Learning computer science in today’s technology-driven world can open up a lot of career options for you. From web development to artificial intelligence development, all these fields require the knowledge of computer science fundamentals.
In general, computer science involves the study of computers from the functionality point of view. You need to keep in mind that computer hardware manufacturing is not a part of computer science.
If you want to get into fields such as networking, web development, software development , cybersecurity, IoT, etc., it would be a feasible idea to first learn the concepts involved in computer science.
Thanks to the internet, you can today study computer science right from the comfort of your home by enrolling in an online computer science course. However, there are so many courses available online that aim to teach you the fundamentals of computer science and programming. As a result, it is common to feel overwhelmed and have trouble selecting the best course.
In order to assist you in this circumstance, we have put together a list of the top computer science courses that will teach you the fundamentals of programming and computer science.
So, let’s take a look at it right away.
Top 10 Computer Science Courses in 2023
The top 10 courses for learning computer science are listed below:
1. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization
Highlights
- Platform: Coursera
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: 4 months (5 hours/week)
- Instructor: Dr. Edward Anstead, Dr. Simon Katan, Prof. Marco Gillies, Omar Karakchi, and Dr. Matthew Yee-Knag
- Certificate: Yes
-
Prerequisites
- Knowledge of high school mathematics.
Course Overview
Starting this list with an introductory computer science course provided by Coursera. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization is developed by the University of London. It combines 3 different courses, namely Introduction to Computer Programming, How Computers Work, and Mathematics for Computer Science.
With this specialization, you’ll be able to learn various concepts that are essential to learning the working of computers and software. Also, it sheds light on various mathematical concepts utilized in computer science. One thing that you are going to like the most is that you will develop some interactive programs that run on the browser by leveraging the JavaScript programming language.
Key Highlights
- The course will introduce you to various numerical and computational tools.
- You will solve mathematical puzzles to strengthen your knowledge.
- The course contains video lessons that come with subtitles in different languages, including English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.
You can sign up for the course here .
2. Introduction to Computer Science
Highlights
- Platform: Udemy
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: 3 hours 16 minutes
- Instructor: A group of geeks from the University of Geeks
- Certificate: Yes
Prerequisites
- There are no specific prerequisites to take this course.
Course Overview
This Udemy course is another reliable choice if you want to learn computer science from scratch. This short and simple course aims to make you familiar with the basics of computer science. It gives a basic overview of computer programming and algorithms, computer hardware and design, database, networks, and web development. Also, you will learn about the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model , which defines the standards for computers to communicate over a network.
Introduction to Computer Science is created by the University of Geeks and it comprises a total of 9 sections. You’ll learn the course from video lessons, and there are multiple quizzes to help you test your knowledge. Also, after you buy the course, its contents will be accessible for a lifetime.
Key Highlights
- It aids in the development of a fundamental understanding of computer science and its key facets.
- This course is suitable for individuals who want to pursue a career in computer science.
Register for the course here and start learning.
3. Fundamentals of Computing Specialization
Highlights
- Platform: Coursera
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: 7 months (4 hours/week)
- Instructor: John Greiner and Stephon (Top instructors)
-
Certificate:
Yes
Prerequisites
- Knowledge of high-school mathematics.
Course Overview
This is yet another specialization offered by Coursera for individuals who want to learn computer science. It brings together seven different courses that aim to help you learn Python programming, the principles of computing, and algorithmic thinking. There are multiple instructors for this specialization, including John Greiner and Stephon Wong, with both among the top instructors on Coursera.
Fundamentals of Computing Specialization can help you build a solid foundation to pursue a career in computer science. You will learn programming with Python right from scratch. Also, you will work on more than 20 projects to get hands-on experience working with Python. Also, the courses in this specialization will prepare you and develop all the relevant skills required to study advanced concepts in computer science.
Key Highlights
- You'll be able to create Python programs that address issues in the actual world.
- There’s a Capstone exam at the end of the specialization to test your knowledge.
To get started with the course, you can sign up here .
4. CS101 Bootcamp: Introduction to Computer Science & Software
Highlights
- Platform: Udemy
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Instructor: Samuel Spencer
- Certificate: Yes
Prerequisites
- You need a computer system to get started with the course.
Course Overview
If you are looking for a course that allows you to learn the fundamentals of computer science from the ground up, you should consider CS101 Bootcamp: Introduction to Computer Science & Software. Also, it discusses various basic concepts related to programming. As a result, it can assist you in beginning your path to becoming a computer programmer.
The creator of this course is Samuel Spencer, a seasoned web developer. To keep the course short and crisp, Samuel has divided it into 5 sections. At the end of the course, you will develop a rudimentary knowledge of HTML, CSS, web servers, databases , mobile apps, and cloud computing. Additionally, you will get an overview of two popular programming languages, namely Python and Java .
Key Highlights
- The course offers 3 downloadable resources.
- It is the perfect course for complete beginners.
- With an overall rating of 4.1 stars, it is one of Udemy's best-rated computer science courses.
You can sign up here for the course.
5. Computer Science: Algorithms, Theory, and Machines
Highlights
- Platform: Coursera
- Level: Intermediate
- Duration: 20 hours (Approx.)
- Instructor: Robert Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne
- Certificate: Yes
Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of computer science.
Course Overview
If you want to enroll in a course that allows you to deep dive into various computer science concepts, you should consider Computer Science: Algorithms, Theory, and Machines. Princeton University offers this course, and you can access it on Coursera. It will help you learn the history of computer science and the theory of computing.
