Roadmap to Beta

[EricThomson]

This issue tracks the initial development timeline for Python 200. Our goal is to have a working beta of Python 200 finished by the end of January 2026 for most modules (see exceptions below). We will create module-specific roadmaps as well: this is the top-level tracker for the entire course build.

Some of the cloud computing modules will likely roll in later, as the infrastructure and setup is more complicated.

Timeline Overview

Analysis Module (Target window: August 18-Sept 2025)

• Kick off and outline content for Week 1
• Draft of Analysis MVP for Week 1

AI Module (Target window: August 25 – Jan 31, 2026)

• Kick off AI module planning and scaffold
• Draft AI Week 5 MVP (LLMs and chatbots)
• Draft AI Week 6 MVP (RAG)
• Draft AI Week 7 MVP (Agents)

Machine Learning Module (Target window: Sept 1 – Jan 31, 2026)

• Kick off ML module planning and scaffold
• Draft ML Week 2 MVP (Regression)
• Draft ML Week 3 MVP (Classification)
• Draft ML Week 4 MVP (Deep Learning)

Cloud Computing (Target window: August 12-April 15, 2026)

The cloud computing track is unique in that there are significantly more moving pieces. In addition to integrating information from other weeks, it also will involve setting up cloud resources, making sure things work for us, and that we have it set up in a way that will work for students.

• Weeks 1–2: Kickoff and ensuring access, plan following weeks (Target Window: August 11-August 22)
• Draft Cloud Week 8 (Intro to the Cloud) (Target Window: August 25 - Sept 5)
• Draft Cloud Week 9 (Compute: AI in the Cloud) (Target Window: Jan 31)
• Draft Cloud Week 10 (Storage: ML in the Cloud) (Target Window: Feb 28)
• Draft Cloud Week 11 (Database: ETL in the Cloud) (Target Window: April 15)

February and March

This is time planned for internal testing, revisions, building up assignments, setting up instructions for virtual environment, materials for instructors, etc.