Welcome to COGS 18: Introduction to Python!

COGS 18 | Shannon Ellis | Spring 2025 | UCSD

Overview

Introduction to Python (COGS 18) is a course offered by the Department of Cognitive Science of UC San Diego. It is a hands-on programming course, focused on teaching students in Cognitive Science and related disciplines an introduction on how to productively use Python.

Current Iteration

Introduction to Python is currently running for Spring 2025, please read the syllabus.

Materials

All course materials are openly available from 1) this website; 2) our textbook; or 3) PrairieLearn.

During lecture, we highly recommend following along in class with a live notebook (i.e. in Colab) so you can try the code we talk about as we talk about it. Each lecture will have an “Open in Colab”” button to click - this will get you a copy of the notes.