Introduction to Python for Yacht Designers and Naval Architects

[Pablo Sopelana]

Introduction to Python for Yacht Designers and Naval Architects
https://navalapp.com/courses/introduction-to-python/

Python is a powerful open-source programming language and one of the most popular worldwide. Its ecosystem is vast, with libraries and frameworks available for virtually every need, and is supported by a large user community. In this course, we will explore how Python can be leveraged to tackle complex challenges. With the Capstone Project, you will learn to manage big data by analyzing a large dataset of parametrized hull geometries. Completing this course will give you the knowledge and skills to understand and write Python code.

We will begin with an introduction to Google Colab, an easy-to-use online coding environment that requires no installation. You will start by learning Python basics, including syntax, control flow, functions, and object-oriented programming. Then, you will gain hands-on experience with core data structures and control flow tools and dive into libraries like NumPy, Pandas, Scipy, and PyTorch. The course culminates in a Capstone project where you will analyze a dataset of 10,000 hull geometries, applying your new skills to clean, manage, and extract insights from the data. By the end of the course, you will have a solid foundation in Python and be ready to tackle more advanced projects.

We provide all course materials, including code and written documentation.

Capstone Project

The MIT Dataset provides a large amount of information to create a data-driven approach to hull design. It uses diffusion models (DDPMs), a type of generative artificial intelligence, to generate parametric ship hull designs.

The course’s Capstone Project aims to apply Python programming concepts to analyze the MIT Dataset, focusing on hull geometry coefficients and the Froude number. You will learn to manage big data and compute various quantities of interest, applying stability theory and fluid dynamics.

 

[Nicholas Leo]

Hi Pablo,

Thanks for sharing this. I am a programmer but I am studying to get into the yacht design field. Can you share a little more about what Navalapp is in general? Are your courses aimed at new students or experienced designers?

 

[Pablo Sopelana]

Hi Nicholas,

Thanks for your interest.

Navalapp's mission is to create a positive impact on the Yacht Design, Naval Architecture, and Ocean Engineering industries, as well as broader society.

We do it by:
- Providing access to affordable and quality education and training, and job opportunities globally.
- Creating high-quality content for the development of relevant skills for employment, career updating, change, and advancement.
- Promoting networking, entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation, value generation, and financial access.
- Using the latest technologies to generate learning and entrepreneurial opportunities and build a strong community.

The team currently consists of 12 instructors who are either naval architects (MSc and Ph.D.) or Aerospace Engineers (MSc and Ph.D.) with proven industry, research, and/or university records. More instructors will soon join.

The courses are online, video-based, self-paced, and on-demand. They contain videos, quizzes, and downloadable documentation. Students have access to virtual classes where they can interact with the instructors and fellow students and participate in class discussions. Students get the course certificate after finishing the lessons, passing the quizzes, and approving the assignments. Navalapp Students come from over 75 countries, and the number is increasing. The courses are in English and feature English subtitles, but we are also adding Spanish, French, and Italian subtitles (so far).

You can check the courses currently available here: https://navalapp.com/courses/

The courses are aimed at both experienced and non-experienced designers. That means non-experienced designers can follow them because they build up from the basis. But they also provide real value to designers with extensive experience who need to refresh some of their knowledge, expand their skills, or go deeper into some topics. Many of the Students are indeed professionals with a lot of experience in the field. If you have questions about a particular course, do not hesitate to read the information on the course page, watch the free access videos, and/or contact the instructor directly (you can do this by sending a private message to the instructor in Navalapp).

We have also recently launched Learning Paths. A Learning Path is a series of courses designed to guide you in a specific subject area. It provides a roadmap and builds both foundational and advanced skills. You can find more information here: https://navalapp.com/learn/

And we have recently opened a "News" area where we post information about new courses, Navalapp, etc. You can check it here: News – Navalapp https://navalapp.com/news/

I hope you will find this information helpful.

I look forward to meeting you in Navalapp.

 

[Nicholas Leo]

Thanks!

 

[philSweet]

Well, you inspired me to install Python and an editor and give programming a go for the fist time in forty years (there's some stuff you just can't do on a spread sheet.) It's a bit different than the dinosaur Fortran from the 70's. I used to work on some old stuff that didn't really even have an assembler, although some folks sorta built a junk one for themselves. Programming was direct to microcode working off the blueprints of the cpu cards or building new ones on the fly. A team that could get five lines of code out per week was doing good. Debugging was mostly arguing with the guy across the table with the soldering iron trying to convince him he must have built the card wrong.

Who knows, maybe I'll sign up for the course.

 

[Pablo Sopelana]

Hi @philSweet,

It is great to read that the course inspired you to install Python.

You are right: current programming languages, coding environments, tools, processes, documentation, libraries, modules, features like object-oriented programming, available information, etc., have little to do with the old days. That depends on the subject, for sure, but a single developer can code thousands of lines in a single day.

It is definitely worth trying Python. Its syntax closely resembles that of natural languages. It is also an interpreted language, which means it does not need to be compiled into machine language code before execution, making it platform-independent. The course starts from scratch and slowly builds up.

Looking forward to meeting you there!

 

[Pablo Sopelana]