basic input and output
- Errors
- Integrated development environment
- Computers and programs (general)
- Computer tour
- Language history
- Why whitespace and precision matter
- Python example: Salary calculation
- Additional practice: Output art
Checkpoint 2: Variables and Expressions
- Variables and assignments
- Identifiers
- Objects
- Numeric types: Floating-point
- Arithmetic expressions
- Python expressions
- Division and modulo
- Module basics
- Math module
- Random numbers
- Representing text
- Additional practice: Number games
Checkpoint 3: Types
- String basics
- String formatting
- List basics
- Tuple basics
- Set basics
- Dictionary basics
- Common data types summary
- Additional practice: Grade calculation
- Type conversions
- Binary numbers
- Additional practice: Health data
Checkpoint 4: Branching
- If-else branches (general)
- Detecting equal values with branches
- Detecting ranges with branches (general)
- Detecting ranges with branches
- Detecting ranges using logical operators
- Detecting ranges with gaps
- Detecting multiple features with branches
- Comparing data types and common errors
- Membership and identity operators
- Order of evaluation
- Code blocks and indentation
- Conditional expressions
- Additional practice: Tweet decoder
Checkpoint 5: Loops
- Loops (general)
- While loops
- More while loop examples
- Counting
- For loops
- Counting using the range() function
- While vs. for loops
- Nested loops
- Developing programs incrementally
- Break and continue
- Loop else
- Getting both index and value when looping: enumerate()
- Additional practice: Dice statistics
Checkpoint 6: Functions
- User-defined function basics
- Print functions
- Dynamic typing
- Reasons for defining functions
- Writing mathematical functions
- Function stubs
- Functions with branches/loops
- Functions are objects
- Functions: Common errors
- Scope of variables and functions
- Namespaces and scope resolution
- Function arguments
- Keyword arguments and default parameter values
- Arbitrary argument lists
- Multiple function outputs
- Help! Using docstrings to document functions
- Engineering examples
Checkpoint 7: Strings
- String slicing
- Advanced string formatting
- String methods
- Splitting and joining strings
Checkpoint 8: Lists and Dictionaries
- Lists
- List methods
- Iterating over a list
- List games
- List nesting
- List slicing
- Loops modifying lists
- List comprehensions
- Sorting lists
- Command-line arguments
- Additional practice: Engineering examples
- Dictionaries
- Dictionary methods
- Iterating over a dictionary
- Dictionary nesting
Checkpoint 9: Classes
- Classes: Introduction
- Classes: Grouping data
- Instance methods
- Class and instance object types
- Class example: Seat reservation system
- Class constructors
- Class interfaces
- Class customization
- More operator overloading: Classes as numeric types
- Memory allocation and garbage collection
Checkpoint 10: Exceptions
- Handling exceptions using try and except
- Multiple exception handlers
- Raising exceptions
- Exceptions with functions
- Using finally to clean up
- Custom exception types
Checkpoint 11: Modules
- Modules
- Finding modules
- Importing specific names from a module
- Executing modules as scripts
- Reloading modules
- Packages
- Standard library
Checkpoint 12: Files
- Reading files
- Writing files
- Interacting with file systems
- Binary data
- Command-line arguments and files
- The “with” statement
- Comma separated values files
Checkpoint 13: Inheritance
- Derived classes
- Accessing base class attributes
- Overriding class methods
- Is-a versus has-a relationships
- Mixin classes and multiple inheritance
- Testing your code: The unittest module
Checkpoint 14: Recursion
- Recursive functions
- Recursive algorithm: Search
- Adding output statements for debugging
- Creating a recursive function
- Recursive math functions
- Recursive exploration of all possibilities
Checkpoint 15: Plotting
- Introduction to data science
- Data science life cycle
- Introduction to Python for data science
- Introduction to Jupyter Notebooks
- NumPy
- pandas
- Matplotlib
Checkpoint 16: Searching and Sorting Algorithms
- Searching and algorithms
- Binary search
- O notation
- Algorithm analysis
- Sorting: Introduction
- Selection sort
- Insertion sort
- Quicksort
- Merge sort
Assignments & Grading
Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Assignments for this course include:
- 16 Checkpoints
- 16 Benchmarks
What You’ll Need
- A reliable computer or laptop
- Stable internet connection
- Web browser
- Basic computer skills
- Scientific or graphing calculator
- Any required course materials
Your Academic Team
Your Faculty Team
We’re not just a platform — we’re a team of professional educators committed to your success. Our courses are built by academic professionals who are leaders in higher education, and your assignments are graded by real people who provide meaningful feedback so you can keep progressing.
Support Team
At StraighterLine, there are real people working behind the scenes to guide you through every course, quiz, and “I’m stuck” moment.
- Enrollment Services
- On-Demand Tutors
- Academic Advisors
- Tech Support
Course Professor
Tutoring & Career Resources
Your StraighterLine membership comes with the tools and guidance you need to thrive academically and take confident steps toward your career.
24/7 live, on-demand tutoring, access via chat or video
Exam and certification prep tools
Faculty Connect portal
24/7 live, on-demand tutoring, access via chat or video
Real, human feedback to help you ace your assignments
Exam and certification prep tools
Real, human feedback to help you ace your assignments
Professional development assistance
Resume-building resources
Professional development assistance
Faculty Connect portal
Resume-building resources
Students who enrolled also took:
Information Technology Fundamentals
1st attempt pass rate: 98%
Avg Days to Complete: 23
3 credits
TRY FOR FREE
Start Your Free Preview
Explore course content, your Student Dashboard, and all the features StraighterLine offers to support your success. No credit card, no commitment — see how easy it is to use StraighterLine.
Get Started FreeStudent Reviews
4.6
Transferred in 3 classes from StraighterLine to accredited university
I used Straighterline to take 3 classes (Intro to IT, Calculus, and Intro to C++) that I was able to transfer into an accredited Computer Science program. This service saved me a semester of tuition (a couple hundred bucks spent vs. a few thousand so that's a pretty good deal).
Loki, StraighterLine Student
Go at Your Own Speed Like I Did!
Going at my own pace has allowed me to complete two courses within a month while working on my third course at the same time. It’s super fast and easy. My school has already received my transcripts and approved the courses.
Brianna, StraighterLine Student
My Shortcut to My Degree & Career!
StraighterLine had a big impact on reducing the cost and length of time it took me to get my degree. Plus, I was able to get a full-time job in the industry I wanted to work in.
Kara, StraighterLine Student
Getting Started is Simple
The StraighterLine Advantage
Full flexibility, no timelines or deadlines ever.
Your own support team to get you to the finish line.
Unlimited course access so you can take as many courses as you need.
Transfer guaranteed to one of our 180+ partner schools, and accepted by 3,000+ schools nationwide.
How to Enroll in Introduction to Programming in Python
Select your course and click “Enroll Today”.
Create your account and finalize course purchase.
Start earning affordable college credits!
You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers
Why is StraighterLine so affordable?
StraighterLine offers a completely online learning experience, free from the high costs of traditional colleges and universities. By cutting out the institutional overhead, we pass the savings onto you (instead of extra costs) — providing top-quality courses at a price that fits with your budget
What is included in the price?
StraighterLine membership gives you access to over 75 self-paced online courses at a fraction of the price you’d pay through your school — meaning you’ll save up to 90% per course. But that’s not all — membership also comes with valuable extras at no extra cost, including academic advising, 24/7 on-demand tutoring, and free transcript delivery to your school
What is ACE, and why does it matter for transfer credits?
StraighterLine courses are recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE), a respected organization that helps colleges evaluate nontraditional learning for credit. If your school accepts ACE Credit recommendations, there’s a strong chance they’ll accept StraighterLine courses. Always check with your school’s registrar to confirm how transfer credits apply to your degree.
How do I transfer StraighterLine credit?
Transferring your StraighterLine credits is easy:
- Check with your school: If you’re enrolled at one of our 180+ partner colleges, your credits are guaranteed to transfer based on which of our courses your school has agreed to directly accept credit for. Plus, StraighterLine credits have also been accepted by over 3,000 colleges and universities, but it’s always a good idea to confirm your school’s transfer policies before enrolling in a course.
- Request your transcript: Once you complete a course with a 70% or higher, log into your StraighterLine account to request an official transcript. We’ll send it directly to your school at no extra cost.
- Apply your credit: Your school will review your transcript and apply eligibility credits toward your degree, helping you move forward on your academic journey.
Helpful Resources
SUPPORT
Need Help Enrolling?
Our Enrollment Specialists are here to help you get started.
BLOG ARTICLE
How Do StraighterLine Online Courses Work?
Find out what your online learning experience with StraighterLine will be like.
BLOG ARTICLE
Where Can You Transfer StraighterLine Credit?
An easy-to-understand guide on how to transfer StraighterLine credits.
BLOG ARTICLE
How StraighterLine Reduces Tuition Costs
See how StraighterLine has helped students save thousands on tuition.
Python & Your Career in Technology
Introduction to Programming in Python will give you experience with a versatile and widely used language that powers data analysis, automation, and software development. Learning Python fundamentals will give you the coding expertise needed for careers as a software developer, data analyst, or cybersecurity specialist in one of the fastest-growing and highest-demand tech fields.
Why it matters:
- Technology drives every industry, making IT one of the most secure career fields as we rely more on digital systems.
- Tech professionals have lower unemployment rates, even during broad economic fluctuations.
How this course sets you up for success:
Software Developer, Cybersecurity Analyst, IT Manager, Network Administrator, Systems Analyst, Cloud Engineer, Database Administrator, Web Developer, Information Security Specialist, and Computer Support Specialist
How this course sets you up for success:
Master Python basics while getting the skills you need for roles in software development, data analysis, and cybersecurity.
3 Credits
SCRIPT HERE DO NOT DELETE