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Welcome to Geo-Python 2017!

Geo-Python -course teaches you the basic concepts of programming using Python programming language that is easy to learn and understand (no previous programming experience required). Each lesson is a tutorial with specific topic(s) where the aim is to gain skills and understanding how to solve common data-related tasks using Python programming (see schedule & learning goals).

Course format

The majority of this course will be spent in front of a computer learning to program in the Python language and working on exercises. During Teaching Period I, the Automating GIS processes and Introduction to Quantitative Geology courses will meet together and focus on learning the basic concepts of programming using Python programming language.

The computer exercises will focus on developing basic programming skills using the Python language and applying those skills to various problems. Typical exercises will involve a brief introduction followed by topical computer-based tasks. At the end of the exercises, you may be asked to submit answers to relevant questions, some related plots, and/or Python codes you have written or used. You are encouraged to discuss and work together with other students on the laboratory exercises, however the laboratory summary write-ups that you submit must be completed individually and must clearly reflect your own work.

Schedule

The materials are divided into weekly themes that are published at these pages every Wednesday morning. Lessons are held with following schedule (see here for further details about schedule and lecture rooms). The learning goals for each lesson are separately documented in here.

Time Theme
Class 1
6.9.2017
Basic concepts of Python and computer programs
Class 2
13.9.2017
Diving into Python
Class 3
20.9.2017
Repeating tasks and making decisions
Class 4
27.9.2017
Creating and using functions
Class 5
4.10.2017
Data analysis with Pandas Part I
Class 6
11.10.2017
Data analysis with Pandas Part II + Dealing with errors
Class 7
18.10.2017
Basics of data visualization

Open Access!

The course is open for everyone. The aim of this course is to share the knowledge and help people to get started with their journey for doing science more efficiently and in a reproducible manner using Python programming.

Step by step instructions with cloud computing!

The materials are written in a way that you can follow them step by step exactly as they are written, as long as you use the cloud computing resources that we provide for you (unfortunately for Uni. Helsinki people only). Read more about our cloud computing environment from here. If you work from your own computer, you need to adjust the file paths to the data accordingly.

For teachers

If you would like to use these materials for your own teaching or develop them further, we highly support that. Please read more about how to do it from our licensing terms.