Introduction to Python Workshop

Note: Some HBC workshops are taught in person and others are taught online via Zoom. Please take note for scheduling purposes!

ONLINE (Zoom) Workshop dates and times:

Tuesday, April 14, 2026: 10 AM - 12 PM

Friday, April 17, 2026: 10 AM - 12 PM

Tuesday, April 21, 2026: 10 AM - 12 PM

Friday, April 24, 2026: 10 AM - 12 PM

Instruction will be mostly learner-centric, requiring a time commitment between the workshop sessions!

Description:

This hands-on workshop will take you from installing Python and writing your first lines of code, to working with real-world data and end with producing visualizations. The focus is on practical skills and applications, with exercises and examples drawn from the life sciences.

We will cover the basics of Python programming*, including data types, functions, and how to use popular libraries such as **NumPy, pandas, and Matplotlib. The goal is to give you a solid foundation in Python programming that you can build upon for your own projects. No prior programming experience is required. By the end, you should feel comfortable reading and writing basic Python code, wrangling data and generating custom visualizations.

Prerequisites:

This is one of our basic workshops, and has NO prerequisites and no prior programming experience is required.

This workshop (or fluency in Python) is a prerequisite for advanced workshops, such as the Introduction of scRNA-seq (Python).

Who should attend?

Researchers who want to learn to:

Setup and install Python and Jupyter Lab
Write basic Python code and execute fundamental programming concepts
Load and analyze data using Python libraries and functions
Wrangle real-world datasets
Create clear visualizations with Matplotlib and Seaborn

Cost:

There is a non-refundable and non-transferable registration fee for this advanced workshop*. After registering below, you will receive an email within a week or two with a link to pay.

Priority is given to Harvard Quad, DF/HCC and Harvard University CFAR researchers, who are subsidized for this workshop at a price of $65. Others interested in our workshops can find our prices here and should register below.

NOTE: You will not have a reserved seat for this workshop until you pay the registration fee. Please make sure you pay within the time stated in that email, else you will lose your spot to someone on the waitlist.

*NOTE: HMS Graduate Students may receive waivers on registration fees. Please register and we’ll followup with you.

Registration:

Please make sure you take the following into account when signing up for the workshop:

Mandatory attendance for all four classes.
3-5 hours of reading and exercises from selected lessons before each workshop sessions.
Active participation during discussion sessions.

(Please check the eligibility requirements below prior to registering)

Priority:

Priority is given to Harvard-affiliated researchers:

at the Harvard Medical School in a lab on the Quad, with grants administered by HMS OR
at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, with grants administered by HMS Gordon Hall OR
an HMS graduate student OR
affiliated with Dana-Farber / Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC)
an AIDS researcher affiliated with Harvard Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)

NOTE: We do not record our training sessions.

Questions?

Please email us at hbctraining@hsph.harvard.edu with any questions.