Maastricht, Netherlands

Python from Zero to Hero Part 1

In this Python course, you will be introduced to Python, a pythonic way of working and thinking, and to web scraping—a powerful method to collect born-digital data for your (scientific) research projects.
Python is currently the most popular programming language in the world, according to the TIOBE Index (www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index/). TIOBE ranks programming languages by popularity, and Python has been five times the “language of the year” and is steady in the top 3 since 2018. Python is such a versatile language that it can be used for a wide variety of applications, such as app and web development, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, game development, and much more.
In this course, no prior knowledge of Python is required—we will start at the absolute basis. You will be gradually trained from scratch. We will start with the very basic steps, including getting to know the Python language and its grammar up until a hackathon exercise in which you will collaboratively build your web scraper.
This course is offered in tandem with “Python from Zero to Hero Part 2,” which builds further on the skills and knowledge built in this course.

Course leader

Dr. Thomas Frissen

Target group

This course is the first module of a Maastricht Summer School series on Python for (scientific) research. It organically prepares participants for the skills and knowledge taught in the part 2 course. Both modules can be followed independently.

In case participants wish to follow only this first part of the series, no prior knowledge of the Python Programming Language is required. Participants would benefit from prior experience in research skills and basis knowledge.

Course aim

• Building a solid foundation for Python programming and getting well-prepared for further projects or advanced activities in Python.
• Getting an immersive introduction to Python as a programming language.
• Developing an in-depth and hands-on understanding of the different Pythonic concepts, including (but not limited to):
- Variables, data types, data structures, and operators
- Control Structures (e.g., if-else statements) and Loops (e.g., for-loops and while-loops)
- Functions and Modules
• Building a capacity to integrate these concepts into your Python application for web scraping.
• Getting familiar with a digital and pythonic workflow, including file handling.
• Developing basic knowledge of HTML and web scraping.

Fee info

EUR 599: Tuition fee