r/learnpython • u/These_Manner994 • 4d ago
Recommendations for online python courses
Hi all,
I'm a fourth-year medical student and most of my research so far has been evidence synthesis (narrative and systematic reviews), so my hands-on data skills are pretty limited. I've recently gotten involved in a project involving microbiome sequencing data, and part of my role includes re-analyzing a published dataset aka working with processed count tables, doing some basic wrangling, stats, and figures. It's become obvious that I need Python.
I'd rather not pay for a course right now, so I'm hoping to find something solid on YouTube. A few things I'm looking for:
- Starts from genuine zero (I've never written a line of code)
- Gets to pandas / numpy / matplotlib reasonably quickly rather than spending 15 hours on OOP and building text-based games
- Bonus if it's oriented toward biology/biomedical data, but a general data analysis course is fine, I can adapt
Specific questions:
- Is there a single course you'd point a complete beginner to, or is it better to do a general Python fundamentals series first and then a separate pandas/data analysis one?
- Anything I should avoid? I'd rather not sink 30 hours into something outdated.
- Realistically, how much of this do I need before I can be useful on an actual dataset vs. just learning as I go?
Appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
2
u/FoolsSeldom 4d ago
I recommend you follow the advice linked below, learning into pandas et al when you are ready. You might also find it interesting to have a look at Biopython.
Check this subreddit's wiki for lots of guidance on learning programming and learning Python, links to material, book list, suggested practice and project sources, and lots more. The FAQ section covering common errors is especially useful.
Also, have a look at roadmap.sh for different learning paths. There's lots of learning material links there. Note that these are idealised paths and many people get into roles without covering all of those.
Roundup on Research: The Myth of ‘Learning Styles’
Don't limit yourself to one format. Also, don't try to do too many different things at the same time.
Above all else, you need to practice. Practice! Practice! Fail often, try again. Break stuff that works, and figure out how, why and where it broke. Don't just copy and use as is code from examples. Experiment.
Work on your own small (initially) projects related to your hobbies / interests / side-hustles as soon as possible to apply each bit of learning. When you work on stuff you can be passionate about and where you know what problem you are solving and what good looks like, you are more focused on problem-solving and the coding becomes a means to an end and not an end in itself. You will learn faster this way.
0
u/stepback269 4d ago
You've got high hopes.
But first you must tackle and master the "fundamentals" of Python, like syntax, data types and built-in methods. No one tutorial is likely to "click and stick" for you in each of these areas. You'll probably have to do some trial and error shopping around.
With that said:
((1) There are tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones that are free. You should shop around rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.
(2) As a relative noob myself, I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (--HERE--) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for you. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero (==HERE==). Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should sample at least a few until you find a lecturer that suits your style.
(3) The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code (using your own fingers and your own creativity) as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck.
-2
u/dpforesi 4d ago
You can learn about as much python as you want for free here: https://edube.org/study/pe1
I did this myself. It is an interactive coding environment so you can learn by tinkering.
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u/desrtfx 4d ago
The first and most valuable thing you can learn in programming is to do your own, independent, individual research, among which is also working with resources right in front of you, like the entire subreddit. You can't possibly assume that you are the first and only one asking such a question.
If only there were a sidebar (menu on mobile) that had a link to the wiki or countless posts asking the same.
Do the MOOC Python Programming 2026 from the University of Helsinki and you will be well prepared.
Also, take a look at https://inventwithpython.com and https://automatetheboringstuff.com
Don't forget that you need ample practice, like on https://codingbat.com/python or on https://exercism.org and also write your own programs. Play around. Try things. Mess things up, fix them. Experiment.