Introduction to Python



Python is a programming language that is wide-spread among scientists due to its readability and powerful standard libraries. This practical course teaches Python to students with prior experience in other programming languages. In addition to introducing the language itself, we will focus on scientific computing including vectors and matrices as well as data processing and mild machine learning. During the second week, participants will implement a project in Python.

Lecturers

Details

Course type
Lab courses
Credits
3 CP
Term
Summer Term 2023

Dates

Lab course
Takes place every day from 10:30 to 16:30 in room ID 03/411.
First appointment is on 18.09.2023
Last appointment is on 29.09.2023

Requirements

We expect fluency in one other programming language and familiarity with concepts like

  • control structures
  • data types
  • functions
  • object-oriented programming

These concepts will not be taught separately.

Furthermore, the course will be taking place in a room without PCs, meaning that students are required to use their own laptops during the course.

Language

The official language of the course is English, and the exams will be given in English.

Content

  • Python basics: syntax, interpreter, control structures, data types, OOP
  • Scientific computing: NumPy, Matplotlib, scikit-learn
  • Project: realization of a project in Python

Grading

Grading is based on the project in the second week. If crucial components of Python are not covered in your project, we might also test your knowledge on the subject.

Enrollment

Students from the study programs Computer Science and Applied Computer Science (Faculty of Computer Science) can register via Moodle (course from the study advisory team) until 10.02.23. Registration for the remaining places is possible until 10.03.23 by mail to dekanat-ai@rub.de.

For students of other study programs the following applies:

  • Enroll by sending an email to python@ini.rub.de with the info below.

Enrollment period: June 1 to 24, 2023.
During this time, spots will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

We only have a limited number of seats. Bachelor's students of "Angewandte Informatik" will be treated with priority as participation in one of the programming courses is mandatory for them.

In your mail please include:

  • name
  • student ID number (Matrikelnummer)
  • study program and semester (e.g., "Bachelor Angewandte Informatik PO13, 3rd semester")
  • A short explanation about your coding experience (one or two sentences)

About the INI

The Institut für Neuroinformatik (INI) is a central research unit of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. We aim to understand the fundamental principles through which organisms generate behavior and cognition while linked to their environments through sensory systems and while acting in those environments through effector systems. Inspired by our insights into such natural cognitive systems, we seek new solutions to problems of information processing in artificial cognitive systems. We draw from a variety of disciplines that include experimental approaches from psychology and neurophysiology as well as theoretical approaches from physics, mathematics, electrical engineering and applied computer science, in particular machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision.

Contact

Universitätsstr. 150, Building NB, Room 3/32
D-44801 Bochum, Germany

Tel: (+49) 234 32-28967
Fax: (+49) 234 32-14210

sekretariat@ini.rub.de
www.ini.rub.de