Computer Programming Language Course

[NAP]

I am looking for a college course in R Statistical Programming Language. I would prefer a distance/online course. (Is that realistic for this type of course?) I would like to take it as preparation for a master’s program. So far, I have not been able to find any mention of one at the undergraduate level.

Any ideas for where to find this?

If not, could an Intro to Programming course be a suitable substitute? Then, I could learn the specifics of R through books/websites.

I have learned about basic HTML to code a website. Is that a similar idea to computer programming or very different?

Thank you so much for any help and advice!

[scorched]

What your looking for is a class on computational statistics.

If you google "computational statistics with r" and you will get some ideas of where look.

I think ucla has stats 102a, not sure if avail online.

[NAP]

Thanks for the great lead! At UCLA, it is upper-level, is part of the statistics department, and has prerequisites. That explains why I have been having trouble finding this course.

If anyone else has more information to share, please do; I would really appreciate it.

[scorched]

sorry i was in a rush to post before heading out and didnt quite answer or help all that much.

so if you have done html coding that will help, and if you have had stats classes already that will be the big help. because R is just a stats calculator/grapher so having some kind of coding and already understanding stats should help.

look at this site first and see if you think you can handle it.
An Introduction to R

its easy to download and install on windows and mac platforms.


also there are tons of sites like the following for an opencourse like class
Introduction to R: A course in the statistical programming environment R

[SRT12]

If you haven't taken an Intro to programming you need to. WHatever they teach it in java or C++. You need to get the understanding of programming its different than HTML. If you plan on going to grad school for some sort of computer degree you need a couple computer language courses (data structures, algorithms) also.

[ryoder]

If you know HTML I would suggest getting a javascript for dummies book and forcing yourself through it.
Javascript is becoming more and more important every day and is the language of the web since it runs in every single browser. It is also a very accessible language to code in since you just need notepad and internet explorer or firefox to get started.
You could probably teach yourself basic javascript if you can force yourself to read the whole dummies book and do all of the practice exercises in a couple of weeks.

[dcan]

Start with Python. Simple, elegant, and incredibly readable. Despite the name, the (free online) book "Learn Python the Hard Way" is very very good and very thorough.

Learn Python The Hard Way | A Beginner Programming Book

Have you always wanted to learn how to code but never thought you could? Are you looking to build a foundation for more complex coding? Do you want to challenge your brain in a new way? Then Learn Python the Hard Way is the book for you.
The Hard Way Is Easier

LPTHW emphasizes precision, attention to detail, and persistence by requiring you to type each exercise (no copy-paste!) and make it run, as well as to read up on outside topics and to return to exercises and ideas that you don't understand, and understand them.

At the end of LPTHW, you'll know the basics of coding, and be ready to move on to more challenging books. Or at least you'll have tried something new.

[scorched]

is the goal to learn R for stats or a programming language?

if stats then your knowledge of HTML structure and syntax is enough to learn R.
if programming, then yes the advice of python is a great place to start. seek out "python programming: and introduction to computer science" book. can be found in pdf as well.

[NAP]

Thank you all for taking the time to provide extra details! I think they will be helpful to me.

Yes, this is to prepare for a master’s program in biostatistics. Several years ago, I had been told some background in Basic/C++/Fortran would be a good idea. It looks like R is more specific to the courses offered in the degree now.

For now, I think I should focus on finding a course for R. I would prefer to learn it on my own (thanks for all of the links!), but it may be better to be able to earn college credit for it.

If anyone else has seen a college course in R, please let me know.

[ryoder]

The reason I suggested javascript is that all programmers who write web based code have to know javascript. If you build a web application with python you will still have to write javascript at some point in time. The same goes with C#, C++, Java or any language that emits HTML. Even static HTML sites use javascript.

I know a lot of smart programmers who freak out when they have to write javascript.