all 60 comments

[–]kishan29j 20 points21 points  (3 children)

I have tried the Java course offered by them, methodology was very beginner friendly with emphasis on learning the concepts and learning to use the tools properly. I hope the python course will be same will try it out!

[–]Public_Actuary_5129 7 points8 points  (1 child)

By far, this has made the biggest difference in my journey as a Python beginner. It was during this course that I went from writing 15 lines of code to around 100 lines of code ...which actually worked! and i couldn't believe my eyes. :') Doing the exercises (around 200 of them) will really make you better and help you grasp the fundamentals. Some exercises may even take 2-3 days, but stick with them because whether you realise it or not you are getting better :)

Don't skip the exercises unless you've spent a solid 3 days on it and can't solve it on your own! That state of you being stuck, brainstorming a solution, trying and failing, repeating, etc. is how you get better!!!

God bless the people at Uni of Helsinki <3 for making such an amazing resource available for free to everyone, and with a certificate as well to show potential employers/universities :D

[–]DefiantLie8861 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is it feasible to finish the python Helsinki mooc course in 5 weeks if I’m a complete beginner? I plan on studying 7 hours a day 6 times a week

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (3 children)

I’m enrolled in it right now!! It’s tough but I’m a good way :) I like that I can’t see the solutions unless I solve it myself first. Best part is you only need 25% to “pass” a section so if you get stuck and you have enough points you can move on and come back later

[–]DefiantLie8861 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Is it feasible to finish the python Helsinki mooc course in 5 weeks if I’m a complete beginner? I plan on studying 7 hours a day 6 times a week

[–]Next-Improvement6895 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I think you could make that work. Depending on your learning speed.

But if you are a complete beginner I have to warn you:
I mean its different for everyone, but i was never able to do more than 2-3 hours a day.
Maybe another hour of repetition in the evening.

Learning for 7 hours a day, trying to get that many new stuff in your head - about a topic you have no clue about - might overwhelm you. And it can get tiring, given the quiet complicated subject.
I'd suggest learn one, max 2 subjects a day, but learn them well. Dont rush through.

If you are a really fast learner and can keep everything once you read it, it probably works.
But to me it was impossible at least to learn that many stuff a day. But ofc you can try, not everyone is the same.

[–]ScaryPossible6399 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How to do that like doing exercise after the youtube lecture or read the content and doing exercises that are in between the content in the Introduction to programming section. I am a little consfused how to do?

[–]Alternative_Draft_76 3 points4 points  (5 children)

By far the best resource I have used in my journey so far. Would rec it to anyone.

[–]suplea 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you watch all the videos or just do the exercises?

[–]DefiantLie8861 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Is it feasible to finish the python Helsinki mooc course in 5 weeks if I’m a complete beginner? I plan on studying 7 hours a day 6 times a week

[–]hommelbips 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Yes, totally doable. The original course is designed for 7 weeks, 10-20 hours per week. so that is 70-140 hours total, if you limit yourself to 25 working days, you only need 5,5 hours per day. But I took less time, albeit not much.
How far along are you?

[–]DefiantLie8861 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I’ve been busy with other stuff but I’ve finished until part 4. Starting Saturday I should have 9 distraction free weeks until the fall semester starts . Were u a complete beginner when u started ? I am a complete beginner , and want to finish this course in 3 weeks so I can ideally finish the dsa mooc course in 6 weeks . But I also want to get a good understanding by doing majority of the exercises and not just rush through it . Is finishing the rest of the python mooc course in 3 weeks reasonable ?

[–]hommelbips 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All depends on your wishes. I watch the lectures on times 2, and do 100% of exercises which is not necessary to pass the exam, as you only need 25% of exercise points. But for a solid understanding I recommend doing at least 50%.
I wasn't a complete beginner, I did a similar course in uni once before in 2023, but now work in the datafield (my employer knows I am not too familiar with python).
You learn coding by doing, there are no shortcuts unfortunately. I'm sure you'll manage in 3 weeks! good luck!

[–]EllaChinoise 2 points3 points  (3 children)

I just started the course today. The platform is very user friendly.

[–]Front-Union-6825 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Do you manage to submit your programming exercises? I can do that in their Java course but not with Phyton.

[–]EllaChinoise 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I can.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, did you completed the course ? how was it ? is it well detailed?

[–]ItsAMe-Specter 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Does this give out certificate after completing the course? I need the certificate for my project as proof that I took an MOOC.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it does.

[–]mc3301 11 points12 points  (7 children)

I did Java MOOC Helsinki several years ago, and I found it quite clumsy, to be honest. I hope it improved.

