Python for Representing and Manipulating Data
Learn in-demand skills programming in Python to gain insights from data in many different forms.
Key facts
Fully funded places available
Overview
Python is a common and popular programming language for gaining insights from data, from calculating simple statistics to generating professional visualisations and reports. This module starts with the assumption that you have not programmed before, but moves quite quickly through processing simple tabular data onto advanced topics like natural language and image processing. You will learn:
- Coding in a Jupyter notebook
- The basics of coding (variables, loops, functions and conditionals)
- Simple data structures such as lists, dictionaries and sets
- Processing tabular data with tools like Numpy and Pandas
- Processing images and natural language, for example product reviews or social media posts
Make the jump from spreadsheets and you will never look back!
Entrance requirements
You can apply for a fully funded place on our upskilling courses if:
- You have lived in Scotland for the last three years for reasons other than education; or
- You are living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and working for a UK employer that works in partnership with University of Stirling and is headquartered or operates in Scotland; or
- You are a member of staff at the University of Stirling.
Previous coding experience is not essential, but experience of processing data in a spreadsheet or other software package will be useful.
Funding
Scottish Funding Council (SFC) fully funded places are available for this short course. These will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants. Please submit your application as soon as possible to secure your funding.
Objectives
When you have completed this course, you will be able to process data from a number of sources including spreadsheets, images and free text. You will know the best ways to represent data in a computer program and be able to manipulate data to gain valuable insights.
Structure and content
The weekly topics are:
- Data storage formats
- Running Python and basic data types
- Basic structures in Python
- Loops, Conditions and Iterables
- Functions and generators
- Files and remote data
- Tabular data with Numpy and Pandas
- Data visualisation and geographic data
- Natural Language Processing
- Computer Vision and image processing
- Object Oriented Python
Delivery and assessment
Weekly content is delivered online in a mixture of videos, guided examples and programming exercises. Students can test their knowledge with weekly multiple choice questions.
There are two practical assignments in the form of programming challenges.
Module coordinator
Employability
Python coding skills are in high demand among employers. Even if you are not looking for a technical coding or data science role, the ability to analyse data using Python can give you the edge over regular spreadsheet users.
What next?
Contact us
If you have any questions about entry requirements for our continuing professional development and short courses, contact our Admissions team.
For all other questions, please use our enquiry form.