Version: August 2023
Important course information#
This course consists of 4 practicals. The theory and assignments of the first 3 practicals are covered in this manual in separate chapters. Below you can find a short description of their content.
First practical: How to use the main features of Python (manipulation of arrays of data and use of script files) and starting with data analysis and visualisation.
Second practical: How to write more complex programs using tests and loops as well as how to create your own functions and use these in a script file to analyse data.
Third practical: Introduction to the modelling of physical processes. During this practical you will build a simple morphodynamic model.
Fourth practical: Creative assignment, where you will be answering your own research question using Python (see blackboard for instructions).
Each practical will be graded on a scale of 1 to 10. Of the final grade, the creative exercise is worth 20% and the first three practicals are each 5%. So all practicals combined make up 35% of the final grade.
During the practicals, you will have to work individually.
The Python assignments should be handed in following the deadlines provided by the lecturers. The different files (Python code, data files and answers to the questions) should be combined in a zip-file and sent to the lecturers of the course as instructed in class.
The answers to questions should be written as comments starting with
#in the script files or (if specified) in a separate Word document.Please note that the Exercises required to hand in are all specified at the end of each chapter. Do not hand in other exercises in the manual.
The evaluation of the codes will be based on three main criteria:
Does the program run?
Does the program do the right thing?
Can we read/understand the code easily? (i.e. is it commented enough?)
If you have issues with debugging, please first consult the debugging manual on Blackboard.
If you run into problems during coding or debugging, consider:
Have you consulted the debugging manual?
Have you consulted a classmate?
Can your query wait until you can ask the lecturers during the next scheduled practical or question hour?
If not, questions about the practicals can also be asked to lecturers on Microsoft Teams.
Learning to program is learning a way of thinking and it begins with making a lot of errors. That will be a bit frustrating, but you will never unlearn that way of thinking the rest of your working lives. It’s worth the investment!