Python - a Gateway to Machine Learning

The course is part of the programme MAISTR (hh.se/maistr) where participants can take the entire programme or individual courses. The course is for professionals and is held online in English Python is a programming language that has become widely adopted by schools to teach programming skills, and also by the AI community for Machine Learning and Big Data applications. The course "Python – a Gateway to Machine Learning" aims to open doors, allowing study and work in a variety of digitalisation contexts, such as AI. The course is broken down into four modules 1. Introduction to the Python programming language 2. Introduction to data structures and algorithm design 3. Libraries for linear algebra and tabular data 4. Basic introduction to serialization and binary files, parallel processing, and AI-assisted programming The first module is an introduction to the Python programming language itself. It is a quick review of the syntax and how to use programming concepts with Python. The second module will allow students from various backgrounds to establish a strong foundation, introducing the Jupyter development system, techniques for coming up with algorithms and the data structures that are needed to make algorithms work better. The third module will focus on Halmstad University's strength in AI, introducing libraries for tabulated data (Pandas) and for linear algebra (NumPy). It introduces concepts like vectorization and uses methods from the first module to implement programs for large amounts of data. In the last module, an introduction will be given for serialization of data and different binary file formats for data storage. A quick introduction will be provided for parallel processing, followed by a basic intro to AI-assisted programming. The material is presented so that participants can read, watch recordings and go through interactive documents where they can experiment and do exercises. The course instructor have experience with teaching Python programming in our campus. This course is for professionals with an undergraduate degree in engineering (or similar) and experience with programming but not specific skills with Python. The course is held in English. Distance students (e.g., MAISTER program) need to come to the Halmstad campus for the final written examination. The only exception to this is to take the written exam at a center approved by Halmstad University (Exam in another location), which the student needs to apply for in addition to the normal exam registration. Additionally, students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs for writing their exam at the Halmstad campus or at any approved examination location.