Skip to main content

Individual Course

CS50: Introduction to Computer Science

thumbnail

Course Length

12 weeks

10-20 hours a week

Featuring faculty from:

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences LogoHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Enroll as Individual

Certificate Price:

$ 219

On demand

Enroll on edX

Enroll as Individual

Certificate Price:

$ 219

On demand

Enroll on edX

An introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming in an online course from Harvard.

This is CS50x , Harvard University's introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming for majors and non-majors alike, with or without prior programming experience. An entry-level course taught by David J. Malan, CS50x teaches students how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently. Topics include abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development. Languages include C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript plus CSS and HTML. Problem sets inspired by real-world domains of biology, cryptography, finance, forensics, and gaming. The on-campus version of CS50x , CS50, is Harvard's largest course.

Students who earn a satisfactory score on 9 problem sets (i.e., programming assignments) and a final project are eligible for a certificate. This is a self-paced course–you may take CS50x on your own schedule.

The course will be delivered via edX and connect learners around the world. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Self-Guided

edX

  • Learn from Harvard faculty
  • Do it on your own time
  • Get a certificate, add it to your resume
  • Be part of the Harvard Community
Data Science for Business values

Professional Certificate Series

Complete your journey with a Professional Certificate Series

⁠Professional Certificate in Computer Science for Python Programming

⁠Professional Certificate in Computer Science for Data Science

⁠Professional Certificate in Computer Science for Web Programming

⁠Professional Certificate in Computer Science for Databases using SQL

⁠Professional Certificate in Computer Science for Artificial Intelligence

Professional Certificate in Computer Science for Cybersecurity

Faculty

Your Instructor

Brian Yu

Senior Preceptor in Computer Science, Harvard University

Your Instructor

Doug Lloyd

Senior Preceptor in Computer Science, Harvard University

Your Instructor

David J. Malan

Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Harvard University

David J. Malan is Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science at Harvard University in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences as well as a Member of the Faculty of Education in the Graduate School of Education. He teaches Computer Science 50, otherwise known as CS50, which is among Harvard University's largest courses, one of Yale University's largest courses, and edX's largest MOOC. He also teaches at Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Extension School, and Harvard Summer School.

An example HarvardX certificate

Ways to take this course

Audit or Pursue a Verified Certificate

A Verified Certificate costs $219 and provides unlimited access to full course materials, activities, tests, and forums. At the end of the course, learners who earn a passing grade can receive a certificate.

⁠Alternatively, learners can Audit the course for free and have access to select course material, activities, tests, and forums. Please note that this track does not offer a certificate for learners who earn a passing grade.

FAQs

Yes, to maximize flexibility learners can complete the courses across different runs of the course.

However each individual course must be completed within the same course run as progress on an individual course will not transfer between course runs.

Yes, to maximize flexibility learners can complete the courses across different runs of the course.

However each individual course must be completed within the same course run as progress on an individual course will not transfer between course runs.

Yes! You don’t need to be a computer programmer to start CS50 courses. The HarvardX CS50 courses are designed for those who want to learn the fundamentals of computer science including some commonly used programming languages such as C, Python, SQL, JavaScript plus CSS, and HTML. More advanced courses in the CS50 collection may have prerequisites.

The HarvardX CS50 courses teaches learners the fundamentals of computer science including some commonly used programming languages such as C, Python, SQL, JavaScript plus CSS, and HTML. Learners in CS50 can explore computer science, mobile app and game development, business technologies, and the art of programming in other CS50 courses.

Courses in the HarvardX Data Science Professional certificate teaches learners the fundamental knowledge of data science, including essential data science skills such as data wrangling, programming with R, data visualization and other skills.

For more information on the HarvardX Data Science Professional Certificate on edX, click here.

There are no prerequisites for CS50's Introduction to Computer ScienceandCS50's Introduction to Programming with Python.

Other courses as part of the CS50 collection may have varying degrees of prerequistes, which may include CS50's Introduction to Computer Science.

For more information on prerequisites, please visit https://www.edx.org/cs50 and check the details in the course page. You will find the prerequisites listed in the section “At a Glance”.

Related Blogs