Have you ever desired to study for a degree in computer science but been unable to afford the exorbitant price of attending college? You`re in luck, though! You can enroll in an absolutely free 4-year computer science degree program through OSSU (Open Source Society University), which offers an amazing open-source curriculum.
A thorough education in computer science principles, which are essential to all computing disciplines, can be obtained at ossu/computer-science. Leading universities` undergraduate computer science major degree requirements are taken into consideration when designing the curriculum. It makes advantage of top-notch classes taught by academics from MIT, Harvard, and Princeton, offered by platforms like edX, Coursera, and Udacity.
Operating systems, computer architecture, software engineering, and programming languages, algorithms, and data structures are all covered in the courses. You can take advanced electives to specialize in subjects like software testing, game theory, linear algebra, and more after fulfilling the prerequisites for the major in computer science.
The fact that you can finish the program at your own pace and that all of the course materials are freely available online are the best features. Even though you can finish in two years if you study for about 20 hours a week, you can modify the timetable to fit your needs. You also become a part of a global network of self-reliant learners who encourage one another.
Prerequisites
Computer science curriculum has prerequisite expectations at different stages:
1.Core CS: Students must have prior high school level math background including algebra, geometry and pre-calculus.
2.Advanced CS: Students can only choose advanced electives after finishing all required courses in the Core CS section first.
3.Advanced Systems: Any student wanting to specialize in the Advanced Systems electives must have previously taken at least one basic physics course in high school or college.
Core CS
The Core CS section has all the coursework equivalent to the first 3 years of a university computer science degree. It builds a strong base across essential areas like:
Core programming: Covers languages, testing, design patterns, architecture, etc.
Core math: Builds mathematical maturity required for data structures, algorithms, etc.
CS tools: Introduces commonly used tools for tasks like version control, shell scripting, etc.
Core systems: Deals with OS, networking, compilation, and computer architecture.
Core theory: Fundamental theoretical concepts like algorithms, NP-completeness, etc.
Core security: Secure coding, cryptography, and vulnerabilities.
Core applications: Databases, machine learning, computer graphics, etc.
Core ethics: Explores ethical implications of technology in society.
Advanced CS
After completing all required Core CS courses, students should choose additional Advanced CS courses based on their interests and intended field.
Advanced Programming: Covers topics like debugging, parallel computing, UML, software architecture, compilers, functional programming with Haskell, and more.
Advanced Systems: Goes deeper into digital logic, computer organization, pipelining, parallel processing, virtualization, and other lower-level computing concepts.
Advanced Theory: Includes formal language theory, Turing machines, computability, concurrency models, computational geometry, logic, and game theory.
Advanced Information Security: Provides more specialized security knowledge like compliance, digital forensics, secure development lifecycle, and verification.
Advanced Math: Includes linear algebra, numerical methods, formal logic, probability theory, and other important mathematical foundations for computer science.