Introduction to Python for Health Research

About this course

This course is for you if:

• You are a complete/near complete beginner to programming

• Work in health-related sector as either clinical, administrative or academic staff - for example as a nurse, health administrator, consultant, biomedical researcher, etc.

• You require flexible learning format

• You need to start using more data for your current or future role

• You want to be able to perform basic tasks in Python, such as making plots and sorting through tables, based on health-data without getting too deep into the theory of coding

Learning Aims:

By the end of this module, you will be able to use Python to import and manipulate datasets, and be confident in performing programming operations such as using conditionals, loops, and functions, as well as conducting basic statistical analyses

You will be able to demonstrate subject-specific knowledge and understanding, and have the ability to:

• Develop your theoretical understanding of the basics of programming

• Understand the use and usefulness of conditionals, iterations, and functions

• Identify appropriate methods for solving particular data manipulation problems

• Formulate sensible programming solutions for data sets, and demonstrate an ability to check the correctness of your manipulations.

• Become an independent user of Python, in finding help online, and demonstrating how to select appropriate packages for your projects

In terms of general, knowledge and understanding, you will be able to:

• Understand and explain basic programming concepts

• Justify and critique the use of programming solutions for real-life applications

• Show confidence in the use of Python in manipulating data sets for real-life application

• Communicate ideas effectively and professionally by written, oral and visual means

• Study autonomously and undertake activities / projects with minimum guidance

• Select and properly manage information drawn from books, journals, and the internet

How this course is delivered

The course topics are delivered over a series of interactive lecture videos and practical assignments using Jupyter Notebooks. As a rough guide, you should be able to complete this module within a total 20 hours of study.

This course has been delivered through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the UKRI, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.