CSE 20Beginning Programming in Python
Provides students with Python programming skills and the ability to design programs and read Python code. Topics include data types, control flow, methods and advanced functions, built-in data structures, and introduction to OOP. No prior programming experience is required. Students may not receive credit for CSE 20 after receiving credit for CSE 30. Students with prior programming experience (especially in Python) are encouraged to take CSE Testout Exam to be evaluated for their readiness to take CSE 30 directly: https://undergrad.soe.ucsc.edu/cse-20-testout-exam.
Antirequisite: Students cannot enroll in this class after receiving a C or better in CSE 30.
- Enroll in lecture and associated discussion section.
- Enrollment restricted to frosh, sophomores, or Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Game Design, Bioinformatics, Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics, Electrical Engineering, Network and Digital Technology, Robotics Engineering, and Technology and Information Management majors and Computer Science proposed majors during First Pass enrollment. Restrictions lifted after First Pass enrollment.
Find a section and add it to your scheduleLive seat counts, time-conflict checks and the walk from your previous class.
When it runs
Winter 2027Open Winter 2027
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 1:20pm–2:25pm | ClassroomUnit 001 | I. A. Paranjape | Open 0/130 |
| 02 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 9:20am–10:25am | Earth&Marine B206 | L. A. Munishkina | Open 0/190 |
Fall 2026Open Fall 2026
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Tue Thu 11:40am–1:15pm | ClassroomUnit 002 | H. Yue | Open 103/175 |
| 02 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 4:00pm–5:05pm | Oakes Acad 105 | L. A. Munishkina | Open 17/130 |
| 03 | Lecture | Tue Thu 9:50am–11:25am | Oakes Acad 105 | B. J. Paten | Open 25/115 |
| 04 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 2:40pm–3:45pm | ClassroomUnit 001 | I. A. Paranjape | Open 17/115 |
Summer 2026Open Summer 2026
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 1:00pm–3:30pm | Online | I. A. Paranjape | Open 104/200 |
Spring 2026Open Spring 2026
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 2:40pm–3:45pm | ClassroomUnit 001 | L. A. Munishkina | Open 149/150 |
| 02 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 12:00pm–1:05pm | Oakes Acad 105 | I. A. Paranjape | Open 128/130 |
Winter 2026Open Winter 2026
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 1:20pm–2:25pm | Media Theater M110 | L. A. Munishkina | Closed 240/240 |
| 02 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 4:00pm–5:05pm | Media Theater M110 | I. A. Paranjape | Open 236/240 |
Fall 2025Open Fall 2025
| Section | Type | When | Where | Instructor | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 12:00pm–1:05pm | Humn Lecture Hall | L. A. Munishkina | Open 189/190 |
| 02 | Lecture | Mon Wed Fri 4:00pm–5:05pm | Media Theater M110 | I. A. Paranjape | Closed 61/60 |
| 03 | Lecture | Tue Thu 1:30pm–3:05pm | Media Theater M110 | H. Yue | Open 186/190 |
| 04 | Lecture | Tue Thu 9:50am–11:25am | Media Theater M110 | B. J. Paten | Closed 250/250 |
Who teaches it
| Instructor | Rating | Difficulty | Would take again | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ishaan Paranjape | 3.0 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 | 45% | 28 |
| Larissa Munishkina | 2.6 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 | 41% | 151 |
| Hao Yue | 4.8 / 5 | 1.9 / 5 | 100% | 39 |
| Benedict Paten | 3.9 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 | 72% | 54 |
From RateMyProfessors, which is student-submitted and not a survey. Small review counts move a long way on one bad quarter.
SlugAtlas is a student project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by UC Santa Cruz. Course data is a snapshot of the public class search; myUCSC is authoritative for enrolment.