Research Computing Services

Workshops & Technical Talks

Workshops & Technical Talks

Python

Python

RCS presents workshops on Python, a powerful programming language that can be useful in several stages of the data lifecycle, including data cleaning, analysis, and visualization.

Python is a powerful programming language that can be useful in several stages of the data lifecycle, including data cleaning, analysis, and visualization. Like R, there are several packages and libraries that support innovative features in Python as an open-source environment. Users also appreciate Python for its ability to run on Unix, Mac, and Windows systems.

For more information, please visit: https://www.python.org/about/gettingstarted/

Introduction to Python

This workshop introduces the basic elements of Python, a general purpose programming language commonly used for data cleaning, analysis, visualization, and other applications. Participants will learn how to use the language as well as how to set up a development environment for Python on their personal computer. This workshop is intended for social scientists who are new to programming. No experience is required.

Workshop Preparation

Computers with Python pre-loaded are available on a first-come, first-served basis (for in-person classes). If you will use your own laptop, please install the Anaconda distribution of Python 3.7.

This workshop is being conducted in partnership with the Data Science Services group at IQSS. If you are having trouble installing Python 3, please contact data science services at help@iq.harvard.edu.

Notes and materials for this workshop are available on our Training Materials page.

  • Audience: Harvard Faculty, Students, and Staff all welcome
  • Pre-Requisites: None
  • Software Version: Anaconda (Python 3) version >= 3.7
  • Cost: None
  • Late Drop/Cancel Fee: None

Introduction to Web Scraping with Python

Web scraping is a method of extracting and restructuring information from web pages. This workshop will introduce basic techniques for web scraping using the popular Python libraries BeautifulSoup and Requests. Participants will practice accessing websites, parsing information, and storing data in a CSV file. This workshop is intended for social scientists who are new to web scraping, but have some familiarity with Python or have attended the Introduction to Python workshop.

Workshop Preparation

Computers with Python pre-loaded are available on a first-come, first-served basis (for in-person classes). If you with to use your own laptop, please install the Anaconda distribution of Python 3.7.

Notes and materials for this workshop are available on our Training Materials page.

  • Audience: Harvard Faculty, Students, and Staff all welcome
  • Pre-Requisites: Familiarity with Python, such as having taken Introduction to Python
  • Software Version: Anaconda (Python 3) version >= 3.7
  • Cost: None
  • Late Drop/Cancel Fee: None