Program Overview

Course Overview

The course "Computational Thinking with Python: Programming for Business Problems" is a summer course offered by Aarhus University. It provides a broad introduction to programming in Python and computational thinking for students with degrees outside of computer science.

Course Details

• ECTS: 5
• Form of instruction: Classroom instruction
• Form of examination: Take-home assignment (Assign)
• Language of instruction: English
• Level: Master
• Location: Aarhus

Course Content

The course is divided into three parts:

1. Introduction to the Python programming language, covering fundamental concepts such as data structures and functions.
2. Computational thinking, focusing on creating and using different levels of abstraction to solve problems, with an emphasis on automation, reuse, and modularity of programming routines.
3. Applying Python and computational thinking to solve problems from the field of business economics, including the use of Python packages for data analysis, simulation, and web scraping.

Description of Qualifications

Upon successful completion of the course, students must demonstrate:

• Knowledge and understanding: Of fundamental concepts in Python programming, data structures, simulation, data analysis, web scraping, and relevant Python libraries.
• Skills: To break down problems into solvable steps, implement algorithms using Python, develop small software applications, implement web scrapers, analyze data using pandas, and implement basic simulations.
• Competences: To reflect on the choices made during program implementation, the limitations of the program, and the consequences of errors, as well as to show awareness of what kind of problems programming can help solve in their field of study.

Teaching

• Form of instruction: Classroom instruction and illustration, coding sessions, and group work.
• Instructor: Dr. Nikolai Stein
• Course coordinator: Ana Alina Tudoran

Examination

• Form of examination: Take-home assignment (Assign)
• Assessment: 7-point grading scale
• Permitted exam aids: All
• Duration: 4 hours

Requirements for Taking the Exam

To participate in the exam, there is an 80% attendance requirement. Students must also complete compulsory, non-graded activities:

1. Assignment 1: Python Fundamentals - Implement logic using functions and process user inputs.
2. Assignment 2: Webscraping - Extract data from a website and implement a program using the extracted data.
3. Assignment 3: Data Analytics and Simulation - Setup simulation models in Python and analyze the results.

Re-exam

• Prerequisite for re-examination participation: Students who have fulfilled the prerequisites for examination participation can participate in the re-exam without additional prerequisites.
• Re-exam format: Written take-home exam (max. 36,000 characters including spaces).
• Re-exam dates: First retake: 27th October - 3rd November, Second retake: January 30th - February 6th.

Academic Prerequisites

• Students should have basic knowledge of math and statistics.

Type of Course

• Type of course: Summer University
• Primary programme: Master's Degree Programme in Economics and Business Administration
• Related programmes: Master's Degree Programme in Business Administration, Master's Degree Programme in Business Administration and Commercial Law, Master's Degree Programme in Business Economics and Auditing
• Department: Department of Economics and Business Economics
• Faculty: Aarhus BSS
• Location: Aarhus
• Maximum number of participants: 40, with 10 seats reserved for international exchange students from AU partner universities.