Introduction to Programming 
Nanodegree Syllabus   
Learn to Code 
 

Before You Start 

Prerequisites: In order to succeed, we recommend having experience using the web, being able to perform 
a search on Google, and (most importantly) the determination to keep pushing forward! Prior programming 
experience is not required. 
 
Educational Objectives: This introductory Nanodegree program teaches you the foundational skills all 
programmers use, whether they program mobile apps, create web pages, or analyze data. It is ideal for 
beginners who want to learn new skills, make informed choices about career goals, and set themselves up 
for success in career-track Nanodegree programs. 
 
Length of Program*: 190 Hours 
Textbooks required: None 
Instructional Tools Available: Video lectures, Mentors, Forums 
 
*The length is an estimation of total hours the average student may take to complete all required 
coursework, including lecture and project time. If you spend about 10 hours per week working through the 
program, you should finish in 17 - 19 weeks, so approximately 4.5 months. Actual hours may vary. 
 

Project: Getting Started with HTML Estimated Time: 10 hours 

For this project, you will submit your very first programming file containing HTML code. HTML is the coding 
language for building websites. We recommend taking notes from this section and using your notes as the 
content for your HTML file. This project is not graded. Our reviewers will provide you with helpful 
suggestions and advice for learning in this program. 

Supporting Lesson Content: Intro to the Web and HTML Basics 

Lesson Title  Learning Outcomes 

Welcome to the  ➔ Understanding on how to set up for the program on your personal device 
Nanodegree  ➔ Introduction to the “Programmer Mindset” 
➔ Successfully writing and rendering your first lines of HTML code with a 

 
 

text editor and browser 

Nanodegree Orientation  ➔ Understanding on how to submit projects 

➔ Understanding on student support services offered for students 
◆ Student Forums, Slack Community, 1:1 Video Appointments 
➔ Habits of Successful Students 

The World Wide Web  ➔ High level overview on how the web works 
➔ Components of the web: browsers, HTTP requests, Servers, the Internet 

HTML Basics  ➔ HTML tags 

➔ Adding Images 
➔ HTML Syntax 
➔ Whitespace 
➔ Inline vs Block elements 
➔ HTML Document Structure 

Project: Make a Web Page Estimated Time: 30 hours 

In this section, you’ll learn both HTML and CSS - both languages for developing websites. For the project, 
you'll use HTML and CSS to make a stylish web page on any topic. You will apply your knowledge of HTML 
Document Structure to your html file and then create custom CSS styling based on your personal 
preferences. This project will demonstrate your understanding of linking CSS files in HTML files, 
implementing CSS classes to avoid repetition, as well create semantically organized HTML code. 

Supporting Lesson Content: HTML Syntax & CSS 

Lesson Title  Learning Outcomes 

Creating a Structured  ➔ Page Structure 

Document  ➔ Visual Styling 
➔ Designing with Boxes 

Work Session: HTML  ➔ Apply what you’ve learned to your first project 
Structure  ➔ Share and Discuss on the Student Forums 

Adding CSS for Style  ➔ Understanding CSS 

➔ Divs, Spans, and Classes 
➔ Semantic Tags 
➔ Using DevTools in the Browser 
➔ Verifying HTML and CSS files 
➔ Debugging HTML and CSS code 

Work Session: CSS Practice  ➔ Apply what you’ve learned to your own html and css files 
➔ Continued Learning opportunities with pre-recording webcast sessions 

 
 

Project: Code Your Own Quiz Estimated Time: 60 hours 

In this section, you will learn the Python programming language. You will finish by building your own 
fill-in-the blank style quiz that can even be used as a study tool to help you remember important vocabulary. 

Supporting Lesson Content: Python Programming 

Lesson Title  Learning Outcomes 

Getting Setup with Python  ➔ Installing Python and learning Command Line Interface (CLI) basics 

Introduction to Serious  ➔ Write your first lines of Python code 

Programming  ➔ Learn about language ambiguity:human language vs computer language 
➔ Python expressions for math problems 

Basic Debugging  ➔ Explore syntax error messages and troubleshoot basic Python code 

Variables & Strings  ➔ Learn how to store values in Variables and work with text as Strings 
➔ Selecting substrings with String Indexing 

String Manipulation  ➔ Use String methods: slicing, concatenation, find, and replace 

Input → Function →  ➔ Learn how to use functions to take an input and transform it into some 
Output  output 

Print vs Return  ➔ Understand the difference between print and return statements  

Control Flow & Loops  ➔ Learn how to manage the flow of a computer program using Boolean 
values, if statements, and While loops 

Debugging  ➔ Get acquainted with five key debugging strategies to help you address 
problems in your code 

Mad Libs Generator  ➔ Use the skills you’ve learned so far to continue developing your Mad Libs 
generator 

Structured Data: Lists &  ➔ Use Lists to store more complex data 
For Loops  ➔ Use For loops to programmatically access each item within a List 

How to Solve Problems  ➔ Practice problem-solving techniques by breaking down large problems 
into smaller ones. 

