Python Study Group

Print This Page

The Young Data Analytics Working Group set up with Introductory Python Study Group in 2021 to support actuarial members with no or little experience in Python. The next Study Group is currently scheduled to start in November 2022.

What you’ll learn in the Python Study Group

Upon completion of this course, you will have an introductory knowledge including:

  • Lists, variables, data structures
  • Functions, flow control, debugging
  • Reading and writing files, web scraping
  • NumPy
  • Pandas

What you’ll need for the course:

  • A computer/laptop
  • A Sweigart, Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 2nd Edition: Practical Programming for Total Beginners, no starch press, 2019 - a free e-version is available to read.
  • Google Colab - which allows you to write and execute Python in your browser

2022 Course Outline

The Study Group in 2022 will consist of two weeks of self-directed study, with access to recordings to assist in your learning and two weeks with live sessions to work through examples with the opportunity to ask questions.  

 Date

 Content (reading)

 Pre-work

 Videos/Sessions

 Week 1 -   Commencing
 on 14/11/22

 Basics: variables and data   structures:
  • Programming examples in the  book chapters
  • Google Colab Tutorial for Beginners (YouTube)
  • YDAWG Webinar – Basics, variables and data structures (YouTube)

 Week 2 -   Commencing
 on 22/11/22

 Functions, flow control and   error handling:
  • Programming examples in the book chapters

YDAWG Webinar –   Functions, flow control and   error handling (YouTube)

 

 Week 3 -
 Session on   Thursday 1   December
 6pm-7pm

 Reading and writing files,   web scraping, working with   excel spreadsheets:
  • Programming examples in the book chapters

YDWAG Week 3 Webinar recording (YouTube)

Student resources:

  • Week 3 workbook
    (Jupyter Notebooks or Google Colab is required to open this files)

 Week 4 -
 Session on   Wednesday
 7 December   6pm-7pm

 Appendix A – Installing   Third-Party Modules

 

 
  • Watch Python NumPy tutorial for beginners (YouTube)
  • Explore NumPy (Python library used for working with arrays)
  • Watch Complete Python Pandas Data Science Tutorial (YouTube)
  • Explore pandas (open-source data analysis and manipulation tool)

YDWAG Week 4 Webinar recording (YouTube)

Student resources:

How to sign up for the Study Group

Complete the below registration form to sign up for the upcoming session. You will be sent the Zoom link for the webinar one week prior. The link will also be publish on this page.

Register now


Curious? Check out previous Python Study Group Sessions here.