Programming in Python

The course is part of the Computer Aided Measurements in Physics programme but can also be taken as a stand-alone course.

An introductory course in the Python programming language. It covers data types, operators, built-in functions, user-defined functions and control structures. It also includes object-oriented programming.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to,

Knowledge and understanding

• explain the advantages and disadvantages of Python compared with other programming languages,
• describe the differences between low-level and high-level languages, compiled and interpreted languages, and the advantages and disadvantages of these,
• describe and explain basic concepts, structures and methods of the Python programming language,
• classify and categorise Python data types,
• explain the differences between object-oriented and procedural programming,
• describe key concepts in object-oriented programming,

Skills and abilities

• use the Python programming language to write scripts,
  debug Python scripts,
• apply the Python programming language to handle text and perform simple numerical calculations,
• create classes and use their objects,

Judgement and approach

• analyse the efficiency of Python scripts and suggest possible improvements.

Lectures and practical sessions.

During the laboratory sessions, students complete and submit assignments from a laboratory handbook (continuous assessment). For each assignment, students are awarded a number of marks (depending on the difficulty of the assignment). The student’s final grade – Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG) – is based on the total number of marks achieved by the end of the course.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The course is graded on a scale of Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.