There are a total of 10 modules in the Computer Science: Algorithms, Theory, and Machines course. While the suggested pace for completing each module is one week, you can modify the learning pace as per your convenience. The key topics covered in the course include sorting and searching algorithms, stacks and queues, Turing machines, Von Neumann machines, combinational circuits, and central processing unit (CPU).
Key Highlights
- The course helps you learn about machine architecture and logic design.
- It discusses various concepts that can help you study advanced computer science topics.
- The subtitles for video lectures are available in multiple languages, including Arabic, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.
Enroll in the course here to start learning.
6. Computer Fundamentals: Operating Systems
Highlights
- Platform: Pluralsight
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: 3 hours 34 minutes
- Instructor: Glenn Weadock
- Certificate: Yes
Prerequisites
- This course has no prerequisites.
Course Overview
We require an operating system , such as Windows or macOS, in order to interact with a computer system. An operating system is the most crucial software that a computer system requires in order to become functional and run other applications. This Pluralsight course will introduce you to the three most popular operating systems used today, namely macOS, Linux and Windows .
The course majorly focuses on discussing the various facets of the Windows Operating System. You’ll learn about the features, installation and upgrade methods, and command-line tools offered by Windows. Additionally, the course will walk you through configuring Windows to act as a network client.
Key Highlights
- The course highlights the key features and tools of macOS and Linux operating systems.
- You will learn the course from video lessons.
- To ensure effective learning, the course is divided into 10 modules.
You can register for the course here .
7. Computer Science Principles: Programming
Highlights
- Platform: LinkedIn Learning
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Instructor: Doug Winnie
- Certificate: Yes
Prerequisites
- There are no technical requirements to take the course.
Course Overview
Computer Science Principles: Programming by LinkedIn is one of the best computer science courses for beginners. It is a short course that you can finish quickly and enrich yourself with the knowledge of programming fundamentals. There are 5 primary sections in this course that cover various topics related to programming, including different forms of programming, variables, functions, API (application programming interface), and object-oriented programming (OOP).
The instructor for this course is Doug Winnie, and in this course, he explains all the essential concepts that you should know if you want to become a programmer. Also, he will make you familiar with some other critical aspects of programming, such as debugging and refactoring.
Key Highlights
- There’s a quiz at the end of each chapter to test what you have learned from the video lectures.
- The course is available on portable devices, like smartphones and tablets.
Get started with the course immediately by signing up here .
8. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python
Highlights
- Platform: edX
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: 9 weeks (14 - 16 hours/week)
- Instructor: John Guttag, Eric Grimson, and Ana Bell
- Certificate: No
Prerequisites
- You should know how to operate a computer system.
Course Overview
If you want to learn Python programming and computer science, this course is a fantastic choice. It is provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is accessible through the edX platform. The instructors for this course are John Guttag, Eric Grimson, and Ana Bell, and they work as professors and lecturers at MIT. They will teach you computer science concepts through video lessons.
The best thing about this course is that it will help you explore various topics that you need to embark on a career in computer science. Additionally, the course intends to make you familiar with Python, one of the most popular programming languages. The course also offers assignments and quizzes to enhance your learning experience.
Key Highlights
- You can access and watch the video lectures anytime.
- People who have little to no programming experience should take this course.
- The course is free to take.
You can enroll in the course here .
9. Number Systems For Computer Scientists
Highlights
- Platform: Educative.io
- Level: Beginner
- Duration: 2 hours (Approx.)
- Certificate: Yes
Prerequisites
- Knowledge of high-school mathematics.
Course Overview
Educative.io brings you this course so that you can learn everything about number systems used in computer science. Number Systems For Computer Scientists helps you get familiar with the binary number system, which governs the working of computer systems. Also, you’ll understand how you can represent a decimal number in the binary number system.
The course has a total of 31 and 266 illustrations to help you understand various concepts. Also, to make it easy for you to test your knowledge, the course comes with several quizzes. The key topics covered in this course include an introduction to various number systems, popular binary operations, signed binary numbers, and floating-point numbers.
Key Highlights
- The fundamentals of computer storage will be covered.
- You will gain knowledge about ASCII, which specifies the common character encoding for electronic communication, through this course.
- You can use the course for free for seven days.
To start learning the course, you can register here .
10. Intro to Theoretical Computer Science
Highlights
- Platform: Udacity
- Level: Intermediate
- Duration: 2 months
- Instructor: Sebastian Wernicke, Sean Bennett, and Sarah Norell
- Certificate: Yes
Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of algorithms and Python programming.
Course Overview
Intro to Theoretical Computer Science is a free course offered by Udacity, which is one of the leading online education providers. With this course, you will learn the theory related to computer science that is essential for learning high-level concepts. Also, it provides you with the knowledge that can come in handy if you want to build a career in fields like web development, data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning .
There are a total of 7 lessons in this course that you can go through to learn various interesting topics. Also, the course is taught by three professional instructors - Sebastian Wernicke, Sean Bennett, and Sarah Norell.
Key Highlights
- You will learn the concepts through several video lessons.
- You get the flexibility to learn the course at your own pace.
- It offers interactive quizzes to help you test your knowledge.
To get started with the course, you can sign up here .
Conclusion
Finally, we reach the end of our list of the best computer science courses. We have included both beginner-level and intermediate-level computer courses, and you can choose a course that you think is best according to your existing knowledge of computer science.
If you are completely new to computer science and want to learn concepts from the ground up, you should choose an introductory course, such as Introduction to Computer Science and CS101 Bootcamp: Introduction to Computer Science & Software. On the other hand, if you want to explore high-level concepts, you can choose an intermediate-level course like Computer Science: Algorithms, Theory, and Machines.
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