Advanced Python Programming - Level 4 Course

The Advanced Python Programming – Level 4 Course is designed for anyone with a working knowledge of Python and this Advanced Python Programming course will turn you into an expert Python programmer, where you will benefit from Distance Learning Centre’s acclaimed “Learn-by-Example” methodology, with more than 300 advanced coding examples provided, along with detailed explanations of the code.

The range of interesting topics include the downloading of stock financial data from the Internet and the plotting of stunning charts from the data, including opening and closing prices, the highs and lows, the volume, depicted as line charts and histograms.

We explore the use of powerful multithreading and asynchronous programming techniques, and the use of exciting packages, including the numpy (numeric python) package and the pandas package, which is a fast, powerful, flexible and easy-to-use open-source data analysis and manipulation tool, built on top of the Python programming language, enabling us to produce our charts.

We start the course by recapping the basics of the Python language for those of you who might appreciate a quick “refresher” and move on to the more advanced aspects of the Python language, together with a whole host of tips and tricks that are sure to improve your programming abilities.

On successful completion of the course, students will receive the Distance Learning Centre Advanced Python Programming Diploma with feedback and analysis of your completed work, as well as an Open Awards Quality Endorsed Unit Course Certificate.

Based on the proven "learn by example” principle which, as the name implies, provides real-world examples to illustrate a particular topic or technique, the courses are delivered through our on-line training portal via a standard web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, or Safari.

The lesson notes are delivered through slides giving you the required information to work through each lesson and there are student files you will download to work on so you are putting into practice what you are learning. You will also be supported by a personal tutor who is available to provide feedback on your work at any time throughout the period of study.

Students should have: completion of the Python for Beginners Course or a good knowledge of Python Programming; a working knowledge of using text editors or word processors; An understanding of your computer's operating system; A working knowledge of your email software and the ability to attach files to an email; A basic knowledge of file zipping software such as WinZip or 7-Zip; and Some experience of downloading and installing software packages from the web.

Although Python is available for Linux and MacOs as well as Windows, the installation and running instructions are for the Windows operating system. All other software is provided with the course. Installer files for Python and Notepadd++ are included in the course materials.

You can start this course at any time, and you would be registered for a one-year period. You also have access to a personal tutor who can be contacted by email. Your tutor is available to assist with any queries and to mark your assignments for the Awarding Body.

As the course is self-study, you can complete it as quickly as you like. Support extensions are available if students do not complete the course within the one-year period.

You will be assessed on the completed assignments contained in the training programme. The coursework will consists of individual practical programming assignments that can be sent to your course tutor by email or by post on completion of your training.

On successful completion of this course students will receive our Advanced Python Programming Diploma with feedback on your work and providing the assignments have been completed to the required standards students will also receive a Level 4 Open Awards Quality Endorsed Unit Course Certificate with 9 Open Awards Credits.

The completion of this course alone does not lead to an Ofqual regulated qualification but may be used as evidence of knowledge and skills towards regulated qualifications in the future. To this end the learning outcomes of the course have been benchmarked at Level 4 against level descriptors published by Ofqual, to indicate the depth of study and level of difficulty involved in successful completion by the learner.

You can find further information on qualifications/certificates and their levels on the Ofqual's level descriptors page.

The certification is issued through Open Awards. Open Awards are an Awarding Body Organisation approved by Ofqual. Set up in 1981, Open Awards (Previously the North West Region of the National Open College Network - OCNNW) have been in business for over 30 years and are a not for profit organisation and a registered charity.