Foundations of Computer Science

This course is part of Introduction to Computer Programming with Visual Basic Specialization

Instructor: LearnQuest Network

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Develop computer programs that utilize classes and objects to solve business and mathematical problems
Develop computer programs that utilize collections of variables to solve business and mathematical problems
Model Object Oriented Programs with UML class diagrams

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

20 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Introduction to Computer Programming with Visual Basic Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

Welcome to Introduction to Programming: Visual Basic. In the course sequence you will learn to write programs that utilize both procedural and object oriented techniques to solve business problems. In the first course in the sequence we will provide you with a solid foundation in the computer science topics that are important to understand when programming Visual Basic. In courses two through four, we will role up our sleeves and start coding in Visual Basic. In these courses you need to have access to a computer that is running Windows, macOS or Linux with the .NET 5 installed. We will show you how to install .NET 5.

Welcome to Foundations of Computer Science, the first course of the Key Technologies of Visual Basic Programming specialization. By enrolling in this course, you are taking the first step to kick start your career in computer programming.

What's included

1 video

In the first week of the course, we will learn about algorithms and talk about problem solving using algorithms. We will also learn about some historical events in computation that lead us to where we are today. By the end of this module, you will know how to identify the different types of data analysis and their use cases. So, let's get started!

What's included

4 videos4 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 24 minutes

Definition of an Algorithm5 minutes
History of Computing6 minutes
Algorithm Efficiency6 minutes
Common Algorithms6 minutes

4 readingsTotal 79 minutes

Algorithm Reading2 minutes
History of Computing Reading45 minutes
Algorithm Analysis Reading2 minutes
Common Algorithm Reading30 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 70 minutes

Practice Algorithm Quiz10 minutes
Practice History of Computing Quiz10 minutes
Practice Algorithm Analysis Quiz10 minutes
Practice Common Algorithm Quiz10 minutes
Module 1 Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Module 1 Discussion Prompt10 minutes

In the second module of this course, we will learn how computers utilize hardware to store data and execute instructions to carry out our algorithms. We will explore binary number systems, Boolean logic, computer circuits and control circuits. We will look at the primary machine architecture that has been used in all modern machines.

What's included

4 videos4 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 24 minutes

Binary Number Systems8 minutes
Boolean Logic Video4 minutes
Computer Circuits Video5 minutes
von-Neumann Architecture Video8 minutes

4 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Binary Number Reading30 minutes
Boolean Logic Reading10 minutes
Circuit Reading10 minutes
von-Neumann Architecture Reading20 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 130 minutes

Practice Binary Number Quiz30 minutes
Practice Boolean Logic Quiz10 minutes
Practice Circuit Quiz30 minutes
Practice von-Neumann Architecture Quiz30 minutes
Module 2 Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Module 2 Discussion Prompt10 minutes

In the third module of this course, we will learn how connecting computers offers opportunities and challenges. We will discuss how computer communicate with each other and ways we can protect the computers while sending communication.

What's included

5 videos4 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

5 videosTotal 41 minutes

Introduction to Networking 7 minutes
Continuation of Networking Overview8 minutes
Introduction to Networking Protocols & Services8 minutes
Introduction to Cloud Computing9 minutes
Information Security9 minutes

4 readingsTotal 110 minutes

Computer Networking Introduction Reading10 minutes
Networking Reading30 minutes
Cloud Computing Reading and Ungraded Activities50 minutes
Information Security Readings20 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Practice Networking Quiz10 minutes
Practice Networking Protocols Quiz10 minutes
Practice Cloud Computing Quiz10 minutes
Practice Information Security Quiz30 minutes
Module 3 Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Module 3 Discussion Prompt10 minutes

In the fourth module of this course, we will touch on some important remaining topics required to understand the place of the software we develop. We will dive into the low-level languages used in computing including assembler and machine language. We then will look at databases as most applications need to store data. Lastly, we will look at how automation and artificial intelligence will affect the programs we develop

What's included

4 videos4 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 21 minutes

Assembly Language Video6 minutes
High-Level Programming Language Video5 minutes
Relational Database Video5 minutes
Automation and Artificial Intelligence Video5 minutes

4 readingsTotal 92 minutes

Assembly Language Reading2 minutes
High-Level Programming Language Reading40 minutes
Relational Database Reading30 minutes
Automation and Artificial Intelligence Reading20 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Practice Assembler Quiz30 minutes
Practice High-Level Programming Language Quiz30 minutes
Practice Relational Database Quiz30 minutes
Practice Automation and Artificial Intelligence Quiz30 minutes
Module 4 Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Module 4 Discussion Prompt10 minutes

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LearnQuest Network

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