Computer Science Courses Worth Taking Online

Computer Programming: Computer science professionals write code with programming languages that tell computers to perform tasks. Some computer programming courses provide a broad introduction to programming languages, while others focus more narrowly on one or more languages, like JavaScript, Python, or C++.

Computer Engineering: These classes incorporate computer science and electrical engineering concepts to explore computer hardware development and design fundamentals. Topics may include circuit boards, operating systems, and robotics.

Cybersecurity: A typical cybersecurity class explores computer risk management, information security policies, and penetration testing. Coursework may cover a broad introduction to the subfield or focus on specific tools and practices.

Data Science: This field uses advanced tools to apply data in problem-solving contexts. Students in data science courses learn about data mining, data visualization, statistics, and machine learning.

Information Systems: Information systems classes explore how organizations can use information technology to solve problems. Topics include application design, human-computer interaction, and information systems theories and practices.

Network Administration: Students explore ways to make computer networks run effectively. Enrollees learn to install, fix, and upgrade computer networks. The curriculum may include aspects of data management, web development, and networking solutions.

Software Development: These classes teach learners to create, test, and maintain modern computer applications. The curriculum may cover programming languages, software security, algorithms, and data structures.

Introduction to Computer Science (CS50x)

This Harvard University course, available through edX, provides a broad understanding of computer science fundamentals through theoretical and practical topics. It starts from scratch, making it ideal for beginners and those with some experience. Upon completion, learners earn a certificate of completion from Harvard University's online learning platform, edX.

Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate SAA-C03

This Udemy course covers the fundamentals of building IT infrastructure on Amazon Web Services (AWS). It helps prepare students for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam.

Data Structures & Algorithms I: ArrayLists, LinkedLists, Stacks, and Queues

This Georgia Tech uses the edX platform to explore data storage in Arrays, ArrayLists, and LinkedList nodes — ideal for those with basic Java and object-oriented programming knowledge. It incorporates instructional videos, labs, comprehension questions, and Java coding assignments.

Serverless Apps with FastAPI, DynamoDB, and Vue

Students will build serverless web applications with FastAPI and Vue running on AWS. They can construct APIs on AWS Lambda, deploy FastAPI apps through CI/CD on GitHub Actions and Serverless Framework, authenticate with Cognito, and monitor with CloudWatch. The course is for advanced beginners with at least six months of web development experience.

The Complete SQL Bootcamp 2023: Go from Zero to Hero

This course will teach you how to use SQL to query a database and perform data analysis. With nine hours of on-demand video and detailed code notebooks for every lecture, this is one of the most comprehensive courses for SQL.

Introduction to Cybersecurity

This course is a comprehensive introduction to the modern cybersecurity landscape. Students learn about the latest types and methods of cyberattacks, as well as modern strategies for protecting systems and information. Enrollees develop familiarity with concepts such as malware, networking security, and web security. They will also receive hands-on experience with basic cybersecurity techniques.

Python for Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp

This course provides an introduction to data science and machine learning using Python. Students will gain practical experience with Python's popular data science libraries like pandas, seaborn, Matplotlib, plotly, and scikit-learn. It's a perfect course for beginners or anyone looking to refresh their data science and machine learning skills.

Building a Basic Website

This free 12-lesson class — the first MOOC from University of Massachusetts Amherst — helps students develop the design skills to build basic websites. The journalism department created this course for a general audience. Subjects include styles of navigation, aesthetic choices, and basic HTML and CSS. The class also explores using templates, integrating images, and adding plugins and other extra features to websites.

Computer System Engineering

This course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science provides a foundation in software and hardware engineering. Students design distributed systems to solve problems in the real world through hands-on projects.

Databases: Relational Databases and SQL

This self-paced MOOC from Stanford Online joins four other database-related classes from Stanford University. The curriculum introduces concepts in relational databases and SQL. Learners need strong backgrounds in basic computer science, including programming and computer science theory. The class includes access to detailed lecture notes. Participants can pay a fee to receive shareable certificates upon completion.

Intro to Theoretical Computer Science

This self-paced theoretical computer science class welcomes intermediate students with a basic understanding of introductory algorithms and computer programming. It explores complexity classes, approximate solutions, and unsolvable computer problems. Students learn to use tools to handle complicated algorithmic problems, but the course does not require prior knowledge of theoretical computer science.

Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science

MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers this introductory data science course through its open courseware program. This class can help students who do not have computer science experience. The curriculum covers machine learning, classification, and clustering.

Introduction to Data Science with Python

HarvardX's intermediate, self-paced course provides practical experience with using Python to answer real-world questions. The curriculum focuses on machine learning and the foundations of data science. In the final week of the class, each student completes a capstone project. The free program offers an optional paid upgrade, which delivers a shareable certificate after completion, graded assignments, and exams.

Secure Software Development: Requirements, Design, and Reuse

This self-paced introductory class, offered through edX, explores the basics of secure software development. Students learn to create secure software and respond to attacks effectively. The class requires basic software creation knowledge for developers, software engineers, and other professionals. The course is one of three in the Secure Software Development Fundamentals Professional Certificate program.