Python tutorials for beginners and beyond
Some participants ask for resources to read ahead of the course or work on it parallel. You don't need to become an expert before the class - because what's the point then, right?
If you have already found a tutorial of your choice and you're happy with it, that's great! Here is a list of just a few of the many tutorials, online books etc. where you can start your Python journey:
https://www.w3schools.com/python/
Well structures course that starts at the very basics but up to to numpy, matplotlib and beyond. It even has a chapter about machine learning. There are many easy examples and you can try most of them in your browser without even having Python installed on your own computer.
https://www.learnpython.org/
Another popular interactive course that is suitable for beginners. This also includes examples that you can try out immediately. The order in this course is less "from the ground up" but might be more entertaining.
https://www.sololearn.com/learning/1157
If you like learning with some "gamification", sololearn.com has several Python courses (and other languages), for beginners and beyond. There are also smartphone apps for iOS and Android, if you'd like to learn at a different place then in front of your computer. It's quite fun.
https://realpython.com/
Large collection of tutorials and shorter lessons, some with video. This is not one single tutorial, but a great resource to study further. Individual articles are categorized by topic and skill level, thus you almost always find something new and interesting.
https://diveintopython3.problemsolving.io/
I think this is almost a classic and more "book style" than the previous tutorials (actually, it is written and available as a book). But it equally starts with zero programming knowledge requirements and covers some aspects not discussed in the other tutorials - though, it's not data science specific.
https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/NonProgrammers
Not a course itself but a list of further resources for Non-Programmers who want to learn Python, including books, tutorials and articles.
https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/Programmers
Sister page of the previous one. Despite its name, it also holds a list of many more great tutorials or articles - with different focus and many of them also suitable for beginners.
Finally, I want to encourage all of you to go online and use whichever internet search engine you like to find the course that fits your needs, interests and learning style. Don't be afraid to try a few and either abandon them or take advantage of hearing/reading about the same basics in a different style. It never hurts to combine different teachers and, of course, practice a lot yourself.
One of the advantages of Python is the large online community. You will find answers to almost every question when you search online (in "normal" English). The more your skills progress, the more familiar you will also become with the technical terms and Python specific jargon. But even when you come from a different language such as Matlab, you're probably not the first to ask what the equivalent of a certain Matlab function is in Python. And someone will have answered it already.