Introduction to Programming with Python, Part 1

Course Objective 
This course is an introduction to the problem-solving and programming methodologies that are fundamental to the study of computer science. Students gain considerable experience with fundamental language constructs and types, such as expressions, decisions, iteration, functions, structures, and strings. 

This course (and those to follow in the sequence) is modeled after a college-level class taught by this instructor but is accessible to students who have never programmed before. This is an excellent course for a student exploring the possibility of becoming a programmer or software engineer, or possibly pursuing a college degree in a Computer Science field.

Course Outcomes 
•	Students will become proficient and comfortable with problem-solving with respect to programming.
•	Students will understand the basic methodologies of programming in both the procedural and object oriented environments.
•	Students will gain understanding on the syntax and constructs of the Python programming language.
•	Students will be able to explain the concept of objects/classes and be able to represent real world events in class form.
•	Students will become proficient in the following programming constructs: expressions, decisions, iteration, functions, structures and strings.

Course Content 
This course will cover the following topics: 
•	Programming Introduction 
•	Selection Statements 
•	Mathematical Functions, Characters, Strings 
•	Loops 
The next sequence in this course will continue the study of loops and add in:
•	Methods 
•	Single and Multi-Dimensional Arrays 
•	Objects and Classes 

Assessment
This is a very hands-on course. Students will be asked to try out the Python programming principles AS they are being taught in the class. After each class a lab project will be assigned that guides the student through creating complete and proper running programs that will be submitted to the instructor before the next class. The instructor will be available to guide the student through these labs throughout the week.

Requirements
Students will need a desktop or laptop computer. We will be using an online programming environment. A comfortable understanding of computers is all the student needs. If you can follow a recipe,  you can learn to program!