Advanced Python for Ecologists and Evolutionary Biologists (APYBPR)
Take your Python skills further. Learn OOP, testing, and optimisation for complex bioinformatics tasks.
Duration: 28 hours
Format: Recorded ‘on-demand’ Format
£480Registration Fee
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- Overview
- Instructors
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Course Description
Python is a dynamic, readable language that is a popular platform for all types of bioinformatics work, from simple one-off scripts to large, complex software projects. This workshop aims to give novice programmers an introduction to using Python for research in evolutionary biology and genomics by using biological examples throughout. We will use example datasets and problems themed around sequence analysis, taxonomy and ecology, with plenty of time for participants to work on their own research data.
The workshop will use examples and exercises drawn from various aspects of bioinformatics work. After completing the workshop, students should be in a position to (1) take advantage of the advanced language features in their own programs and (2) use appropriate tools when developing software programs. They will also have a deeper understanding of how Python works internally, which will be invaluable when making sense of existing code and packages.
What You’ll Learn
- Language features (recursion, complex data structures, comprehensions, exceptions) that are relevant to bioinformatics work.
- Development tools (benchmarking, profiling, unit testing) that can make it easier for us to write code that is both *fast* and *correct*.
- Different programming styles and concepts (object-oriented programming, functional programming) that are suitable for different kinds of problems.
Course Format
Flexible Learning Structure
Learn through a carefully structured mix of lecture recordings and guided exercises that you can pause, revisit, and complete at your own pace—ideal for busy professionals or those balancing multiple commitments.
Access Anytime, Anywhere
All course content is available on-demand, making it accessible across all time zones without the need to attend live sessions or adjust your schedule.
Independent Exploration with Support
Engage deeply with course topics through self-directed study, with the option to reach out to instructors via email for clarification or deeper discussion.
Comprehensive Learning Resources
Gain full access to the same high-quality materials provided in live sessions, including code, datasets, and presentation slides—all available to download and keep. Please note recordings can only be streamed.
Work With Your Own Data, On Your Terms
Apply what you learn directly to your own data projects as you go, allowing for a personalized and immediately practical learning experience.
Continued Guidance and Resource Access
Receive 30 days of post-enrolment email support and unrestricted access to all session recordings for 60 days, so you can review and reinforce your learning as needed.
Who Should Attend / Intended Audiences
This workshop is designed for researchers and technical staff with a background in biology who want to learn programming, especially those with no prior coding experience. While those with some programming knowledge are welcome, the pace is geared toward complete beginners. Participants should have a basic understanding of biological concepts like DNA, protein sequences, translation, and gene structure, but no advanced computer skills or math knowledge are required. The focus is on practical problem-solving rather than theory or statistics. A laptop with admin rights and Python installed is necessary, and all required software and data will be provided in advance. For more information, contact Martin Jones at martin@pythonforbiologists.com.
Equipment and Software requirements
A laptop computer with a working version of Python is required. Python is free and open-source software for PCs, Macs, and Linux computers.
While not essential, using a large monitor—or ideally a dual-monitor setup—can significantly enhance your learning experience by allowing you to view course materials and work in Python simultaneously.
Dr. Martin Jones
Martin is a freelance trainer specialising in programming and Linux skills tailored for researchers in biological sciences. With a background in biology and a PhD in large-scale phylogenetics, Martin combines deep scientific expertise with practical computational training to empower researchers to leverage coding and open-source tools in their work.
His teaching primarily focuses on Python programming and Linux, with an emphasis on applications relevant to biological data analysis. Since launching Python for Biologists in 2015, Martin has dedicated himself full-time to teaching and writing, helping bridge the gap between biology and computational skills.
Education & Career
• PhD in Large-Scale Phylogenetics, 2007
• Former Lecturer in Bioinformatics, University of Edinburgh
• Founder of Python for Biologists (2015–present)
• Over a decade of experience training biologists in programming and Linux
Training & Skills
Martin specialises in:
• Python programming for biological research
• Linux command line and scripting
• Bioinformatics workflows and reproducible research practices
Professional Focus
Martin’s work focuses on equipping life scientists with the computational tools necessary to analyse complex biological datasets. He advocates for practical, hands-on training that helps researchers automate tasks, perform reproducible analyses, and develop programming confidence.
Teaching & Writing
• Full-time educator and author on programming for biologists
• Creator of tutorials, workshops, and online courses in Python and Linux
• Active in the bioinformatics and computational biology training community
Links
• Python for Biologists
Testimonials
PR Stats offers a great lineup of courses on statistical and analytical methods that are super relevant for ecologists and biologists. My lab and I have taken several of their courses—like Bayesian mixing models, time series analysis, and machine/deep learning—and we've found them very informative and directly useful for our work. I often recommend PR Stats to my students and colleagues as a great way to brush up on or learn new R-based statistical skills.
Rolando O. Santos
PhD Assistant Professor, Florida International University
Courses attended
SIMM05, IMDL03, ITSA02, GEEE01 and MOVE07
Testimonials
PR Stats provided excellent training in stable isotope analysis through the SIMMPR course, which was incredibly valuable for my research. I was fortunate to attend the course through a generous fee waiver, which directly supported my work and enabled me to develop skills that contributed to my recent publication on reservoir food webs in Sri Lanka. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and support, and would highly recommend their courses to others working in ecological research.
Subodha Silva
Aquatic Ecology Researcher
Courses attended
SIMMPR
Testimonials
PR Stats has become an invaluable part of developing my skills in advanced statistical and spatial analysis. Through training in areas such as Bayesian statistics and Species Distribution Modelling, I’ve gained both practical expertise and exposure to leading experts in the field. The impact on my research has been significant with at least four of my published papers have been directly influenced by PR Stats courses. My most recent work benefitted from modelling advice on sample design and model accuracy evaluation and can be seen here.
Carlos P.E. Bedson
Quantitative Spatial Ecology, Ecology and Environment Research Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Courses attended
ADVR08, ENMR03, BMIN02, ISBD01, BADA01, SDMB06
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the product and billing.
When will I receive instructions on how to join?
You’ll receive an email on the Friday before the course begins, with full instructions on how to join via Zoom. Please ensure you have Zoom installed in advance.
Do I need administrator rights on my computer?
I’m attending the course live — will I also get access to the session recordings?
I can’t attend every live session — can I join some sessions live and catch up on others later?
I’m in a different time zone and plan to follow the course via recordings. When will these be available?
I can’t attend live — how can I ask questions?
Will I receive a certificate?
When will I receive instructions on how to join?
You’ll receive an email on the Friday before the course begins, with full instructions on how to join via Zoom. Please ensure you have Zoom installed in advance.
Do I need administrator rights on my computer?
I’m attending the course live — will I also get access to the session recordings?
I can’t attend every live session — can I join some sessions live and catch up on others later?
I’m in a different time zone and plan to follow the course via recordings. When will these be available?
I can’t attend live — how can I ask questions?
Will I receive a certificate?
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