Python Programming Foundations with AI Assistance

Learn Python from zero with AI as a pair-programming partner — scripts, logic, and a small project you can show employers.

Level: beginner · Ideal for: Complete beginners and career changers

6-week live online programme · 12 live sessions · Europe/London timezone

What you will achieve

• Write clear Python scripts for files, text, and simple automation tasks.
• Debug errors using tracebacks and AI-assisted explanations you verify yourself.
• Structure small programs with functions, loops, and basic data structures.
• Use AI tools responsibly to accelerate learning without skipping fundamentals.
• Complete a mini command-line project suitable for a portfolio or interview discussion.

What we cover

Python core

• Variables, types, and f-strings
• Conditionals and loops
• Functions and modules
• Lists, dictionaries, and file I/O

Working like a developer

• Virtual environments and pip basics
• Reading documentation and stack traces
• Git-friendly project layout (intro level)

AI-assisted coding

• Asking for explanations vs asking for full solutions
• Testing AI-generated code before you ship it
• Refactoring with human review

Course structure

Phase 1 — Setup and first programs (Week 1 · 2 live sessions)

Install Python, run scripts, and understand how code executes line by line.

• Python install and VS Code / Cursor basics
• print, input, and simple calculations
• Comments and readable naming

Deliverable: Three small scripts (greeting, calculator, unit converter).

Phase 2 — Logic and collections (Week 2 · 2 live sessions)

Control flow and storing data in lists and dictionaries.

• if / elif / else and boolean logic
• for and while loops (when to use each)
• Lists, dicts, and basic comprehensions

Deliverable: Quiz-style program using a question bank.

Phase 3 — Functions and files (Week 3 · 2 live sessions)

Organise code into reusable functions and read/write text files.

• Defining functions, parameters, and return values
• Reading CSV and plain text safely
• Error handling with try / except (intro)

Deliverable: CSV report summariser script.

Phase 4 — Strings and data cleanup (Week 4 · 2 live sessions)

Manipulate text and clean messy real-world exports.

• String methods, slicing, and formatting
• Parsing dates and numbers from text
• Simple validation rules

Deliverable: Data cleanup script for a sample export.

Phase 5 — APIs and the web (intro) (Week 5 · 2 live sessions)

Call a public API and understand JSON responses.

• HTTP GET requests with requests library
• JSON to Python structures
• API keys and rate limits

Deliverable: Weather or postcode lookup mini-tool.

Phase 6 — Capstone project (Week 6 · 2 live sessions)

Plan, build, and present a small CLI tool with instructor feedback.

• Scoping a realistic mini-project
• Code review and refactoring
• README and demo presentation

Deliverable: Portfolio-ready capstone (your choice of domain).

Prerequisites

• Basic computer literacy and file management.
• No prior programming required.

Delivery

• Learners need a laptop with admin rights to install Python 3.12+.
• Sessions are live; recordings are not a substitute for attendance where possible.

Full course details: https://nlcrc.co.uk/courses-python-foundations-ai

Bookings and enquiries: nlcrc.co.uk · 020 3393 0948