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CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals

This is CS50’s introduction to computer science for business professionals, designed for managers, product managers, founders, and decision-makers more generally. Whereas CS50 itself takes a bottom-up approach, emphasizing mastery of low-level concepts and implementation details thereof, this course takes a top-down approach, emphasizing mastery of high-level concepts and design decisions related thereto. Through lectures on computational thinking, programming languages, internet technologies, web development, technology stacks, and cloud computing, this course empowers you to make technological decisions even if not a technologist yourself. You’ll emerge from this course with first-hand appreciation of how it all works and all the more confident in the factors that should guide your decision-making.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Computational thinking
Programming languages
Internet technologies

Web development
Technology stacks
Cloud computing

Computational thinking
Programming languages
Internet technologies
Web development
Technology stacks
Cloud computing

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches computational thinking, which is a foundation for understanding technological problems

Covers programming languages, which are essential for implementing technological solutions

Suitable for managers, product managers, founders, and decision-makers who need a foundational grasp of computer science

Emphasises high-level concepts and design decisions, making it suitable for non-technical professionals

Taught by faculty from Harvard University, known for its academic excellence in computer science

Requires no prior programming or computer science knowledge, making it accessible to beginners

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Reviews summary

Computer science for business concepts

Learners highly recommend CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals. They specifically appreciate the course structure, engaging lectures, and practical assignments. The course is seen as a valuable introduction to computer science concepts for those in business roles. However, it does require a significant time investment and may not be suitable for those with prior programming knowledge.

Well-organized and accessible course materials.

"The course materials were well-organized and comprehensive, providing everything I needed to succeed in the course."

"The course is well-structured, engaging, and provides a solid foundation in essential computer science principles."

Numerous practical assignments and projects.

"The course also provided ample opportunities for hands-on practice, which was crucial for solidifying my understanding of the material."

Assumes no prior programming knowledge.

"The course assumes no prior programming experience, which can be a disadvantage for individuals with some programming background."

Requires a significant time investment.

"The course requires a significant time commitment, with an estimated 10-12 hours of work per week."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals with these activities:

Review "The Innovator's Dilemma"

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Gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of technological innovation.

View The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books) on Amazon

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Read "The Innovator's Dilemma"
Take notes and summarize the key concepts

Organize and review your course materials

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Ensure your course materials are well-organized and easy to review, improving your ability to retain information.

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Gather all your course materials
Organize your materials by topic
Create a study schedule

Attend a workshop on computational thinking

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Attend a workshop to learn more about the basics of computational thinking.

Browse courses on Computational Thinking

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Find a workshop on computational thinking
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop
Take notes and summarize the key concepts

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Review a tutorial on cloud computing

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Review the basics of cloud computing to build a stronger foundation for understanding the course material.

Browse courses on Cloud Computing

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Find a tutorial on cloud computing
Review the tutorial
Take notes and summarize the key concepts

Practice using a programming language

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Practice writing code regularly to improve your understanding of the concepts and develop your skills.

Browse courses on Programming Languages

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Find a programming language
Set aside time to practice
Start with simple programs
Gradually increase the complexity of your programs
Use online resources and forums for help

Develop a technology stack for a web project

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Design and develop a technology stack to improve your understanding of the various components involved in web development.

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Define the scope of your web project
Research different technologies
Select the appropriate technologies for your project
Configure and integrate the technologies
Test and deploy your web project

Help a junior developer understand the course concepts

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Share your knowledge and understanding of the course concepts by mentoring a junior developer.

Browse courses on Web Development

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Find a junior developer to mentor
Schedule regular meetings
Review the course material together
Answer the junior developer's questions
Provide feedback and guidance

Career center

Learners who complete CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and then design and implement solutions to meet those needs. This course would be a great foundation for a career as a Software Engineer as it provides a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals and software development techniques. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to design and develop effective software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

IT Consultant

An IT Consultant provides advice and guidance to businesses on how to use technology to meet their business goals. They may work on projects such as IT strategy, system implementation, and data analysis. This course would be a very useful foundation for a career as an IT Consultant as it provides a broad understanding of computer science and technology trends. This knowledge would be invaluable for understanding how businesses use technology to achieve their goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Web Developer

A Web Developer creates and maintains websites. They work with designers to implement the visual design of a website and with programmers to write the code that makes the website function. This course would be a great starting point for a career as a Web Developer as it provides a solid foundation in web development technologies, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This knowledge would be essential for building and maintaining websites.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst designs, develops, and implements computer systems. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and then design and implement solutions to meet those needs. This course would be a great starting point for a career as a Systems Analyst as it provides a strong understanding of computer science fundamentals and systems analysis techniques. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to design and implement effective computer systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect designs and implements cloud computing solutions for businesses. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and then design and implement solutions to meet those needs. This course would be a great starting point for a career as a Cloud Architect as it provides a strong understanding of cloud computing technologies and principles. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to design and implement effective cloud computing solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Technology Product Manager

A Technology Product Manager guides the development of technology-based products. They determine the product vision and roadmap, lead the product design team, and manage the go-to-market strategy. This course would be very useful for someone interested in a career as a Technology Product Manager as it provides a well-rounded overview of computer science and technology trends. This knowledge would be invaluable for managing product development and making strategic decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Product Manager

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to solve business problems. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and then design and implement solutions to meet those needs. This course would be a great foundation for a career as a Data Scientist as it provides a solid understanding of data science concepts and technologies. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to use data to solve business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst works with stakeholders to understand their business needs and then designs and implements solutions to meet those needs. They may work on projects such as process improvement, system implementation, and data analysis. This course would be a great starting point for a career as a Business Analyst as it provides a strong understanding of business concepts and technologies. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to analyze business needs and design effective solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst protects computer systems and networks from unauthorized access or attacks. They work with stakeholders to understand their security needs and then design and implement solutions to meet those needs. This course would be a great foundation for a career as an Information Security Analyst as it provides a solid understanding of computer security concepts and technologies. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access or attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the development and launch of a product. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and then design and implement solutions to meet those needs. This course would be a great starting point for a career as a Product Manager as it provides a strong understanding of product management concepts and techniques. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to develop and launch successful products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Network Engineer

A Network Engineer designs, implements, and maintains computer networks. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and then design and implement solutions to meet those needs. This course would be a great starting point for a career as a Network Engineer as it provides a strong understanding of computer networking concepts and technologies. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to design and implement effective computer networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning and managing projects. They work with stakeholders to understand their needs and then design and implement solutions to meet those needs. This course would be a great foundation for a career as a Project Manager as it provides a strong understanding of project management concepts and techniques. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to plan and manage successful projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to identify trends and patterns. They use this information to make recommendations for business decisions. This course would be a great foundation for a career as a Data Analyst as it provides an understanding of data analysis techniques and technologies. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to collect, clean, and analyze data to make informed decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

UX Designer

A UX Designer focuses on the user experience of a product or service. They research user needs, design prototypes, and conduct user testing to ensure that the product is easy to use and enjoyable. This course would be a great way to build a foundation for a career as a UX Designer as it provides an understanding of computational thinking, programming languages, and web development. This knowledge would be essential for understanding how to design user-centric products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Software QA Tester

A Software QA Tester works to test new software to check for bugs and correct functionality. By making sure the software works properly, Software QA Testers ensure consumer safety and satisfaction. This course would be an excellent foundation for a career as a Software QA Tester as it provides a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals, including programming languages, internet technologies, and cloud computing. These concepts are essential for understanding how software operates and how to effectively test for problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software QA Tester

Reading list

We've selected 16 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals.