Python for Managers (Online)

Program and analyze real world data with python

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Course Dates

STARTS ON

TBD

Course Duration

DURATION

2 months, online
6-8 hours per week

Course Fee
Course Fee

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Python: An Effective Language of Business

It is sometimes argued that people in business-oriented roles don’t need to know technical skills since they can outsource programming to a development team, but this is an outdated and dangerous way of thinking. Leaders and managers, including those with MBAs, don’t need to be taught to be full-blown programmers, but they need to learn how technical concepts apply to business uses.

A Python certificate is one way to build this advantage. 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. Consider these facts:

#1

The TIOBE index, which indicates the popularity of programming languages, ranked Python as the most popular programming language in April 2023.

SOURCE: TIOBE

$100.6 Million

The global Python market expected to reach in 2030 at a revenue CAGR of 44.8%.

Source: Emergen Research

22.5%

Year-over-year increase in Python usage across GitHub by utility in data science and machine learning.

SOURCE: GITHUB

"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, Faculty Co-Director; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Business at Columbia Business School

Key Takeaways

  • Learn the fundamentals of coding in Python with a focus on practical business applications
  • Read and write scripts
  • 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
  • Learn to communicate effectively with programmers whether you hire, manage, or collaborate with them
  • Explore the practical applications of web scraping and APIs
  • Earn a Python certificate from Columbia Business School Executive Education, enhancing the value you bring to your role and your organization

Program Topics

The goal of this curriculum is to present a hybrid of Python fundamentals and hands-on practice in the application of Python. You will learn how to connect to APIs, scrape data from websites, and access and analyze large volumes of data efficiently and effectively.

Introduction:

Welcome to the Program and Orientation

As you begin your exploration of Python’s capabilities, you will start by setting up your development environment.

Week 1:

Python Fundamentals Part 1

You will review the evolution and purpose of Python, gain an understanding of your development environment, customize your command line, practice command line prompts, start building a mental map of Python concepts, and practice coding with basic Python scripts.

Week 2:

Python Fundamentals Part 2

In this module, you will work with If statements, Else and Elif statements, logic structures, lists, and For loops.

Week 3:

Python Fundamentals Part 3

You will gain an understanding of the role of dictionaries, functions, and import, practice writing code for dictionaries and functions, and refactor code for efficiency and simplicity.

Week 4:

Intro to Pandas in Python

In this module, you will be introduced to data in Python, review Jupyter, work on data without Pandas, explore Panda series data frames, understand columns and rows, and read data.

Week 5:

Analyzing Data with Python

You will filter data, edit data frames, understand how duplicated and missing values impact data hygiene, gain an introduction to combining data, and construct full orders in a case study of New York restaurants.

Week 6:

APIs and Web Scraping with Python

In this module, you will explore examples of APIs, use Python to connect to an API, develop an understanding of HTML, and learn how to use web scrapers in Python to pull information from a page.

Week 7:

Applying APIs and Web Scraping

Skills you will master in this module include loading nutrition data, scraping the data, joining it all together, connecting to Weather API, creating a Weather data frame, and aggregating data.

Week 8:

Tying It Together

Your culminating module focuses on advanced data aggregation, aggregating with time, making pretty plots, and your final project.

Introduction:

Welcome to the Program and Orientation

As you begin your exploration of Python’s capabilities, you will start by setting up your development environment.

Week 5:

Analyzing Data with Python

You will filter data, edit data frames, understand how duplicated and missing values impact data hygiene, gain an introduction to combining data, and construct full orders in a case study of New York restaurants.

Week 1:

Python Fundamentals Part 1

You will review the evolution and purpose of Python, gain an understanding of your development environment, customize your command line, practice command line prompts, start building a mental map of Python concepts, and practice coding with basic Python scripts.

Week 6:

APIs and Web Scraping with Python

In this module, you will explore examples of APIs, use Python to connect to an API, develop an understanding of HTML, and learn how to use web scrapers in Python to pull information from a page.

Week 2:

Python Fundamentals Part 2

In this module, you will work with If statements, Else and Elif statements, logic structures, lists, and For loops.

Week 7:

Applying APIs and Web Scraping

Skills you will master in this module include loading nutrition data, scraping the data, joining it all together, connecting to Weather API, creating a Weather data frame, and aggregating data.

Week 3:

Python Fundamentals Part 3

You will gain an understanding of the role of dictionaries, functions, and import, practice writing code for dictionaries and functions, and refactor code for efficiency and simplicity.

Week 8:

Tying It Together

Your culminating module focuses on advanced data aggregation, aggregating with time, making pretty plots, and your final project.

Week 4:

Intro to Pandas in Python

In this module, you will be introduced to data in Python, review Jupyter, work on data without Pandas, explore Panda series data frames, understand columns and rows, and read data.

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Who Is This Program For?

This program is designed for professionals interested in using Python to manage large amounts of data, solve business problems, plan for the future, and/or facilitate communication with technical roles inside and outside of their organization.

  • Senior managers or executives in IT, healthcare, or banking and financial services seeking to develop an artificial intelligence or machine learning road map for their organization.
  • Risk managers, traders, and bankers who are interested in leveraging finance-related applications of Python, such as forecasting and algorithmic trading, to rapidly respond to market changes and maintain a competitive edge.
  • Mid- to senior-level technology managers who wish to build a foundation for a career in artificial intelligence or machine learning by adding a popular programming language to their skill set.
  • Early- to mid-career analysts in any industry seeking to advance in big data and keep pace with trends in the swiftly evolving data science ecosystem.
  • Consultants who are interested in leveraging Python’s capabilities to design business solutions.
*No prior coding experience is required.

Featured Case Study

Reinforce your newfound Python skills by helping a New York Restaurant Group rethink every aspect of its meals from seed to service.

Take a deep dive into a dataset of more than 2.5 million sales transactions to answer fundamental business questions regarding performance, ROI, and order volume.

Evaluate how demographics and weather impact sales. Then, gather information from the corporate website to determine how product offerings are organized, and help identify the optimal location for launching a new brand of nutritious beverages.

Program Experience

World-Renowned Faculty

Learn from accomplished faculty, and industry experts whose diverse backgrounds encompass a broad range of disciplines

Guest Speakers

Accomplished academics and experts offer unique perspectives and the opportunity to put learning into practice

Peer Interaction

Stimulating discussions with like-minded global peers expand your professional network and build a supportive community

Case Studies

Through exploratory sessions, examine practical examples and find innovative solutions to strategic challenges

Engaging Assignments and Activities

Hone business acumen and executive skills with try-it activities that help you redefine your potential

Past Participant Profile

On your journey to learning Python with Columbia Business School Executive Education, you’ll be in good company. Past participants come from a wide range of industries, job functions, and levels.

Representative Companies:

  • Amazon.com, Inc.
  • Bloomingdale's Inc.
  • Citigroup Inc.
  • Cognizant
  • Dell Inc.
  • Deutsche Bank AG
  • Facebook, Inc.
  • Hilltop Securities, Inc.
  • HSBC Holdings plc
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • KPMG International Cooperative
  • McKinsey & Company
  • Microsoft Corporation
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Ralph Lauren
  • S&P Global, Inc.
  • The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
  • Unilever

Representative Job Titles:

  • Partner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CTO
  • Director
  • President
  • Vice President
  • Consultant
  • Global Head of Valuation
  • Chief Performance Manager
  • Fraud Analytics Manager
  • IT and Risk Compliance Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Senior Credit Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • IT Manager

Participant Testimonials

"I learned things from the basics to the more complicated things and then applied them to real-world situations. I liked that this program was paced and had a ton of videos and assignment solutions. I also enjoyed visual learning as the best learning style for me personally."

— Alex Hollander, BI Analyst, Quip, United States

“The program provided simple but effective ways of learning, starting from the roots, enhancing the capability of learning and coding, to the most complex.”

— Victor Garcia, Junior Analyst, Dunas Capital, United States

“The program structure was clear and easy to follow. Each week was placed and taught in the order they were, and as the program progressed, my knowledge also progressed.”

