Harvard is one of the world’s leading universities and offers hundreds of introductory to advanced courses to help students achieve their career goals. These courses are free and available for everyone, including international students.
A few of these courses are hosted on edX, which is the largest online learning platform backed by world-class universities like MIT and Harvard. Courses are offered on both a live and self-paced basis.
Introduction to Computer Science
If you’re interested in learning more about computer science but don’t want to spend a lot of time or money, we recommend checking out some of the top free online computer science courses available. These courses don’t require a significant time commitment or cost much, and they can be a great way to get a feel for whether or not a career in computer science is right for you.
CS101 is a self-paced course that teaches computer science fundamentals for a zero-prior-experience audience. You’ll learn the essential ideas through engaging puzzles and mobile-friendly content, assuming basic math skills and a desire to learn.
This introductory computer science course taught by Harvard University focuses on fundamental concepts like abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development. It also provides a foundation for students to learn programming languages such as C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript.
CS50: Algorithms and Data Structures
CS50 is Harvard’s largest course and teaches you how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently. It also gives you a solid understanding of different programming languages, such as C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript plus CSS and HTML.
The CS50 course is available online for free on edX. The material is presented through two-hour lectures recorded in the fall semester at Harvard University.
You’ll learn about algorithms, including linear/binary search, searching using code, struct, and recursion. You’ll also learn about data structures, which are the foundation of computer science.
While CS50 has a strong commitment to openness, you do need to create a free edX account in order to complete the course. You can then submit assignments and earn a verified certificate from Harvard.
You’ll work on problem sets, labs, and a final project each week. It takes 100 to 200 hours to complete a full semester.
CS51: Web Design
Whether you’re a student or an aspiring professional, you can find a Harvard edX course that fits your needs and career goals. The Ivy League college offers hundreds of beginner to advanced courses that can help you master a subject area.
This introductory computer science course is perfect for those who want to learn about the fundamentals of web design and development. Using lectures and hands-on projects, students explore topics such as data structures, scalability, security, and user experience.
The Harvard CS51 course is taught by Harvard professor David Malan, who is known for his fun and engaging presentations that include a lively pace on stage and props. Malan also encourages students to take the course on their own time, allowing them to take a break from the classroom or complete a few problem sets at home.
Harvard CS51 is a challenging course, so be prepared to put in some hard work and perseverance. You’ll also need to learn to be flexible, as you might have to retry something multiple times until you come up with the correct solution.
CS52: Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of machines to perceive, synthesize and infer information. AI is used in many everyday technologies, including computers, software and gadgets that help us get work done more quickly.
Besides its uses in the workplace, AI is also playing a big role in society and has helped to assist our daily lives by customizing our feeds on social media, detecting fake news and removing spam comments. In addition, AI can provide early warnings about natural disasters that can be used for mitigation.
The AI courses offered by harvard computer science online free are ideal for both beginners and professionals looking to improve their skills and knowledge in the field. Some are part of Harvard’s campus programs, while others are offered as part of the edX platform.
This course teaches you basic programming languages and concepts, database design, cyber security, web development, computational thinking, and cloud computing. It is a great choice for students who want to learn about the technology and its applications in different fields, such as cyber space law or social science.
