Python for Research in Life Sciences

Welcome

This website contains details of the summer course "Python for Research in Life Sciences". 

 Course overview

This is the second instance of this interdisciplinary course. Here the students will be introduced to the versatile programming language Python through hands-on exercises elucidating its utility for research in Life sciences. This course does not assume any prior knowledge in programming. It starts with the basic coding lessons, and builds up upon them.

The course will nudge you to think intuitively in terms of writing an algorithm. This skill, once mastered, is transferable to any programming language in the future. In addition, after first reviewing the basics of Python 3, you will learn how to use Python scripts to import, organize, analyze and visualize experimental data, and run your own simulations to generate new in silico research data.

Using a combination of lectures and guided hands-on sessions, students will be exposed to a variety of different Python features across various topics in Life sciences. We shall explore examples and case studies with data, inter alia, behavioural experiments, DNA sequencing, epidemiology, and biostatistics. Students will also be introduced to the rapidly developing field of image processing and machine learning. Students will get a chance to hone their new Python skills by solving take-home assignments on their own. 

Syllabus and Timeline

During this course, we intend to cover the following topics together. Please note that the timings are suggestive and subject to change depending on class-performance and -participation.

Prerequisite

None. 

This course assumes no prior knowledge of computer programming. An open mind and interest to learn the principles of coding will suffice.

The language of instruction will be English. 

Apart from the lecture sessions, I shall use Google classroom for announcements and doubt clearance. 

Grading scheme

There are four grading components. Their contribution to the final percentage score is given below

Assignments- 50 %

Exams (best score of the two tests) - 20 %

DIY project - 20 %

Classroom participation - 10 %

Percentage score to grade conversion: 

I shall use absolute numbers for grading.

85 – 100 A; 80 – 84 A-; 75 – 79 B+; 70 – 74 B; 65 – 69 B-; 60 – 64 C+; 55 –59 C; 50 – 54 C-; 45 – 49 D+; 40 – 44 D; & <40 F.

Anonymous comments from the past students of this course