— Rose Lemly, Agency Sales Director, Lovin Media Group, Ireland

“Using various Python applicable methods on different platforms, I could easily carry the skill sets over to other existing platforms if necessary.”

— Ethan Penha, Program Associate, Business Outreach Center Network Brooklyn, United States

" This program was superb for two reasons: high quality videos and great communication/support. The videos were thorough, and the instructors were experts. Additionally, whenever someone posted a question in a forum, it was answered by another student or one of the program leaders."

— Alexander Zarboulas, Student, United States

Program Faculty

Profile picture of course faculty Mattan Griffel

Mattan Griffel

Faculty Co-Director; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Business at Columbia Business School

Mattan Griffel is an adjunct professor and Y Combinator-backed entrepreneur. A co-founder of One Month, which offers online bootcamps for coding, Professor Griffel has experience teaching business professionals who want to expand their technical skills. Forbes selected... More info

Profile picture of course faculty Daniel Guetta

Daniel Guetta

Faculty Co-Director; Associate Professor of Professional Practice in the Discipline of Decision, Risk and Operations; Director, Center for Pricing and Revenue Management and Business Analytics Initiative

As a professor of business analytics and director of the Center for Pricing Revenue Management and Business Analytics Initiative, Daniel Guetta straddles both the Columbia Business School... More info

Certificate

Example image of certificate that will be awarded after successful completion of this program

Certificate

Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate of participation from Columbia Business School Executive Education and one day toward a Certificate in Business Excellence.

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Your verified digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and emailed to you, at no additional cost, upon completion of the program, as per the stipulated requirements. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Columbia Business School Executive Education.

FAQs

  • How do I know if this program is right for me?

    After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow-up with you very shortly.


    Are there any prerequisites for this program?

    Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page, as well as in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.


    Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.


    What is the typical class profile?

    More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.


    What other dates will this program be offered in the future?

    Check back to this program web page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.

  • How much time is required each week?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.


    How will my time be spent?

    We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:



    • Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
    • Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific program schedule
    • Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
    • Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
    • Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
    • Completing your final project, if required

    The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.


    What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

    More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

    All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.

    A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.


    How do I interact with other program participants?

    Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.

  • What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

    Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.

    This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.


    What type of certificate will I receive?

    Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
    The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.


    Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

    No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.


    Do I receive alumni status after completing this program?

    No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.


    How long will I have access to the learning materials?

    You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

  • What equipment or technical requirements are there for this program?

    Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.


    Do I need to be online to access the program content?

    Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

    Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.

  • Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

    Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.


    What is the program fee, and what forms of payment do you accept?

    The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.

    • Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this program web page next to FEE).
    • Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.

    What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

    Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.


    I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

    Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.


    How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

    Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.


    Is there an option to make flexible payments for this program?

    Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.


    How can I obtain a W9 form?

    Please connect with us via email for assistance.

  • What is the policy on refunds and withdrawals?

    You may request a full refund within seven days of your payment or 14 days after the published start date of the program, whichever comes later. If your enrollment had previously been deferred, you will not be entitled to a refund. Partial (or pro-rated) refunds are not offered. All withdrawal and refund requests should be sent to admissions@emeritus.org.



    What is the policy on deferrals?

    After the published start date of the program, you have until the midpoint of the program to request to defer to a future cohort of the same program. A deferral request must be submitted along with a specified reason and explanation. Cohort changes may be made only once per enrollment and are subject to availability of other cohorts scheduled at our discretion. This will not be applicable for deferrals within the refund period, and the limit of one deferral per enrollment remains. All deferral requests should be sent to admissions@emeritus.org.

Financing Options

Climb Credit*

We offer financing options with our partner, Climb Credit*. Click here to learn more.
*Applicable for US Residents

Flexible Payment Options For All

Flexible payment options allow you to pay the program fee in installments. Click here to see payment schedule.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Academic Advisors or call us at +1 315 387 4431 (US) / +44 203 838 0836 (UK) / +65 3138 4449 (SG)

Apply Now

Early registrations are encouraged. Seats fill up quickly!