This is the last semester 'Introduction to Programming Using Python' will be offered; starting in the Spring, a new course, 'Python for MBAs' will be offered, and will be a requirement to take more advanced electives. To ensure first-year students do not find themselves in the position of having taken Python, but not being eligible to take more advanced classes, we are restricting this last iteration of 'Introduction to Programming Using Python' to second-year students. Much of the material covered in this class will now be covered in an optional weekend seminar that will be offered during the fall semester - we suggest you sign up for this seminar instead, and then take the more advanced 'Python for MBA' class in the Spring. Instructions on signing up for this seminar can be found in your orientation material; the sign up link here: https://forms.gle/nTXNFvJ191mqN4DJ9

This course is an introduction to programming with Python for total beginners. Python is a really popular language used by companies like Google, Facebook, Dropbox, Instagram, and Reddit. Python is used for all sorts of things like building websites, web scraping, data analysis, machine learning, and natural language processing. The language is designed to be easy to read, while still being very powerful, which makes it a great language for beginners to learn.

This class is an online/offline hybrid-course, meaning that students will complete a 90-minute video modules before coming to each week’s 90-minute in-person session.

In this course, we’ll be learning the basics of programming – variables, strings, lists, functions, and all that stuff – but we’ll be doing it with a focus on business use cases. You’ll learn how to write scripts that automate tedious tasks, read other people’s code, parse and interpret data, interact with APIs, and build web scrapers. This might be one of the most useful classes you ever take.

Students will need to bring a laptop to class. Both Macs and PCs (or even Linux!) are fine, as long as your operating system is relatively up to date (at least Windows 7 and Mac OS 10.8).

Mattan Griffel

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Business

Mattan Griffel is a recipient of the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence. Mattan is a two-time Y Combinator-backed entrepreneur and the Co-Founder of Ophelia, a company that helps people quit opioids without having to go to rehab.

 

Mattan teaches entrepreneurship, leadership, and technology. He has advised and worked with companies...

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