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Joe Warren, Scott Rixner, and Luay Nakhleh

While most specializations on Coursera conclude with a project-based course, students in the "Fundamentals of Computing" specialization have completed more than 20+ projects during the first six courses of the specialization. Given that much of the material in these courses is reused from session to session, our goal in this capstone class is to provide a conclusion to the specialization that allows each student an opportunity to demonstrate their individual mastery of the material in the specialization.

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While most specializations on Coursera conclude with a project-based course, students in the "Fundamentals of Computing" specialization have completed more than 20+ projects during the first six courses of the specialization. Given that much of the material in these courses is reused from session to session, our goal in this capstone class is to provide a conclusion to the specialization that allows each student an opportunity to demonstrate their individual mastery of the material in the specialization.

With this objective in mind, the focus in this Capstone class will be an exam whose questions are updated periodically. This approach is designed to help insure that each student is solving the exam problems on his/her own without outside help. For students that have done their own work, we do not anticipate that the exam will be particularly hard. However, those students who have relied too heavily on outside help in previous classes may have a difficult time. We believe that this approach will increase the value of the Certificate for this specialization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Fundamentals of Computing Capstone Exam
Complete a 25 question exam to demonstrate your mastery of the material in the Specialization

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
As a capstone to this specialization, this course provides a comprehensive assessment of the material covered in the preceding six courses
The focus on an updated exam helps ensure that students demonstrate their own understanding of the material, fostering academic integrity
Students who have relied heavily on outside assistance in previous courses may face difficulties in this exam-based assessment

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Reviews summary

Well received capstone course for beginners

Learners say this capstone exam is well received and a great way for beginners to learn computer science. Course instructors are engaging and do a great job explaining challenging concepts. Overall, this course has positive reviews across the board.
Fun games help build motivation.
"The fun little games and programs one can build in the first part of the 6 modules really get you motivated and interested in what you can do."
Suitable for learners with no CS background.
"I started learning computer science and just programming in general through this course."
"This specialization is great for people who don't have much background in computer science."
Instructors explain concepts well.
"The instructors are easy to follow, and if you don't understand something, you can always rewind the video and re-watch it."
"Amazing end to the whole specialization. The instructors are amazing with lots of character and clearly explained a lot of the difficult concepts."
Hardest course on Coursera.
"Oh my. Probably the hardest course on Coursera, but worth the effort."

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 The Fundamentals of Computing Capstone Exam with these activities:
Review basic math concepts, including algebra and trigonometry
Ensure you have a strong foundation in prerequisite math concepts for better comprehension of course materials.
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  • Review online resources or textbooks for algebra and trigonometry concepts.
  • Practice solving problems to reinforce your understanding.
  • Identify areas where you need additional support and seek help from a tutor or online forums.
Review previous computer science courses, especially data structures and algorithms
Refresh your understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms to enhance your comprehension of advanced topics.
Browse courses on Data Structures
Show steps
  • Review course notes, textbooks, or online resources for data structures and algorithms.
  • Practice implementing and analyzing algorithms using different data structures.
  • Identify areas where you need additional support and seek help from a tutor or online forums.
Review Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, 5th edition
Review the foundational concepts of computer architecture to strengthen understanding of the course materials.
Show steps
  • Read the book chapters assigned for the course.
  • Summarize each chapter in your own words.
  • Identify the key concepts and principles in each chapter.
  • Create a diagram or visual representation of the chapter's content.
  • Review the chapter summaries and diagrams regularly to reinforce your understanding.
Five other activities
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Participate in online discussion forums or study groups
Engage with peers to clarify concepts, share insights, and enhance understanding of course materials.
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  • Join or create an online discussion forum or study group.
  • Actively participate in discussions, asking questions and providing answers.
  • Review and comment on others' posts to foster collaboration.
  • Summarize key points and takeaways from the discussions.
  • Seek clarification from peers or the instructor when needed.
Practice coding exercises on LeetCode or HackerRank
Sharpen your programming and problem-solving skills by applying course concepts to practical coding challenges.
Browse courses on Data Structures
Show steps
  • Select a problem from the platform.
  • Analyze the problem statement and identify the required data structures and algorithms.
  • Implement the solution in a programming language of your choice.
  • Test and debug your solution.
  • Review your code for efficiency and clarity.
Contribute to an open-source project related to computing fundamentals
Apply your skills and gain practical experience by contributing to the development of real-world software projects.
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  • Identify an open-source project that aligns with your interests and skills.
  • Review the project documentation and codebase.
  • Identify an area where you can contribute, such as bug fixes or feature enhancements.
  • Submit a pull request with your contributions.
  • Collaborate with other contributors and the project maintainers to refine and integrate your changes.
Develop a software project that implements a specific algorithm
Apply your knowledge of algorithms and data structures by creating a functional software project.
Browse courses on Software Development
Show steps
  • Choose an algorithm and data structure appropriate for the project.
  • Design and document the software architecture.
  • Implement the algorithm and data structure in code.
  • Test and debug the project thoroughly.
  • Create a user manual or documentation for the project.
Attend a workshop on advanced computing topics, such as cloud computing or big data
Expand your knowledge and skills by attending specialized workshops that focus on cutting-edge topics in computing.
Browse courses on Cloud Computing
Show steps
  • Research and identify workshops related to your interests.
  • Register and attend the workshop.
  • Actively participate in the workshop activities and discussions.
  • Take notes and document the key concepts and insights.
  • Follow up with the workshop organizers or speakers to clarify any questions or explore further learning opportunities.

