Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization

Get ready for computer science.

Create graphical programs, learn computing mathematics, develop mental models of computer systems.

Instructors: Dr Simon Katan

57,792 already enrolled

Included with Learn more

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3 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Build toward a degree

Learn more

3 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Build toward a degree

Learn more

What you'll learn

1. Use the Javascript language to create interactive programs in the browser with 2D graphics.
2. Convert between number bases, work with modular arithmetic, sequences and series and plot graphs.
3. Develop and use mental models to describe the workings of a range of computer systems.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Web Applications

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from University of London

Specialization - 3 course series

This specialisation covers topics ranging from basic computing principles to the mathematical foundations required for computer science. You will learn fundamental concepts of how computers work, which can be applied to any software or computer system. You will also gain the practical skillset needed to write interactive, graphical programs at an introductory level. The numerical mathematics component will provide you with numerical and computational tools that are essential for the problem solving and modelling stages of computer science.

Applied Learning Project

There are a range of activities included in this specialization that will enable learners to apply and develop their programming skills in a fun and engaging way. Learners will master the fundamentals of computer science by solving mathematical puzzles using interactive techniques, becoming a detective and solving crimes in an interactive sleuth application and apply computer science concepts to solve problems found in daily computer use.

Introduction to Computer Programming

Course 1, 21 hours

What you'll learn

This MOOC provides you with the foundational skill set required to write computer programs. If you are interested in learning how to write interactive, graphical programs from an introductory level in a real programming language, this is the course for you. You will begin by learning the basics of editing and running programs. Then you will learn how to create 2D graphics using shapes and coordinates. Finally, you will learn how to create interactive graphics that you can control with the mouse. You will even solve a set of interactive puzzles using your coding skills in the Sleuth game which has been created especially for this course. The course uses the Javascript language and the p5.js library.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Computer Programming

Category: Data Management

Category: Human Computer Interaction

Category: Computer Graphics

Category: Computer Programming Tools

Category: Event-Driven Programming

Category: Graphical Tools

Category: Interactive Design

Category: Program Development

Category: Development Environment

Category: JavaScript Frameworks

Category: Visualization (Computer Graphics)

Category: Programming Principles

Category: Maintainability

Category: Debugging

Category: Javascript

How Computers Work

Course 2, 10 hours

What you'll learn

Computers are everywhere, they aren't just the desktops and laptops we use for work but the phones in our pockets and even the watches on our wrists are also computers. You probably use a computer every day and in fact you are reading this on a computer!

Just because we use computers all the time, doesn't mean that we understand them, or find them easy to use. Computer Science is the science of computers, it is the field of knowledge that experts use to understand computer systems. Knowing a little computer science will help you understand the computers all around you. This isn't a how-to course for a particular piece of software, instead you will learn some fundamental concepts that you can apply to any software or computer system. You'll apply these concepts to the kind of computer systems we use every day, including word processing applications, e-commerce, the internet and web sites. You will learn how to apply computer science concepts to solve problems in daily computer use and generally be a better computer user. Taking this course could be the start of your career in computer science, and the course is an introduction to the Bachelors in Computer Science from University of London, but it is also for you if you just want to learn a little computer science to help you better understand the computers you use in your ordinary life.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Computer Science

Category: Computer Systems

Category: Network Security

Category: Network Protocols

Category: Debugging

Category: Application Security

Category: Computational Thinking

Category: Computer Networking

Category: Web Applications

Category: General Networking

Category: Software Architecture

Category: Cybersecurity

Category: Computer Literacy

Mathematics for Computer Science

Course 3, 10 hours

What you'll learn

1. Transform numbers between number bases and perform arithmetic in number bases
2. Identify, describe and compute sequences of numbers and their sums.
3. Represent and describe space numerically using coordinates and graphs.
4. Study, represent and describe variations of quantities via functions and their graphs.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Arithmetic

Category: Computer Science

Category: Deductive Reasoning

Category: Geometry

Category: Algebra

Category: Numerical Analysis

Category: Applied Mathematics

Category: Logical Reasoning

Category: Mathematical Modeling

Category: General Mathematics

Category: Cryptography

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Build toward a degree

This Specialization is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of London. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

Instructors

Dr Simon Katan

University of London

1 Course95,082 learners

Offered by

University of London

Goldsmiths, University of London

Why people choose Coursera for their career

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Learner since 2018

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Frequently asked questions

The Specialisation should take approximately 13 weeks to complete. How Computers Work course is 4 weeks long, Introduction to Computer Programming is 3 weeks long, and Mathematics for Computer Science there is 6 weeks long. The courses are flexible so these are indicative timings. Learners can study the courses concurrently but should be mindful of the course load required per week to complete in these time frames.

There is no specific order in which to take the courses.

The Specialisation is non credit bearing, however, it provides a 'taster' of three of the modules taken from the University of London BSc Computer Science suite of degrees.

Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization

Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Specialization - 3 course series

Introduction to Computer Programming

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

How Computers Work

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Mathematics for Computer Science

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Earn a career certificate

Build toward a degree

Instructors

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.

Unlock access to 10,000+ courses with a subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to complete the Specialization?

Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?

Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

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