The Open Source Computer Science Degree
This is a curated list of free courses from reputable universities like MIT, Stanford, and Princeton that satisfy the same requirements as an undergraduate Computer Science degree, minus general education.
Computer Science Basics
| Courses | School | Duration | Effort | Frequency | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intro to Computer Science | Harvard | 10 weeks | 10-20 hours/week | self-paced | none |
| Mathematical Thinking in Computer Science | UC San Diego | 6 weeks | 2-5 hours/week | once a month | none |
Programming
| Courses | School | Duration | Effort | Frequency | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software | Duke | 4 weeks | 4-8 hours/week | twice a month | none |
| Java Programming: Arrays, Lists, and Structured Data | Duke | 4 weeks | 4-8 hours/week | twice a month | Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software |
| Object Oriented Programming in Java | Duke | 6 weeks | 4-6 hours/week | every week | Java Programming: Arrays, Lists, and Structured Data |
| Data Structures and Performance | Duke | 6 weeks | 6-10 hours/week | every week | Object Oriented Programming in Java |
| Java Programming: Principles of Software Design | Duke | 4 weeks | 4-8 hours/week | twice a month | Java Programming: Arrays, Lists, and Structured Data |
| Java Programming: Build a Recommendation System | Duke | 4 weeks | 3-6 hours/week | once a month | Java Programming: Principles of Software Design |
| Programming Languages, Part A | UW | 5 weeks | 8-16 hours/week | once a month | Object Oriented Programming in Java |
| Programming Languages, Part B | UW | 3 weeks | 8-16 hours/week | once a month | Programming Languages, Part A |
| Programming Languages, Part C | UW | 3 weeks | 8-16 hours/week | once a month | Programming Languages, Part B |
Math
| Courses | School | Duration | Effort | Frequency | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus 1A: Differentiation | MIT | 12 weeks | 6-10 hours/week | self-paced | pre-calculus |
| Calculus 1B: Integration | MIT | 15 weeks | 6-10 hours/week | self-paced | Calculus 1A: Differentiation |
| Calculus 1C: Coordinate Systems & Infinite Series | MIT | 8 weeks | 6-10 hours/week | self-paced | Calculus 1B: Integration |
| Linear Algebra - Foundations to Frontiers | UT Austin | 15 weeks | 6-10 hours/week | self-paced | pre-calculus |
| Introduction to Probability and Data | Duke | 5 weeks | 5-7 hours/week | twice a month | none |
| Intro to Statistics | Udacity | 8 weeks | 5-7 hours/week | self-paced | none |
Systems
| Courses | School | Duration | Effort | Frequency | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris | Hebrew University of Jerusalem | 6 weeks | 5 hours/week | twice a month | basic programming knowledge |
| Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris II | Hebrew University of Jerusalem | 6 weeks | 10-15 hours/week | once a month | Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris |
| Introduction to Operating Systems | Georgia Tech | 8 weeks | 5-8 hours/week | self-paced | Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris II |
Theory
| Courses | School | Duration | Effort | Frequency | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science: Algorithms, Theory, and Machines | Princeton | 10 weeks | 2-5 hours/week | once a month | Calculus 1A (all), basic programming |
| Algorithms, Part I | Princeton | 6 weeks | 6-12 hours/week | once a month | Computer Science: Algorithms, Theory, and Machines |
| Algorithms, Part II | Princeton | 6 weeks | 6-12 hours/week | once a month | Algorithms, Part I |
Applications
| Courses | School | Duration | Effort | Frequency | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineering: Introduction | UBCx | 6 weeks | 8-10 hours/week | self-paced | Java Programming: Build a Recommendation System |
| Machine Learning | Stanford | 11 weeks | 5-7 hours/week | twice a month | Linear Algebra - Foundations to Frontiers |
| Database Management Essentials | CU | 7 weeks | 4-6 hours/week | twice a month | basic programming & CS knowledge |
| Cryptography I | Stanford | 7 weeks | 5 hours/week | once a month | Linear Algebra - Foundations to Frontiers & Introduction to Probability and Data |
Unix
| Courses | School | Duration | Effort | Frequency | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux Command Line Basics | Udacity | 1 week | 5 hours/week | self-paced | none |
| The Unix Workbench | JHU | 4 weeks | 4 hours/week | once a month | none |