AI extends beyond algorithms; it’s about finding solutions to problems too complex to be fully captured by programming rules or conventional approaches. It’s empowering.

About

SARA SAATCHI, M.S., is a software developer, researcher, and educator with expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep neural networks, and computer vision. She currently teaches computer science courses as an adjunct professor at Mission College and UCSC Silicon Valley Extension, and has also taught at other colleges and universities.

She holds two master’s degrees in Computer Science; one in Bioinformatics from Georgia State University, and another from Kennesaw State University, where her research focused on computer vision and artificial intelligence. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology.

As a certified NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) Ambassador, Saatchi is dedicated to advancing hands-on AI education and connecting academic advances with real-world applications. Her scholarly work includes publications in image processing and AI, emphasizing practical innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Sara Saatchi's courses currently open for enrollment

Python for Data Analysis

DBDA.X420
$980
  • Live-Online Attend via Zoom at scheduled times.
Schedule
Date Start Time End Time Meeting Type Location
Thu, 04-02-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Thu, 04-09-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Thu, 04-16-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Thu, 04-23-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Thu, 04-30-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Thu, 05-07-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Thu, 05-14-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Thu, 05-21-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Thu, 05-28-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Thu, 06-04-2026 6:00pm 9:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
 

Students may still enroll if they missed the 1st class session. However, they need to communicate with the instructor via Canvas and catch up on all missed work prior to the 2nd class meeting.

This class is offered in an online synchronous format. Students are expected to log into this course via Canvas at the start time of scheduled meetings and participate via Zoom, for the duration of each scheduled class meeting.

To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.

You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.

Required Tools & Materials: Students are expected to have computers with Python 3.x, Jupyter Notebooks, libraries: Pandas, Matplotlib and Numpy installed. Installing the Anaconda distribution of Python, gives access to Jupyter Notebooks and all the required libraries. Instructions will be provided.

Murach's Python for Data Science, 2nd Edition, Scott McCoy, Mike Murach and Associates, 2024, ISBN: 978-1943873173.

Recommended Tools & Materials: 
Python for Data Analysis, 3rd Edition,Wes McKinney, O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2022, ISBN: 9781098103989.

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Prerequisites / Skills Needed

Skills Needed:

  • Helpful, but not required, are a basic experience in any programming language and a rudimentary knowledge of statistics.

Python Programming for Beginners

CMPR.X415
$580
Currently no classes scheduled. Would you like to be notified when a class is available?
CMPR.X415
$580
  • Live-Online Attend via Zoom at scheduled times.
Schedule
Date Start Time End Time Meeting Type Location
Sat, 05-02-2026 9:00am 12:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Sat, 05-09-2026 9:00am 12:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Sat, 05-16-2026 9:00am 12:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Sat, 05-30-2026 9:00am 12:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Sat, 06-06-2026 9:00am 12:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
Sat, 06-13-2026 9:00am 12:00pm Live-Online REMOTE
 

This class is offered in an online synchronous format. Students are expected to log into this course via Canvas at the start time of scheduled meetings and participate via Zoom, for the duration of each scheduled class meeting.

No meeting on May 23, 2026. To see all meeting dates, click "Full Schedule" below.

You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.

Required Tools & Materials: Access to a computer with Python version 3.6 or higher and Jupyter Notebook is required. The recommended software to obtain the required tools for this course is Anaconda, free Individual Edition: https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual

Recommended Tools & Materials:
Learn to Program with Python 3: A Step-by-Step Guide to Programming, 2nd edition, Irv Kalb, Apress, 2018, ISBN: 9781484238783.

Murach's Python Programming (2nd Edition), Joel Murach, Michael Urban, Mike Murach and Associates, 2021, ISBN: 9781943872749.

Think Python, Allen B. Downey, O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2015, ISBN: 9781491939413.

 

CMPR.X415
$580
  • Online Self-Paced Work online at your own pace.
Schedule
Date Start Time End Time Meeting Type Location
Tue, 06-09-2026 12:01am 12:02am Online Self-Paced ONLINE
Tue, 09-08-2026 11:58pm 11:59pm Online Self-Paced ONLINE
 

Online Self-Paced courses have a structured learning environment where students are allowed to complete the work at their own pace. Students may complete the coursework early or use the entire duration of the course. This course is largely self-study with instructor guidance and includes online learning modules, assignments, and/or quizzes. All course materials and assignments will be available at the beginning of the course on Canvas, our learning management system.

For this section, student access begins on June 9, but you may still enroll until July 14. All course work must be completed by 11:59 pm on September 8, 2026.

You will be granted access in Canvas to your course site and course materials approximately 24 hours prior to the published start date of the course.

Required Tools & Materials: Access to a computer with Python version 3.6 or higher and Jupyter Notebook is required. The recommended software to obtain the required tools for this course is Anaconda, free Individual Edition: https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual

Recommended Tools & Materials:
Learn to Program with Python 3: A Step-by-Step Guide to Programming, 2nd edition, Irv Kalb, Apress, 2018, ISBN: 9781484238783.

Murach's Python Programming (2nd Edition), Joel Murach, Michael Urban , Mike Murach and Associates, 2021, ISBN: 9781943872749.

Think Python, Allen B. Downey, O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2015, ISBN: 9781491939413.