Python for Managers (Online)
- Requirements
- This program is suitable for professionals who are interested in learning practical coding skills that allow them to leverage large amounts of data in order to make better business decisions.
Python for Managers (Online)
Overview
According to Emsi employment data, monthly active postings for managers with Python skills have increased significantly, by 90% in the past year, and continues to grow at a staggering pace.
Python is designed to be easy to read while still being very powerful, which makes it a great language for beginners to learn. It’s the fastest-growing programming language out there and is becoming an integral part of many professions, from finance and insurance to technology, healthcare, retail, and ecommerce.
Columbia Business School Executive Education’s two-month online program — Python for Managers (Online) — is designed to get you off the sidelines and into the programming action. The program teaches you how to use Python for data analysis and implement basic coding skills for practical business applications. Columbia Business School is at the nexus where technology and business merge, making it the ideal place for executives to learn Python.
The program is divided into two sections: part one is focused on fundamentals and part two is business applications. The curriculum includes mini challenges designed to give you hands-on coding practice. Ultimately, after taking this program, you will be able to organize and analyze data efficiently — by writing your own Python code.
With a focus on business application, the program includes opportunities to read and write scripts, work with simulated data from a case study on a New York restaurant group, and execute a final project with real-world application. At the end of the program, you will be able to organize, aggregate, and analyze large amounts of data using Python.
“There are two kinds of people: those who understand technology and those who don’t. People who understand technology can design and control the very structure of the world around them. People who don’t understand it are controlled by those who do.”
Mattan Griffel
The program's Faculty Co-DirectorHear from the faculty directors about the program.
Impact
You will emerge from Columbia Business School Python for Managers (Online) with the capacity to understand and utilize Python for data analysis and practical business applications, fostering a renewed confidence in your decision-making abilities. It will accelerate your ability to have a real impact on your organization and serve as a springboard for your career.
The key takeaways of the program are:
- Learn the fundamentals of coding in Python with a focus on practical business applications
- Read and write scripts
- Learn to communicate effectively with programmers whether you hire, manage, or collaborate with them
- Build the capacity to organize and interpret data that extends far beyond Excel’s capabilities
- Learn how to combine multiple data sources for better insights
- Explore the practical applications of web scraping and APIs
Upon completion of this program, you will earn two credits towards a Certificate in Business Excellence with select alumni and tuition benefits.
Program Structure
A hybrid of Python fundamentals and hands-on learning in the application of Python, this program teaches you how to use Python to analyze large volumes of data efficiently and effectively by connecting to APIs,and scraping data from websites
Python Fundamentals Part 1
- Review Evolution and Purpose of Python
- Understanding Your Development Environment
- Customizing Your Command Line and Practicing Command Line Prompts
- Start Building a Mental Map of Python Concepts
- Practice Coding with Basic Python Scripts
Participant Profile
Professionals and executives interested in learning practical coding skills that allows them to use Python to analyze and leverage large amounts of data they already have, or that they want to collect, in order to make better business decisions. No prior experience in programming is required.
Representative roles and titles may include:
- Product managers, growth hackers, business strategy managers, product marketing managers
- Risk managers, portfolio managers, high frequency traders
- Data analysts, data scientists, analytics managers and VPs
- Project managers
- Management consultants
- Entrepreneurs
- Anyone who has outgrown excel for data analysis
Faculty
Mattan Griffel
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Business
Decision, Risk, and Operations
Daniel Guetta
Associate Professor of Professional Practice
Columbia Business School
Faculty Perspective
"Participants will develop key skills in Python for effective data analysis and decision-making. They will master Python syntax, variables, and control structures and gain expertise in data manipulation with Pandas. Additionally, participants will learn to visualize data using Matplotlib and Seaborn, work with APIs, and perform basic data analysis. Utilizing Jupyter Notebooks for interactive documentation and applying Python techniques to support data-driven decisions are also critical skills covered in the program."
Daniel Guetta
Faculty Director
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FAQ
General
What is the educational approach of your online programs?
You can expect a robust, multi-layered learning experience that emphasizes the development of the higher order thinking skills which were proposed by educational psychologist Dr. Benjamin Bloom in “Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning.” According to Bloom, the development of higher order thinking skills requires guiding the learner from just knowledge recall to comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Bloom’s Taxonomy was later revised and expressed in more action-orientated terms as 1) remembering, 2) understanding, 3) applying, 4) analyzing, 5) evaluating and 6) creating. In online learning at Columbia Business School Executive Education, you will have an opportunity to progress through these key phases of learning so that by the end each program, your return on learning will be clearly measurable.
Format
How long do your online programs run for?
Our online programs range between 3 to 18 weeks in length.
Are your online programs synchronous or asynchronous?