Career center

Learners who complete The Fundamentals of Computing Capstone Exam will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Computer Scientist
As a Computer Scientist, you will be responsible for conducting research in computer science. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about algorithms, data structures, and software design principles. This knowledge will help you to develop new technologies and solve complex problems.
Forensic Computer Analyst
As a Forensic Computer Analyst, you will be responsible for investigating computer crimes. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about computer forensics, evidence collection, and analysis. This knowledge will help you to investigate computer crimes and gather evidence to support criminal prosecutions.
Software Quality Assurance Analyst
As a Software Quality Assurance Analyst, you will be responsible for testing software applications to ensure that they are free of defects. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about software testing, test automation, and quality assurance. This knowledge will help you to ensure that software applications are reliable and meet customer requirements.
Software Engineer
As a Software Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about data structures, algorithms, and software design principles. This knowledge will help you to write efficient and reliable software applications.
Systems Administrator
As a Systems Administrator, you will be responsible for managing and maintaining computer systems. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about operating systems, virtualization, and cloud computing. This knowledge will help you to ensure that systems are reliable and efficient.
Network Administrator
As a Network Administrator, you will be responsible for managing and maintaining computer networks. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about networking protocols, network security, and network management tools. This knowledge will help you to ensure that networks are reliable and secure.
Web Developer
As a Web Developer, you will be responsible for designing and developing websites. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and web development frameworks. This knowledge will help you to create websites that are both visually appealing and functional.
Security Analyst
As a Security Analyst, you will be responsible for protecting computer systems and networks from unauthorized access. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about cryptography, network security, and security management. This knowledge will help you to identify and mitigate security risks.
Data Analyst
As a Data Analyst, you will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to support decision-making. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about data analysis, data mining, and data visualization. This knowledge will help you to make informed decisions based on data.
Database Administrator
As a Database Administrator, you will be responsible for managing and maintaining databases. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about data structures, algorithms, and database management systems. This knowledge will help you to ensure that databases are reliable and efficient.
Data Scientist
As a Data Scientist, you will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about data structures, algorithms, and statistical analysis techniques. This knowledge will help you to make informed decisions based on data.
Business Analyst
As a Business Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about business analysis, process modeling, and data analysis. This knowledge will help you to identify and solve business problems.
Project Manager
As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about project management, risk management, and communication skills. This knowledge will help you to manage projects effectively and deliver results on time and within budget.
Technical Writer
As a Technical Writer, you will be responsible for writing technical documentation. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about technical writing, documentation standards, and software development tools. This knowledge will help you to write clear and concise technical documentation.
Information Technology Specialist
As an Information Technology Specialist, you will be responsible for providing technical support to users. This course can help you build a foundation in computer science fundamentals, which are essential for success in this role. You will learn about hardware, software, and networking. This knowledge will help you to troubleshoot problems and provide effective support.

Reading list

We've selected 15 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 The Fundamentals of Computing Capstone Exam.
Provides a comprehensive overview of computer systems, covering topics such as computer architecture, operating systems, and computer networks. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the fundamentals of computing.
This textbook classic in the field of computer architecture. It provides a detailed and comprehensive overview of the design and implementation of computer systems, from the lowest level of hardware to the highest level of software.
This textbook widely used introduction to operating systems. It covers the fundamental concepts of operating systems, including process management, memory management, file systems, and I/O.
This textbook comprehensive introduction to concrete mathematics. It covers the fundamental concepts of concrete mathematics, including combinatorics, graph theory, and number theory.
Provides a thorough introduction to algorithms and data structures. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the design and analysis of algorithms.
This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to computer systems from the ground up. It covers topics ranging from the fundamental concepts of computer architecture to the design and implementation of operating systems and applications.
This textbook comprehensive introduction to deep learning. It covers the fundamental concepts of deep learning, including neural networks, convolutional neural networks, and recurrent neural networks.
Provides a comprehensive overview of data structures and algorithms in Java. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the implementation of data structures and algorithms in a real-world programming language.
This textbook comprehensive introduction to calculus. It covers the fundamental concepts of calculus, including limits, derivatives, and integrals.
This textbook comprehensive introduction to linear algebra. It covers the fundamental concepts of linear algebra, including matrices, vectors, and linear transformations.
This textbook comprehensive introduction to probability and statistics. It covers the fundamental concepts of probability and statistics, including probability distributions, statistical inference, and hypothesis testing.
This textbook comprehensive introduction to mathematical methods for physics and engineering. It covers the fundamental concepts of mathematical methods for physics and engineering, including vector calculus, partial differential equations, and Fourier analysis.

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