So why should you care about learning Python? Well, let me put it this way: if you want to do any kind of research in physics or related fields, chances are you’re going to need to use a computer at some point. And if you don’t know how to program, that can be a major roadblock. But with Python, we’ll learn the basics and then apply them to real-world problems like analyzing data from experiments or simulating complex systems.

Now, let me explain what this course is NOT: it’s not some dry, boring lecture where you sit there listening to a professor drone on about syntax and semantics (although we will cover those topics). Instead, we’re going to use interactive textbooks called zyBooks that allow us to write code right in the browser. And if you get stuck or have questions, there are instructional videos and discussion forums where you can connect with other students and ask for help.

So what kind of topics will we cover? Well, first we’ll learn about basic data types like numbers and strings (which is fancy talk for “numbers” and “words”). Then we’ll move on to more advanced concepts like functions and modules (which are basically reusable chunks of code that you can call whenever you need them). And finally, we’ll dive into the world of object-oriented programming (OOP), which is a fancy way of saying “writing code that works with objects instead of just numbers”.

We’re going to take things slow and build up our skills gradually, so by the end of the course you should be able to write your own programs to solve physics problems (or any other kind of problem for that matter). And who knows? Maybe you’ll even become a programming superstar like me!

So if you’re ready to embark on this exciting journey into the world of Python and physics, let’s get started. Just remember: don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes that’s how we learn!