5 Best Computer Science Courses Online with Certificate (2023)
Amanda Henderson
One of the most competitive fields in today’s date is programming. In such a happening field where changes occur every year, it is key to stay one step ahead of the curve. A good way to do so is to benefit from online learning and enroll in the best computer science course.
Although, you should know that taking up a poor computer science course won’t be beneficial or provide you with job-ready skills. It can also hamper your new career in the field itself. To help you with this, we’ve curated 5 best computer science online courses today! We’ll go over how each one of them works, their prices, certification, and details.
Best Online Computer Science Certificate Courses (Free & Paid)
| Course Name | Provider | Key Topics | Level | Duration | Certification | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science 101: Master the Theory Behind Programming | Udemy |
• Fundamentals of Computer Science • Core • Sorting Algorithms. |
Beginner | 11 hours | Yes | Learn More |
| Computer Science: Programming with a purpose | Coursera |
• Java Programming • Programming principles. • Algorithms. |
Beginner | 88 hours | No | Learn More |
| Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python | edX |
• Simple algorithms. • Testing and debugging |
Beginner | 9 weeks. | Yes | Learn More |
| Computational Thinking for Problem Solving | Coursera |
• Problem Solving. • Pillars of Computational thinking |
Beginner | 17 hours | Yes | Learn More |
| Learn to Code | Udacity |
• Basics of HTML, Python, CSS, Java. • Introduction to Web Development. |
Beginner | 4 months | No | Learn More |
1) Computer Science 101: Master the Theory Behind Programming (Udemy)
Rating: 4.6 | Duration: 11 hours | Fee: $16.99 | Certificate: Yes | Level: Beginner
Computer Science 101: Master the Theory Behind Programming is well suited for newcomers to the industry. It is one of the best online courses in computer science as it covers the basics like Big O Notation, Arrays, and more in different lectures, one at a time to help students learn efficiently.
It is offered by Kurt Anderson, who has 8 years of experience in this field and has become a self-taught computer scientist. He also holds a computer science degree and firmly believes that any individual with enough practice can become a programmer.
Key Topics
- Understanding the Fundamental Theories of Algorithm Analysis.
- Learn to compare various algorithms.
- Understanding the Fundamentals of Computer Science theory.
- Core sorting Algorithms.
Features
- Additional 21 article resources
- Accessible on both TV and mobile.
- Self-paced and flexible to start.
- Certificate of Completion upon finishing the course.
Practical Assignments
- Array Real World + Code Examples.
- Linked List Real-World Examples.
- Stack and Queue Real World + Code Examples.
- Sorting Algorithm Real World and Quick Sort Code Examples.
- Tree Real World and Code Examples.
- Heaps Real World Examples.
- Real World Hash Table.
Who is this Course for:
- You’re passionate about learning theoretical computer science and haven’t had any experience yet.
- Great pick if your first priority is learning the basic concepts clearly at a low price.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Clear explanation with basic concepts. | Some topics may sound rushed for beginners. |
| Real-life examples are presented with theory. | Course does not contain many coding examples. |
2) Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose (Coursera)
Rating: 4.7 | Duration: 88 hours | Fee: Free of Cost | Certificate: No | Level: Beginner
The Computer Science: Programming with a purpose is another option you can pick. It is the best computer science course for those more interested in learning Java than other languages. We say this because the course predominantly uses Java to explain various concepts. Going over the book ‘Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach’, this course will help you learn the basics of Java, such as arrays, variables, loops, etc. Overall, this is one of the best free computer science courses on this list.
The instructors for this course are Robert Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne. He is a professor of computer science at Princeton University. His main interests are algorithm design, analysis of algorithms, and curriculum development. On the other hand, Kevin is a lecturer at Princeton and has been educating students since 1998.
Key Topics
- Basic Programming Concepts.
- Conditions and Loops.
- Concept of Arrays
- Input and Output.
- Functions and Libraries.
- Abstract Data Types.
Features
- Completely online.
- Allows you to set your deadlines.
- Subtitles are available in different languages.
- Free of cost course.
Practical Assignments
- Practice exercises for different topics such as arrays, conditions, loops, etc.
Who is this Course for:
- Ideal course if you are a high school/first-year college student who is interested in learning about the basics of programming.
