Computer programming

2018 Spring

Dates: biweekly, on odd weeks, Friday, 14:00-17:00

First class is on 16 February

Extra class on 23 March, 10:00-13:00

and on 23 April (Monday) 12:00-15:00

Room: Izu 402

The aim of the course is to learn the basics of computer programming. The course doesn't require any former knowledge of computer programming. At the end of the semester one should be able to understand and modify simple scripts controlling experiments, analyzing data or running simulations. The course will also provide a firm background to learn additional topics after the semester.

The course is for Psychology and Cognitive Science students. Contact me if you're intereseted in the course, but you're learning something else than psychology or cognitive science.

Topics

(Some of the links or slides are in Hungarian. Translation is in progress.)

• • Introduction to computer programming (slides)

  • AlgoTaurus

    • Does this look familiar? ;)

  • Scratch

  • Introduction to programming in Python and Matlab languages (slides and slides and slides)

  • Primer on computer programming

  • Python and Matlab materials

  • Experiment control with computer

  • General considerations

  • OpenSesame

  • PsychoPy

  • Data analysis in Python (slides)

Requirements

• • Three simple Python scripts

    • See the details later

  • Choose one of the option seen below

    • Write your own experiment, preferably in PsychoPy or in OpenSesame. (Let me know if you'd use another system.)

    • Analyze your own research data with Python. (Let me know if you'd use another language.)

    • Run your own simulation in Python. (Let me know if you'd use another language.)

  • Depending on how we handle the exercises at the seminar, there could be one or two script tasks.

Deadline:

• • Python scripts: 2 weeks after the Python class.

  • Experiment, analysis or simulation: 2 weeks after the last class.

• Extended deadlines: 18th May

Recommended reading

Documentations and tutorials of the used language and software.