Introduction to Python and Machine Learning for the Biosciences | 11^th Edition

9-12 November 2026 | Online course

Data analysis and machine learning are becoming a core skill for every scientist. This course provides an introduction to a widely-used programming language in science - Python - and introduces the basic concepts of machine learning and data science for the context of biosciences. This course is for researchers and students (e.g. MSc and PhD) without prior knowledge in Python nor machine learning.

Organizer: Paulo de Castro Aguiar, i3S

Target audience: Researchers and students (MSc and PhD) working in the biosciences/ health sciences.

Requirements: This is an online course - a personal laptop with a webcam & microphone is needed, as well as a good internet connection. Anaconda software installed. Prior knowledge in programming is not required.

Course duration: 16h

Time schedule: mornings, 09:00 to 13:00 (Lisbon/London time)

Teaching Language: suitable for English-speaking participants; if all participants speak Portuguese, the course will be in Portuguese.

Poster >>

Program

The program will cover the following topics:

Introduction to the Python programming language.
Syntax, numbers and variables, functions and loops, conditional logic and control flow.
Data input and exploratory data analysis in Python.
Numpy and matplotlib libraries.
Using the scikit-learn library for machine learning workflows.
Basic concepts and use of simple supervised machine learning models for classification tasks.
Basic concepts and use of simple unsupervised machine learning models for clustering tasks.
Evaluation of machine learning models and proper results interpretation.

Registration

The registration fee includes online sessions, course material and certificate*.
Limited number of participants: 24

Course selection criteria: first come first served.

* A certificate of attendance will be issued at the end of the course to participants who attend 75% of the lectures.

Fees:
Early bird registration until 16th July
i3S and P.CCC Raquel Seruca members – 165€
External participants – 230€

Standard registration | From 16th July to 14th September
i3S and P.CCC Raquel Seruca members – 200€
External members – 260€

Pre-registration form >>

4 reduced-fee slots (Fee: 25€) are available for i3S internal PhD students and postdocs on a first-come-first-served basis. Participants have to register the form above.

Cancelation policy:

The i3S will apply the following cancelation policy.

Cancellation by the course participant

In case a registered participant wishes to cancel a payed registration or does not attend the course, the registration fee will not be refunded.

Substitutions will only be made in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the course organisers.

Cancellation by the Institution

The i3S reserves the right to cancel the course, in case of an insufficient number of participants, organizational reasons, or other unforeseeable events that render the execution of the course impossible. In case of cancelation by the organization the fee will be refunded.

In addition, i3S reserves the right to amend course times, dates or published prices if absolutely necessary. The organizer shall immediately inform the pre-registered participants of these alterations. Any cancellation or substitution requests should be requested by e-mail.

Information

More information:
Advanced Training Unit | E-mail: training@i3s.up.pt | Tel: +351 226 074 900

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