Python Course for Geoscientists

5 Oct 2026, 09:00 → 9 Oct 2026, 18:00 Europe/Berlin

Ralf Mueller (DKRZ), Jannek Squar (Uni HH / DKRZ), Marco Kulüke (DKRZ), Karin Meier-Fleischer (DKRZ), Florian Ziemen (DKRZ), Felix Oertel (DKRZ), Kameswarrao Modali (DKRZ)

 

Target group:  Python beginners
 

In today's world, there is usually no way around the Python programming language in the geosciences. However, learning Python on your own is associated with many difficulties and leads only to unsatisfactory results, which is why this course was developed especially for beginners.

We only offer a limited number of course seats to ensure there is enough time to help with problems. A few additional seats for the waiting list will be taken in the registration which does not guarantee participation.

The course is only offered to our DKRZ users and project partners who are just starting to work with Python.

Notes:

• On 05.10.26 (optional) we offer a short introduction to Linux and Jupyterhub for those registered course participants interested.
• From 06.10.26 on the actual Python course starts for all registered course participants.

This workshop will take place via videoconference.

Registration opens on September 7, 2026, at 10 a.m.

The next course will take place in spring next year.

 

 

 

DKRZ_Python_Course_Registration_GDPR_202610.pdf

Monday 5 October

Day 1: Offer for Linux newbies

Here Linux newbies are briefly taught the basics of working on a Linux computer. This enables the Python course team, to start directly with the Python core language introduction on Tuesday morning.

1 Welcome

A short welcome to the participants and speakers.

2 Difference between a supercomputer and a mobile phone

• what is a node, cpu
• historical development
• architecture

3 What is Python - short overview

• difference between a programming language and Python
• assembler, compiler, interpreter

4 Jupyter notebooks

• connecting to Levante with Jupyterhub
• Jupyterlab
• notebook
• terminal

5 Introduction to Linux

• terminal
• via WSL
• command line and shell
• editor

Tuesday 6 October

Day 2: Python core language

Start of the Python course for all registered course participants.

6 Welcome

• Jupyterhub
• Jupyterlab
• terminal
• copy course material

7 Syntax

• case-sensitive
• print
• indentation and code blocks
• line continuation
• comments

8 Data types

• boolean
• integer
• floating-point
• complex
• conversion between types
• None

9 Strings

• formatting
• string functions

10 Lists, tuples, and sets

11 Dictionaries

• creation
• access

11:15 Coffee break

12 Copy objects

• shallow copy
• deep copy

13 Basic operators and math functions

14 Conditions

12:30 Lunch break

15 Loops

• for
• while

16 List comprehension

• nested

17 Functions

• definition

14:45 Coffee break

18 File I/O

• open
• close
• read
• write
• csv reader

19 Exceptions, error handling

• try and except
• logging
• debugging

Wednesday 7 October

Day 3: Introduction to Numpy, Xarray, and Matplotlib

Introduction to Numpy, Xarray, and Matplotlib

20 Welcome

21 Numpy (1)

10:30 Coffee break

22 Numpy (1/2)

23 Xarray (1)

12:30 Lunch break

24 Xarray (1/2)

15:00 Coffee break

25 Xarray (1/3)

Thursday 8 October

Day 4

26 Welcome

27 Visualization (1)

11:00 Coffee break

28 Visualization (1/2)

12:30 Lunch break

29 Visualization (2)

15:00 Coffee break

30 Visualization (2/2)

Friday 9 October

Day 5

31 Welcome

32 Xarray (2)

10:45 Coffee break

33 Xarray (2/2)

12:30 Lunch break

34 Xarray (2/3)

35 Python in action - GLOBAGRIM

An application example

36 Time for feedback on the finished course