Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone from Coursera

This course will guide you through fundamental concepts and skills to confidently navigate various aspects of IT and the digital world. You will be introduced to the vast field of IT, covering a wide range of topics to build your IT knowledge. You will delve into hardware, operating systems technology, software, programming, databases, networking, storage, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and support and operations.

Designed to summarize the IT Fundamentals and Cloud specialization courses, this course is ideal for individuals seeking non-IT practitioner roles, such as project managers. It provides essential insights into the IT field, equipping you to collaborate effectively with IT teams and make informed decisions within your role. Each lesson contains materials such as hands-on labs and interactive activities to practice your newfound skills, glossaries to help you learn new vocabulary, as well as practice and graded quizzes to assess what you’ve learned.

If you seek a non-technical role in the IT industry, this course provides you with a strong foundation so you can thrive in the ever-evolving IT landscape.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

This week you will learn about computer hardware and operating systems. Lesson one presents computing fundamentals such as types of devices, their benefits, their internal components, and peripheral devices. Other hardware you will learn about includes printers, display devices, and port types, along with their connectors. In lesson two, you will be introduced to operating systems for the devices you learned about in lesson one. You will learn how those operating systems implement files and folders and the basic operations you can perform on them.

Introduction to Software, Programming, and Databases

This module has three lessons that cover the basics of software, web browsers, programming languages, and database fundamentals. The first lesson addresses software applications, where you learn about the differences between open-source and commercial software, software versioning, file formats, and components of web browsers. In the second lesson, you will explore some basic programming concepts. In the third lesson, you investigate databases, where you compare and contrast different types of database storage and manipulation.

Introduction to Networking and Storage

In this two-lesson module, you learn about networking and storage. Lesson one focuses on networking, where you investigate concepts such as comparing and contrasting types of networks’ topologies, the cables used to connect devices to a network, and the common ports those cables use. You learn about network connections and how to adjust network settings in Windows. In lesson two, you are presented with types of local storage devices compared to hosted storage and sharing and how to troubleshoot storage issues.

Introduction to Cybersecurity Essentials

In the two instructional lessons in this module, you will be introduced to some fundamental concepts in cybersecurity. First, you hear about the confidentiality, integrity, and availability triad and then about intellectual property and confidential information. Then you will learn about types of threats, breaches, and attacks. You will explore password management, access control, authorization, and single-sign-on authentication. In lesson two, you will learn about safe browsing practices such as application ecosystem security, plug-ins, extensions, and toolbars. You will also learn about public browsing risks, safe browsing techniques, and virtual private networks.

Introduction to Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the topic of this module. In lesson one, explore the characteristics, benefits, models, infrastructure, virtualization, and storage for cloud-native applications. In lesson two, you learn about cloud-computing emerging trends and practices. Some of those trends include the hybrid-multi-cloud, containerization, microservices architecture, serverless computing, and the development of applications specifically for the cloud, also known as cloud-native applications.

Final Assessment and (Bonus) IT Support and Operations

In the first lesson of this module, you will test your knowledge and the skills you’ve acquired in this course. This module contains a 20-question graded final examination focused on the content of this course. In lesson two, you may choose to learn about troubleshooting and ticketing systems. This is not a required lesson for this course, but the content will provide you with an overview of troubleshooting and ticketing systems, enhancing your knowledge of IT Fundamental concepts.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a concise overview of fundamental IT concepts, making it suitable for roles that require a broad understanding of the field

Emphasizes essential cybersecurity and cloud computing practices, aligning with current industry trends

Incorporates hands-on labs and interactive activities, fostering practical skills development

Suitable for non-IT practitioners, such as project managers, who need a foundational understanding of the IT landscape

Covers a comprehensive range of IT topics, including hardware, operating systems, software, programming, databases, networking, and more

Can serve as a solid foundation for non-technical professionals seeking to strengthen their knowledge in the IT domain

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 Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone with these activities:

Strengthen Your Fundamentals Through Practice

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Sharpen your knowledge by tackling practice exercises and drills related to the core concepts covered in this course.

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Identify areas for improvement
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Complete the exercises regularly

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Career center

Learners who complete Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst protects an organization's computer networks and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of cybersecurity, including threat identification, risk assessment, and security controls.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect designs, builds, and maintains cloud computing systems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of cloud computing, including cloud infrastructure, virtualization, and storage.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of data management and analysis, including database fundamentals and programming concepts.

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IT Support Specialist

An IT Support Specialist provides technical support to users of computers and other electronic devices. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of computer hardware, operating systems, and networking.

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Network Administrator

A Network Administrator manages and maintains computer networks. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of networking, including network topologies, network protocols, and network security.

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Software Developer

A Software Developer designs, develops, and maintains computer software. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of software development, including programming languages and software engineering.

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Systems Administrator

A Systems Administrator manages and maintains computer systems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of system administration, including operating systems, hardware, and networking.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates and maintains technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of technical writing, including clear and concise communication.

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Web Developer

A Web Developer designs and develops websites. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of web development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, organizes, and manages projects. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of project management, including project planning, scheduling, and budgeting.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst analyzes business needs and develops solutions to improve business processes. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of business analysis, including requirements gathering, process modeling, and solution design.

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Database Administrator

A Database Administrator manages and maintains databases. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of database administration, including database design, data storage, and data security.

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IT Auditor

An IT Auditor evaluates the security and effectiveness of an organization's information systems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the principles of IT auditing, including risk assessment, control testing, and reporting.

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