Our online programs are mostly asynchronous, meaning that there is generally no live contact with faculty. Unless otherwise specified in the program description, all lectures are delivered through recorded media. Interactions between learners, facilitators, and faculty are conducted via discussion boards, email, and announcements, and all program material is posted on a course site.
Each online program is divided into time-sequenced modules with new modules released each week. This is to allow you to move through the course with a cohort of fellow learners to ask questions and share your learnings and experiences. We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities you will have to connect with fellow learners in each particular online program.
Are assignments graded and if so, how?
An assignment is marked as either complete or incomplete based on whether or not it meets the assignment requirements. If an assignment is submitted without meeting the essential requirements, it will be marked as incomplete, however, you will be able to resubmit the assignment for further review.
Will there be any pre-program work?
No. There is no pre-program work in our online programs.
Learning Experience
Who will be my main point of contact?
Each online program is managed by a dedicated Online Facilitator who will be available to answer any questions, provide feedback, and send reminders as needed. Your Online Facilitator will contact you shortly before the program begins.
How will I access the program materials?
Each program has a dedicated course site to which you will have a login and password. The course site will contain all program materials — syllabus, video content, readings, and assignments.
Will I be able to interact with the faculty?
This varies from program to program. Questions raised in discussion boards and assignments will be curated by your Online Facilitator/Learning Coach. At a minimum, the faculty will post weekly or bi-weekly announcements addressing those themes. Some programs may feature periodic live online sessions to provide an opportunity to engage with the faculty live.
What is the role of the Online Facilitator/Learning Coach?
In online learning at Columbia Business School Executive Education, we emphasize facilitated cohort learning and development. Our online programs are guided by a dedicated Online Facilitator/Learning Coach who provides feedback on your learning to help you re-examine your assumptions in order to expand your understanding of the program’s concepts and achieve your learning objectives.
How will I interact with my cohort of online learners?
Connecting with other learners in an asynchronous online learning environment takes place through weekly discussion boards as well as peer or small group sessions.
What is the online student code of conduct?
Whether attending an online or in-person program, every participant at Columbia Business School Executive Education is expected to adhere to the student code of conduct which requires the following:
- Respect the privacy of other students. Do not share or disclose personal or proprietary company information on public forums.
- Respect the diversity of opinions and cultures that will be present in your program. The use of language that is harassing or denigrating will not be tolerated.
- Your program login credentials are for your personal use only. Do not allow anyone else to access the course site using your login.
- Do not reproduce content from any online program unless allowed by the copyright terms laid out by the course administrator.
- Do not submit the work of others as your own work.
- Violation of this code of conduct may result in disciplinary action including cancellation of program enrollment with no reimbursement of fees.
Learning Environment
How will I access the program materials?
Each program has a dedicated course site to which you will have a login and password. The course site will contain all program materials — syllabus, video content, readings, and assignments.
When will I receive access to the course site?
You will receive access to the course site generally within one to five business days of the course start date.
Can I access the course site on a mobile device?
Yes, the course sites are accessible on mobile devices via the course website log-in page at CourseWorks or via the Canvas app:
» Download Canvas app for Android
» Download Canvas app for iOS
To find Columbia Business School Executive Education on the Canvas app, you may need to type our URL in the "Find your school or district" box. The URL is courseworks2.columbia.edu.
Please note that there will be differences in how the course site is displayed in the app versus on desktop. We recommend that you experiment with accessing the course site on a mobile device and laptop or computer to see which works best for you.
How long will I have access to the course site after the program concludes?
You will have access to the course site for an additional three months after the program concludes.
Certification for Online Programs
Do your online programs provide any university credits?
No. All of our Executive Education programs, both online and in person, are non-degree courses and as such, do not provide accreditation or lead to an accredited diploma or a degree. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a certificate of participation.
Do online programs count towards earning the Certificate in Business Excellence (CIBE)?
Online programs provide credits towards the Certificate in Business Excellence (CIBE)*. Please visit the program page for the exact number of credits each online program earns toward this certificate.
*Except Professional Certificate in Corporate Finance (with edX), Alumni Edge programs, and TIME for Learning classes, which do not earn credits toward the Certificate in Business Excellence.
Cohort
Who typically attends your online programs?
The executive cohort for each online program consists of a global audience at various stages of their careers, from mid- to senior-level leaders and managers with an average of 10-15 years of management experience. Participants come from a range of functional areas including general management, IT, finance/accounting, sales, operations, marketing, human resources, customer service, engineering, and strategy. The top 10 industries represented include financial services, energy/natural resources, retail, technology, education, consulting, manufacturing, consumer products, and non-profit industries.
How large are the online program cohorts?
We limit the enrollment levels of our online programs to ensure every participant receives consistent feedback from the Online Facilitators. This makes it possible for us to provide you with a level of attention and feedback not typical in other online programs.
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