Python Course for Geoscientists

2 Feb 2026, 09:00 → 6 Feb 2026, 18:00 Europe/Berlin

Ralf Mueller (DKRZ), Jannek Squar (Uni HH), Marco Kulüke (DKRZ), Angelika Heil (DKRZ), Nils-Arne Dreier (DKRZ), Karin Meier-Fleischer (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.

This workshop will take place via Zoom videoconference.

We only offer a limited number of 80 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 02.02.26 we offer a short introduction to Linux and Jupyterhub for those registered participants interested.
• From 03.02.26 on the actual Python course starts for all registered course participants.

 

Registration opens on December 10, 2025, at 10 am here on this page.
 

DKRZ_Python_Course_Registration_GDPR_202602.pdf

Monday 2 February

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 3 February

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 4 February

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 5 February

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 6 February

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