Python is one of the most in-demand programming languages, allowing you to pursue a career in various fields, including software engineering, data analysis, software development, and research analysis.
edX is one of the best platforms to learn python. It offers comprehensive modules that cover beginner and advanced knowledge, making it suitable for learners of ever level.
To help you choose a course and get started, we’ve listed the bext Python courses on edX.
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How to Choose the Best Python Courses
When deciding on a python course, there are a few aspects you want to consider:
- Convenience. Before you decide on a course, look at how much time you have available to study and how long you want to study before you complete the course.
- Complexity Level. Your edX course should match your current Python knowledge. Entry-level programs should allow you to follow the curriculum without any prior experience, whereas advanced modules shouldn’t focus too much on the basics.
- Projects. The best way to learn Python is to complete projects. Your edX course should enable you to apply your knowledge through various tasks and projects, as they accurately mimic real-life workplace requirements. The more assignments you complete, the more comfortable you’ll be with this programming language.
- Access to Resources. A well-designed edX Python course should provide access to all the content you’ll need to learn this skill. The may include multimedia materials, manuals, and presentations.
7 Best Python Courses on edX
Let’s look at the Python courses you should consider first if you want to learn on edX.
1. Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming
- Cost: Free (Audit Track); $149 (Verified Track)
- Duration: 5 weeks
- Qualification: Certificate of completion
This course was created by Georgia Tech and is ideal for most students, even those with limited programming knowledge.
The curriculum takes a specialized approach that covers general and functional Python programming. Learners will also work through 2-3-minute videos that cover programming problems and their accompanying solutions.
Upon successful completion, you will be able to develop small Python programs using variables, logic, and mathematical operators. For instance, you could create apps that calculate interest rates, recommend outfit options according to weather patterns, or grades based on percentages.
2. Computational Thinking Using Python
- Cost: $150
- Duration: 5 months
- Qualification: Certificate of completion
Designed by MIT, this XSeries program is made up of two courses that will gradually develop your Python skills with challenging yet appropriate projects. These courses are Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science and Computational Thinking Using Python.
These two courses will show you how to use computer science as a tool to solve real-world analytical problems using the Python programming language and how to use computation to understand real-world phenomena.
The two courses require some prior Python programming knowledge and a basic understanding of computational complexity. High school algebra is also highly recommended to fully benefit from this program.
3. Programming for Everybody – Getting Started with Python
- Cost: Free (Audit Track); $49 (Verified Track)
- Duration: 7 weeks
- Qualification: Certificate of completion
The University of Michigan created this course to help students understand the fundamentals of Python. It covers all the basics, including variables, conditional execution, functions, and code reuse.
Along with weekly lessons, the intructors will also provide you with homework assignments to test your skills. Students can choose to access this course from their desktop or mobile devices, however, the assignments are easier to complete on a desktop computer.
4. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python
- Cost: Free (Audit Track); $75 (Verified Track)
- Duration: 9 weeks
- Qualification: Certificate of completion
High school algebra and a reasonable aptitude for mathematics is all you need to enroll in this Python course.
Many students use this course as a stepping stone to more advanced programs. It involves lecture exercises, videos, and problem-solving with Python 3.5.
This course takes a broad approach and briefly introduces you to a large number of topics to give you an idea of what you can accomplish with Python in your career.
Still, this doesn’t mean you won’t put your Python skills to the test. Challenging assignments are also included to help prepare you for real-life projects.
5. Visualizing Data with Python
- Cost: Free (Audit Track); $99 (Verified Track)
- Duration: 5 weeks
- Qualification: Certificate of completion
A key part of being a data scientist is being able to visualize data, which is what this IBM course will teach you.
The program teaches you how to extract information, understand many crucial processes, and make effective decisions. Another highlight is learning how to visualize geospatial data and create maps.
The lessons also mention a bevy of libraries, including Folium, Seaborn, and Matplotlib.
This course is ideal for students with some Python programming knowledge and those who want to move on from basic tools and concepts.
What’s more, signing up for this course grants you access to IBM Watson Studio, which lets you create your own data science projects and collaborate with other developers.
6. Analyzing Data with Python
- Cost: Free (Audit Track); $99 (Verified Track)
- Duration: 5 weeks
- Qualification: Certificate of completion
Created by IBM, this course that teaches you to use DataFrames, Numpy multi-dimensional arrays, Pandas, and SciPy libraries.
You get to leverage open-source libraries to load, analyze, and manipulate interactive datasets.
The course also touches on machine learning through an open-source library called scikit-learn. It introduces you to powerful algorithms, allowing you to make predictions and create smart models.
Furthermore, the instructors will help you import your data sets and prepare them for analysis. They’ll also explain how to summarize data, create data pipelines, and visualize your datasets.
7. Machine Learning with Python for Finance Professionals
- Cost: Free (Audit Track); $199 (Verified Track)
- Duration: 5 weeks
- Qualification: Certificate of completion
Machine Learning with Python for Finance Professionals was developed by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). This is a global body for licensed accountants, and their course is geared toward aspiring financial experts.
This course introduces you to Python without overwhelming you with complex coding. You’ll learn to perform initial setup and understand vital basic concepts, such as mathematical operators, functions, flow control, and variables.
As you make headway, you’ll learn how to use Python to analyze data. The instructors demonstrate how to load your data from a variety of sources and drill it down. This data is then used to create aggregations and explore visualization libraries.
Microsoft Excel is another major part of this course. You’ll discover how to automate Excel workflows with Python to develop macros you can run with a single click. Plus, some sections deal with creating template reports that can be updated with data in real-time.
Climb the Career Ladder with Python
If you want to improve your chances of landing a remunerative job, you can’t go wrong with taking Python courses online. edX is a top choice for learning this programming language since most courses cover all the fundamentals before moving on to more complex tasks. Whether you’re into data analysis, coding, or financial calculations, edX Python courses won’t let you down.