Start your programming journey with Python — learn to design, develop, and debug programs from scratch using one of the world’s most popular and versatile programming languages.
Used by startups and tech giants including Google, Facebook, and Netflix, Python offers endless possibilities for software development. User-friendly with easy-to-read syntax, Python is an ideal first programming language requiring no prior experience. Python Essentials 1 teaches fundamental computer programming concepts alongside core Python skills — from data types, variables, and operators through to control flow, lists, functions, tuples, dictionaries, and exception handling. Learners develop algorithmic and analytical thinking alongside programming best practices through 30 hands-on labs and a final project. Developed in collaboration with the OpenEDG Python Institute, the course prepares learners for the PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer certification exam (PCEP-30-0x). This is part of the Python Learning Collection.
Curriculum Chapters
- 1. Introduction to Python and Computer Programming
- Introduction to Programming
- Introduction to Python
- Downloading and Installing Python
- 2. Python Data Types, Variables, Operators, and Basic I/O Operations
- The “Hello, World!” Program
- Python Literals
- Operators – Data Manipulation Tools
- Variables
- Comments
- Interaction with the User
- 3. Boolean Values, Conditional Execution, Loops, Lists and List Processing, Logical and Bitwise Operations
- Making Decisions in Python
- Loops in Python
- Logic and Bit Operations in Python
- Lists
- Sorting Simple Lists: The Bubble Sort Algorithm
- Operations on Lists
- Lists in Advanced Applications
- 4. Functions, Tuples, Dictionaries, Exceptions, and Data Processing
- Functions
- How Functions Communicate with Their Environment
- Returning a Result from a Function
- Scopes in Python
- Creating Multi-Parameter Functions
- Tuples and Dictionaries
- Exceptions
Skills You Will Learn
Explain fundamental computer programming concepts and the role of Python in the software development landscape. Install and set up a Python programming environment. Write and execute basic Python programs using literals, variables, operators, and user input/output. Apply boolean values, conditional statements, and loops to control program flow. Perform logical and bitwise operations. Create, process, sort, and manipulate lists using built-in operations and the bubble sort algorithm. Define and call functions, pass parameters, return results, and manage variable scope. Use tuples and dictionaries for structured data storage and retrieval. Handle errors using exception handling mechanisms. Apply algorithmic thinking, analytical thinking, and programming best practices to design, develop, and debug Python scripts.
Technologies Used
Python 3
Python IDE / interpreter
30 hands-on labs & final project
Course Details
Course Type: Free self-paced
Time: 30 Hours
Modules: 4
Labs: 30
Level: Beginner
Prerequisites
None. No prior programming experience required.
Certification & Career
Career and Certification alignment: This course prepares learners for the PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer certification exam (PCEP-30-0x) from the OpenEDG Python Institute. Python skills open pathways to careers in software development, systems administration, security engineering, data science, and more. This is part of the Python Learning Collection.
Achievements & Badges
Upon completion, earn a Cisco Networking Academy digital badge plus four module-level sub-badges. Learners can also pursue the optional PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer certification exam. Share your verified achievements on LinkedIn, your CV, or professional profile.
What Cisco verifies: Cisco verifies the earner of this badge successfully completed the Python Essentials 1 course. The holder of this credential has foundational Python programming skills including working with data types, variables, operators, control flow, lists, functions, tuples, dictionaries, and exception handling, with the ability to design, develop, and debug entry-level Python programs and scripts.
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