A Python Primer for Biologists

This is a brief introduction to python, intended to help biologists with no prior programming experience get a taste of python prior to starting the Practical Bioinformatics minicourse.

Downloadable PDFs

• PythonPrimer_v0.03_screen.pdf (Screen version) For reading on computers, tablets, etc.
• PythonPrimer_v0.03_print.pdf (Print version) For printing a paper version on a duplexing printer.
  To print:
  1. Set orientation to landscape
  2. Set margins to zero
  3. Set printing to two sided with long edge binding
  4. Print (pages will come out in the correct order)
  5. Fold and staple

Example Jupyter notebooks

You should work through the exercises and examples in your own Jupyter notebook as you read the primer. The following notebooks are provided in case you get stuck or want to check your work. Main link is for html export (viewable without Jupyter), notebook link is for the actual notebook file.

• Page 5 examples (notebook)
• Page 6 exercises (notebook)
• Page 8 examples (notebook)
• Page 9 examples (notebook)
• Page 10-11 examples (notebook)
• Page 12 exercise (notebook)

Please send any questions, comments, or bug reports to mark.voorhies@ucsf.edu