Gentle hands-on introduction to Python programming
6 online meetings + Self-learning hours
General context
This is a self-paced course that gently introduces programming to new programmers over a 6 week period. There are plenty of opportunities to practice what you learn and ask questions in a safe place. Furthermore, surprise yourself by building a substantial project.
Each week there are some OPTIONAL online interactive “lab” sessions for Q&A and problem solving. The 5 lab sessions will be live, but more may be scheduled with our trainers at different times or in-person depending on your needs.
Contact Bruna Piereck or James Collier if you have any questions regarding the course, see e-mails below.
You will receive an email before the course opens, this email will contain all the information you need to begin the course.
Important: You are required to follow at least 75% of this self-paced course in order to receive your certificate of successful completion.
08/May release to 12/Jun (online meetings)
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Understand some fundamental programming concepts
- Understand Python programs written by your colleagues
- Make useful changes to existing Python programs
- Write new, useful Python programs
- Take more advanced Python courses
This course is aimed at people with no programming skills or experience. Those who want to learn Python but have experience with other languages are welcome but you may find the course slow going.
If you’re already familiar with Python and want to improve your skills in a particular area please register for a more specialized course such as the.data analysis, the machine learning or the deep learning training.
Trainers
James Collier
I am a software engineer with over 10 years of professional experience on systems ranging from tiny embedded medical microchips, through to web applications and high-performance supercomputers. I grew up in a small town in rural Australia then completed a PhD at Monash University applying information compression to the protein structural alignment problem. Now I live in the Netherlands with my lovely wife and three children. Currently, I work for VIB Technologies building web applications. You can find out more about me here: https://james.thecolliers.xyz/
Nina Buchina
Nina Buchina is a software engineer currently working in a field of robotics in the Netherlands. She completed a MSc program in Mathematics and Computer Science at the Eindhoven Technical University. Nina lives near Eindhoven and raises a beautiful cat.
Bruna Piereck
Bruna Piereck is a bioinformatics trainer at VIB and ELIXIR-BE training coordinator deputy. She obtained a Master and PhD degree in Molecular Genetics, with a focus on Bioinformatics from the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, in 2019. During her PhD, she had the chance to collaborate with the university of Luxembourg and the McGill university in Quebec Canada for a short time. Ever since she has been involved with teaching and research and Since March 2022, she joined VIB with the mission of teaching and assist other trainers in a variety of topics.
Program
You will receive an email before the course opens, this email will contain all the information you need to begin the course.
You can complete the course at a pace you are comfortable with and attend the live “lab” sessions as you need to. These lab sessions are optional and you may attend at any time.
There are 5 scheduled lab sessions you can attend, one each week:
08/May - Material Release
15/May - Q&A and "Lab" session 1 (9h30 - 12h00)
22/May - Q&A and "Lab" session 2 (9h30 - 12h00)
29/May - Q&A and "Lab" session 3 (9h30 - 12h00)
05/Jun - Q&A and "Lab" session 4 (9h30 - 12h00)
12/Jun - Q&A and "Lab" session 5 (9h30 - 12h00)
Practical info
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Technologiepark 75
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
From Ghent Sint-Pieters station, you can take a bus to Technologiepark. Please check Routeplanner De Lijn for schedules.
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Looking for a custom cycling route? Try the online cycling route planner to easily and quickly identify the fastest, safest and/or most scenic route to any destination in Ghent.
Cycling route planner
Shared bicycles:
Several providers are active in the area.
Take a look at their platforms:
- Indigo Weel Pro app
- Bluebike
- DOTT
- BOLT eBikes
- Donkey Republic
There are also some public bicycle pumps at the park.
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
There is only one entrance to Technologiepark. At the entrance, please take a ticket - Parking is only allowed in regular parking spots (for instance in front of the building) and in the parking tower. Parking alongside the roads or in other places where there is no regular parking is prohibited.