   

 
 

Project: Create a Movie Website Estimated Time: 40 hours 

For this project, you'll write code to store a list of your favorite movies, including box art imagery and a 
movie trailer URL. You will then use your code to generate a static web page allowing visitors to browse their 
movies and watch the trailer. 

Supporting Lesson Content: Object-Oriented Programming 

Lesson Title  Learning Outcomes 

Mini-Project: Take a Break  ➔ Using documentation to find useful libraries for problem-solving 
➔ Create a program that uses Python modules: time and webbrowser 

Mini-Project: Secret  ➔ Learn how to open files with Python code 

Message  ➔ Use documentation to learn how to rename files 
➔ Decode a secret message with Python module: os 

Mini-Project: Draw Turtles  ➔ Use Python Turtle graphics to create shapes with a GUI (graphical user 
interface) 
➔ Understanding of Classes and Objects in Python 

Mini-Project: Send a Text  ➔ Use the Twilio API to make a program that sends a text message to your 
phone 

Mini-Project: Profanity  ➔ Create program that checks for profanity in a message and replaces curse 
Editor  words 

Movie Website Creation  ➔ Make a movie website using the concept of Classes in Python as well as 
your understanding of HTML & CSS 

Advanced Class Making  ➔ Learn about advanced ideas in Object Oriented Programming like class 
variables, inheritance, reusing methods, and method overloading 
   

 
 

Discover Your Path Estimated Time: 10 hours 

In this section, there is no project submission. Instead, you will explore a quick overview of the vast world of 
programming. After this section, you'll have a better understanding of different options you have as a 
programmer. This will help guide to in your final project for this program. 

Supporting Lesson Content: Exploration of Five Programming Career Tracks 

Lesson Title  Learning Outcomes 

Front-End Programming  ➔ Learn about front-end web developers who create intuitive and 
responsive websites 

Back-End Programming  ➔ Learn about back-end web programmers who write server-side code to 
build web apps that serve millions of people worldwide 

Mobile Programming  ➔ Learn about mobile programming and the differences between iOS and 
Android programming 

Data Analysis  ➔ Learn about data analysts who analyze data to direct growth and make 
Programming  informed decisions 

Reverse Engineer Project  ➔ Dissect a fully-functioning web app and identify the roles of various 
Compass  programmers in its creation 
 
 
   

 
 

Project: Choose Your Path - Final Project Estimated Time: 20 - 40 hours 

Choose one of the five paths (Front-End, Back-End, Android, Data Analyst, or iOS) and complete the 
associated course and project of your choosing. After you have met specifications on one of these project 
options (as well as the other required projects), you'll be eligible to graduate. 

Supporting Lesson Content: Choice of content from five career-track programs. 

Elective Title  Learning Outcomes 

Front-End Developer  ➔ This Project is all about demonstrating your mastery of HTML, CSS, and 
Project: Memory Game  JavaScript. You’ll build a complete browser-based card matching game 
(also known as Concentration). But this isn’t just any memory game! It’s a 
snazzy, well-designed, and feature-packed memory game! 

Back-End Developer  ➔ In this project, you'll practice your SQL skills by building a reporting tool 
Project: Logs Analysis  that summarizes data from a large database. 

Android Developer  ➔ In this project, you will build your first Android app - a design for a local 
Project: Your First App  business that could be used as a business card. 

Data Analyst  ➔ In this project, you will choose one of Udacity's curated datasets and 
Project: Investigate a  investigate it using NumPy and pandas. You’ll complete the entire data 
Dataset  analysis process, starting by posing a question and finishing by sharing 
your findings. 

iOS Developer  ➔ In this project, you will create an iPhone app that records a conversation 
Project: Pitch Perfect  with you and a friend and plays it back to make you sound like a chipmunk 
or Darth Vader!