Why Python?
The big reason is that Python has quickly become the language of choice for science, engineering, and data analysis. It is easy to learn (it is now being taught in 5th grade) but is also powerful enough to power Youtube and most large scale AI and data analysis applications. So essentially it is a “no-brainer” – but you will want to use your brain to best learn how to use it to solve real problems.
Learning Python From the Beginning (FTB)
This video series is designed to take you from zero knowledge of Python to working real problems in Python. It covers all the basics of Python and the Python language. I am continuously adding material to help learn python and this is a good order to learn how to use the language.
| Lecture | Page | Video |
| FTB 01 | Your Integrated Development Environment | None |
| FTB 02 | Variables and Functions | Video (Youtube) Video (DSC Stream) |
| FTB 03 | Using Conditionals | Video (Youtube) Video (DSC Stream) |
| FTB 04 | Using Arrays and Matrices | Video (Youtube) |
| FTB 05 | Iterating Through Arrays | Video (Youtube) |
| FTB 06 | Starting with Matrices | None |
| FTB 07 | Using Libraries | None |
Required Course Video for Assignments
Here is a list of all the lectures for this class. These are lectures recorded specifically to help you learn how to solve the types of problems you will face in the class assignments. You should still work your way through the FTB series if you have no prior experience in Python. The tools used (like notepad or jupyter) are for demonstration purposes only. In this class, you use Python to solve engineering problems, write an engineering report, and submit it. There are no specific tool requirements and you can complete all assignments using Spyder as your IDE.
| Lecture | Link | Video |
| 1 | Distance and Bearings | Video (Youtube) Video (DSC Stream) (alternate) |
| 2 | Arrays and Interpolation | Video (Youtube) Video (DSC Stream) (alternate) |
| 3 | While loops and For Loops | Video (Youtube) Video (DSC Stream) |
| 4 | Functions | Video (Youtube) Video (DSC Stream) |
| 5 | – 5A – Iterative Solutions – 5B – Iterative Using Recursion | 5A – Video (Youtube) Video (DSC Stream) 5B – Video (Youtube) |
| 6 | Arrays and Matrices | Video (Youtube) |
| 7 | – 7A – Good Functions – 7B – Objects and Classes | 7A Video (Youtube) 7B Video (Youtube) |
| 8 | pandas and linear regression | Video (Youtube) |
| 9 | Jupyter and units (pint) | Video (Youtube) |
| 10 | Parallel Arrays in Python | Video (Youtube) |
| 11 | Iterative Solutions By Hand | Video (Youtube) |
| 12 | Solving the Howe Truss Problem | Video (Youtube) |
| 13 | Using Pandas and DataFrames | Video (Youtube) |
| 14 | Creating Engineering Lookup Tables | Video (Youtube) |
| 15 | More Pandas and DataFrames | Video (Youtube) |
| 16 | Optimization Problem | Video (Youtube) |
Programming Fundamentals
I have an entire lecture series on programming fundamentals that covers the basics of programming in both Javascript and Python. It is available at http://roneaglin.online/cop3530/programming-fundamentals/
Additional Lectures
These additional videos are to assist you with problems you may have or introduce you to topics that are not in the required assignments.
Debugging Python in Spyder – https://youtu.be/2Wnmocwz7u0
Lecture and Video – Using and Updating Python Packages
How to Solve the Intersecting Trajectories in Sympy – https://youtu.be/8bEfJwPrnaM