Keywords:
Introductory Python Programming, Hands-on Coding Exercises, Natural Sciences, Generative AI Usage in Learning, Programming Demos
Synopsis
This introductory programming book offers a hands-on approach to learning Python, designed for students of natural sciences who are new to coding. Covering fundamental programming concepts - from variables and data types to functions and loops - the book presents examples, exercises and demos rooted in applications across biology, physics, and mathematics. Readers also build good practices for programming and working with computers, such as using the terminal, navigating an integrated development environment, tracking changes with Git, and writing pseudocode, plus guidance on using generative AI tools effectively when learning the basics of programming. Through hands-on learning, each chapter builds both confidence and competence, guiding students from simple scripts to more complex code. By the end of the book, students will understand Python’s core principles and have the skills to tackle real coding challenges within their scientific disciplines in the age of AI.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Author Biographies
Nikolina Šoštarić, Department of Bionanoscience, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
Nikolina Šoštarić is an assistant professor at the Department of Bionanoscience at Delft University of Technology. She previously obtained her PhD in bioinformatics at KU Leuven (Belgium) and worked at Sanquin (Amsterdam) as a postdoctoral researcher. Her research is focused on understanding the dynamics of biomolecular systems using computational methods. She teaches Programming Foundations, Computational Sciences, and iGEM courses in the Nanobiology and Life Science and Technology programs.
Leander A. Lutze, Department of Bionanoscience, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
Leander A. Lutze is a PhD candidate at the Department of Bionanoscience at Delft University of Technology. He studies first-passage times and search processes in single-molecule systems, with a focus on SARS-CoV-2. He was appointed as a Van Rijn junior teacher for the Programming Foundations course to develop the programming demos and update this book for its third edition.
Published
November 3, 2026
Copyright (c) 2026 Nikolina Šoštarić, Leander A. Lutze