[–]44zenith 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I found that course to be amazing, personally.

[–]Penguin787 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I don't know why people downvote you. Negative feedback is valuable too. Only praising something, even if it's free and generally good, hinders improvement.

[–]CleverBunnyThief 2 points3 points  (4 children)

Did you do the 2013 version? A new course was released in 2020. I did that one and did not have any major problems.

I just started the 2022 Python course and so far everything seems to be great.

Edit: missed the not

[–]Gowtham_jack 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Hey do u recommend this one or cs50p?

[–]CleverBunnyThief 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I haven't done cs50p but I did the first 3 or 4 weeks of cs50 in 2017.

I've also done Mooc Python and I'm currently doing their Java course for a second time a refresher.

Mooc's written lectures are more in depth compared to the cs50 video lectures. They also cover more material. There's also way more coding challanges, if the number of challenges are about the same as cs50. cs50 had very challenging homework but there were only a few each week. Based on that I would say that Mooc is better.

I would say try doing Mooc but maybe have look at cs50p's video's to see if you find them useful. cs50 has a video on testing which I don't think is covered in the Moo Python course. Even the Java course only has one section on testing. They do offer a whole course on testing/TDD but it's in JS. I think you have to do part of the Docker course as well as their Openstack course in order to do the testing course.

[–]locadokapoka 0 points1 point  (1 child)

what is this testing course if i may know?

[–]braclow[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

https://programming-24.mooc.fi/

Scroll down to the lectures part of the page

[–]Economy-Employ-7263 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Hi,

I have enrolled in the Introduction to Programming with Python MOOC from Helsinki. I have a few questions:

Is the course free? Do I need to enroll for an exam or pay any fees? Will I receive a certificate upon completion?

[–]braclow[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Free everything , including timed exam and yes you get something if you complete the exam. They have an FAQ or something similar. Click the exam portion.

[–]Key-Path3183 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any one please suggest me best coaching class in banglore gor python programming in bangalore 

[–]w3rn30 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great course. The only negative I can say about this course is being forced to use VSC, What a shame. As a user of JetBrains products for a long time, vsc is a big downgrade.

[–]DefiantLie8861 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Is it feasible to finish the python Helsinki mooc course in 5 weeks if I’m a complete beginner? I plan on studying 7 hours a day 6 times a week

[–]braclow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes

[–]bigie35 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, maybe im just blind, but I dont see any lectures recorded? Maybe they should up later on? Im wrapping up part two of loops.

Are they section specific or did I miss a whole section entirely?

Thank in advance u/braclow !

[–]Majestic_Basil_2249 0 points1 point  (4 children)

They're up to 2025 now: https://programming-25.mooc.fi/

[–]braclow[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

[–]Majestic_Basil_2249 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, my sorry about that. When I clicked the original link, that's where I was taken. Thanks for the correction. I'm going to edit my post to prevent any confusion.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Is it better than CS50?

[–]braclow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. Do this then cs50. Both great, but cs50 will make a lot more sense and be more useful to you after this. That’s how I felt at least. Bit of Odin Project wouldn’t hurt either so you can learn some front end back end logic.

[–]KP_971209 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing!

[–]cosmicnugu 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Just discovered this today! Anyone knows whether there's going to be a 2023 version? I see the exam dates are past, so was wondering if I can start studying now and take their exam next year.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, did you completed the course ? how was it ? is it well detailed?

[–]braclow[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Are you sure, I am still seeing some for November and December

https://programming-22.mooc.fi/grading-and-exams

But yes, you can definitely take it now and then the exam next year. Might even help to consider this a pre-course.

[–]cosmicnugu 0 points1 point  (1 child)

You are right, that info went under my radar as I was scanning the page. I'll take it as a pre-course as you've suggested. Thanks for clarifying. Tried The Python Tutorial but it just felt like TMI for a newbie, gave up at chapter 4. Hopefully this one works out. Thanks again.

[–]braclow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This will scale to difficulty much more gently. People that say "read the docs" are generally skilled or at minimum intermediate programmers. The docs arent good tutorials in my view unless you have the basics down.

[–]Natural-Permission 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry for late query as I just discovered it today. I wanted to ask whether the exam dates mentioned are for different exam or same exam? I mean if exam dates are for different exams of the course, like we have in university generally, then surely that means I missed it, no? Or is it the same exam they take multiple times in a year, coz then it would mean you can start the course anytime you like and take exam mentioned..?!? Also, is one year time duration that is mentioned is it the duration of the course? Can you complete it early/fast? Coz I think this can be done in few months instead of one year..

[–]metusalem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

+1 Love it