- Suite if you are familiar with programming but want to learn Java.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Concise explanation for Java beginners. | Assignments are found to be very tough for beginners. |
| Creative exercises such as quizzes are included. | A good knowledge of Math may be required for assignments. |
3) Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python (edX)
Rating: NA | Duration: 9 weeks | Fee: $75 | Certificate: Yes | Level: Beginner
The Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python is a computer science course for beginners. It assists students with no coding background in learning how to think computationally and write programs. This is the best course for computer science if you prefer to learn Python over other languages and want a computer science online certificate too.
It is offered by three instructors: John Guttag, Eric Grimson, and Ana Bell. All three instructors are affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. John and Eric are professors in this field, while Ana Bell is a senior computer science and electrical engineering lecturer.
Key Topics
- Python programming language.
- Testing and debugging.
- Some of the simple algorithms.
- The Data Structures.
- An informal introduction to algorithmic complexity.
- A Notion of Computation.
Features
- The free version of the course is available.
- Unlimited access to course materials (paid).
- Learners can watch the lectures at any time of their liking.
Practical Assignments
- Graded assignments.
Who is this Course for:
- This a great option if you haven’t learned to program and are serious about understanding how coding works to solve problems.
- Ideal to enroll if you possess high school-level algebra knowledge.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Completion upon finishing the course (paid). | The course is unavailable in certain regions, such as Cuba and Iran. |
| Transcripts for lectures are provided. | No assignments and exams for a free audit |
4) Computational Thinking for Problem Solving (Coursera)
Rating: 4.7 | Duration: 17 hours | Fee: Free | Certificate: Yes | Level: Beginner
Computational Thinking for Problem Solving is a Coursera computer science course. The main aim here is simple: teaching students all about the creation of algorithms. Using the Python language aids learners in writing their first code.
It is offered by Susan Davidson, who has been a Computer and Information Science professor at The University of Pennsylvania since 1982. She also holds Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.
Key Topics
- Pillars of computational thinking.
- Expressing and Analyzing Algorithms.
- Fundamental Operations of a Modern Computer.
- Applied Computational Thinking Using Python.
Features
- Free of cost.
- Certificate upon completion available separately to purchase.
- Entirely online.
- Flexible with no set schedule.
Practical Assignments
- Graded assignments.
- Practice exercises for all topics.
Who is this Course for:
- Suitable if you’re new to programming and want to experience how algorithms are developed via short online courses.
- Befitting if the inner workings of modern-day computers interest you.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Teaches both Python and creates algorithms at once. | The lectures can seem rushed with a lack of elaboration on details. |
| Helps students understand the theory of computer science easily. | Assignments can be challenging for newcomers. |
5) Learn to Code (Udacity)
Rating: 4.7 | Duration: 4 Months | Fee: $1356 | Certificate: Yes | Level: Beginner
Learn to Code is another option that helps you get a computer science certificate online. You will be exposed to app/web development, data science, and more. In fact, even different programming languages, such as Python and Java, are covered here. Further, you can also get a computer science certificate online via this course.
A whooping 7 instructors team provides this course. These instructors hold expertise in their field, with one of them having worked at Google for almost a decade. Others hold important degrees in their respective fields and have real-life experiences, too, making this one of the best online courses for computer science.
Key Topics
- Intro to Web Development.
- Intro to Programming Using Python I and II.
- Intro to JavaScript.
Features
- Multiple instructors from different fields.
- Certificate upon completion.
- Teaches multiple programming languages.
- Real-world projects.
Practical Assignments
- Graded assignments.
- Projects reviewed by experts.
- Building an eCommerce shopping cart’s functionality.
Who is this Course for:
- A fitting option if you want to learn various aspects of modern-day technology simultaneously.
- Best for those without prior experience with programming and who are more passionate about ‘coding’ than just learning.
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| Professional mentor support for resolving doubts. | Course can be costly for students. |
| Teaches multiple in-demand topics at once. | Course is lengthier compared to others. |
FAQs
Conclusion
In a nutshell, these were some of the best computer science courses that you can enroll in. Online computer science programs help us overtake our competition by providing information on the latest trends, ideas, and devices.