BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:icalendar-ruby CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260527T085053Z UID:49844521-91f3-4b9a-96d3-d73b684a8e71 DTSTART:20260928T090000Z DTEND:20260930T170000Z DESCRIPTION:**A certain number of places will be attributed in priority to CUSO members.**\n\n# Overview\nHave you ever been stuck with a file format that doesn't precisely conform to your needs\, found yourself doing annoy ingly repetitive data manipulations\, or struggled to efficiently manage a nd explore your data? Python to the rescue!\n\n[Python](https://www.python .org/) is an open-source and general-purpose scripting language which runs on all major operating systems. It was designed to be easily read and wri tten with comparatively simple syntax\, and is thus a good choice for begi nners in programming. Python is applied in many disciplines and is one of the most common languages for bioinformatics. The Python community enthusi astically maintains a rich collection of libraries/modules for everything from web development to machine learning. Other programming languages such as R have comparable functionality to Python\, however some tasks are mor e natural (and easier!) in Python.\n\nIn this 3-day course\, participants will learn the basic concepts and data structures necessary to solve routi ne data manipulation tasks. Importantly\, we will cover the concepts\, ter minology\, and approach to documentation required to further develop skill s in Python programming independently. The goal is to take control of your research questions in an independent manner.\n\nTopics include:\n\n* A ba sic introduction to Python scripting and computing in general\n* Creating\ , populating\, and modifying data structures\n* Working with files : readi ng / writing\n* Installing / Importing libraries/modules\n* Writing functi ons\n* Best practices in Python programming\n* Debugging and documentation \n\n# Audience\nThis course is designed for PhD students\, postdoctoral an d other researchers in the life sciences from both academia and industry w ho want to become familiar with writing Python code to accomplish common t asks such as automated data parsing\, basic statistical operations and gra phical representations.\n\nFor people who are proficient in programming\, this course might be on the **slow side** for you and an intermediate Pyth on class is recommended (check regularly our upcoming training courses).\n \n# Learning objectives\n\nAt the end of the course\, the participants are expected to:\n\n* Create\, populate\, and modify data structures\n* Work with files: read and write files\n* Install and import libraries and modul es\n* Write functions\n* Apply best practices in Python programming\n* Deb ug and document your own code\n\nYou will thus be prepared to learn more a dvanced bioinformatics-specific applications in forthcoming courses.\n\n# Prerequisites\n### Knowledge / competencies\nThis course is designed for b eginners\; there is no requirement for previous training in Python. Howeve r\, we encourage completion of our "First Steps with UNIX" course or our [ UNIX fundamentals](https://edu.sib.swiss/pluginfile.php/2878/mod_resource/ content/4/couselab-html/content.html) e-learning module. Basic concepts of algorithmics is a plus.\n\nThis course is part of the [Data Science with Python](https://www.sib.swiss/training/learning-paths?path=data-science-wi th-python)\, [Machine Learning](https://www.sib.swiss/training/learning-pa ths?path=machine-learning) and [Data Management](https://www.sib.swiss/tra ining/learning-paths?path=data-management) learning paths. \n\n### Technic al\nYou are required to have your own laptop. We will be working with Pyth on managed by Anaconda - a free and operating system (OS)-agnostic platfor m for organizing Python libraries and environments. It is bundled with Ana conda Navigator\, a graphical user interface which will help ease you into what Python makes possible. We will discuss in detail what all of this pr ecisely means during the course. In preparation\, all you have to do is do wnload and install Anaconda for your particular OS. Use any most recent ve rsion of Python (>\;= 3.7). If your disk space is limited\, you can ins tall Miniconda instead. However this lacks the Anaconda Navigator GUI and many of the packages distributed with Anaconda.\n\nWe will also be interac ting with Python via the Jupyter notebook interface and we ask that you in stall Jupyter notebook\, via conda.\n\n\n# Application\n\n\n\nRegistration fees are **300 CHF** for academics and **1500 CHF** for for-profit compan ies.\n\nWhile participants are registered on a first come\, first served b asis\, exceptions may be made to ensure diversity and equity\, which may i ncrease the time before your registration is confirmed.\n\nApplications wi ll close on **17/09/2026** or as soon as the places will be filled up. Dea dline for free-of-charge cancellation is set to **17/09/2026**. Cancellati on after this date will not be reimbursed. \n\nYou will be informed by ema il of your registration confirmation. Upon reception of the confirmation e mail\, participants will be asked to confirm attendance by paying the fees within 5 days.\n\n\n# Venue and Time\nThe course will take place at the U niversity of Basel.\n\nThe course starts at 9:00 and end around 17:00. A s ocial apero might be organised at the end of the first day (TBC).\n\nPreci se information will be provided to the registered participants in due time .\n\n# Additional information\nCoordination: Monique Zahn\, SIB Training group.\n\nAt the end of the course\, we will provide a *Certificate of Att endance* or a *Certificate of Achievement* recommending 0.75 ECTS credits (given a passed exam).\n\nYou are welcome to register to the SIB courses m ailing list to be informed of all future courses and workshops\, as well a s all important deadlines using the form [here](https://lists.sib.swiss/po storius/lists/courses.lists.sib.swiss/).\n\nPlease note that participation in SIB courses is subject to our [general conditions](https://www.sib.swi ss/training/terms-and-conditions).\n\nSIB abides by the [ELIXIR Code of Co nduct](https://elixir-europe.org/events/code-of-conduct). Participants of SIB courses are also required to abide by the same code.\n\nFor more infor mation\, please contact [training@sib.swiss](mailto://training@sib.swiss). SUMMARY:First Steps with Python in Life Sciences URL;VALUE=URI:https://www.sib.swiss/training/course/20260928_FSWPY END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR