How Computers Work from Coursera

Computers are everywhere, they aren't just the desktops and laptops we use for work but the phones in our pockets and even the watches on our wrists are also computers. You probably use a computer every day and in fact you are reading this on a computer!

Just because we use computers all the time, doesn't mean that we understand them, or find them easy to use. Computer Science is the science of computers, it is the field of knowledge that experts use to understand computer systems. Knowing a little computer science will help you understand the computers all around you.

This isn't a how-to course for a particular piece of software, instead you will learn some fundamental concepts that you can apply to any software or computer system. You'll apply these concepts to the kind of computer systems we use every day, including word processing applications, e-commerce, the internet and web sites. You will learn how to apply computer science concepts to solve problems in daily computer use and generally be a better computer user.

Taking this course could be the start of your career in computer science, and the course is an introduction to the Bachelors in Computer Science from University of London, but it is also for you if you just want to learn a little computer science to help you better understand the computers you use in your ordinary life.

What's inside

Syllabus

Abstraction

This week starts your journey into understanding computer science. You will think about how computer science can help you understand the technology you use every day and you will also learn one of the most important concepts in computer science: abstraction.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores concepts critical to understanding software engineering

Taught by an experienced professor with a background in computer science

Introduces fundamental computer science concepts

Suitable for beginners with little to no prior experience in computer science

Covers topics highly relevant to everyday use of computers

Utilizes a mix of media, including videos and discussions

Reviews summary

Introduction to computer science concepts

According to learners, this course provides a positive and clear introduction to fundamental computer science concepts for absolute beginners. Students praise the lectures for making complex ideas like abstraction, networks, and how the web works accessible. While serving as a solid foundation for those new to the field or curious about everyday tech, some reviewers note that the course may be too basic and lacks sufficient depth for learners with prior technical knowledge or those seeking advanced understanding for a career. Feedback on assignments and quizzes is mixed, but overall, it is considered a good starting point.

Mixed feedback on practical application.

"The quizzes were okay, but sometimes felt tricky or slightly misaligned with the video content."

"Wish there were more hands-on coding or practical tasks to apply the concepts."

"Assignments reinforced the concepts reasonably well, but felt somewhat light."

Best fit for absolute beginners/curious.

"Ideal course for someone curious about how computers work in their daily life, not necessarily a tech career."

"This is perfect if you're considering computer science but aren't ready for complex math or coding yet."

"Not recommended if you already have a technical background; you'll likely find it too introductory."

Makes complex ideas like abstraction accessible.

"The concept of abstraction was well-explained; I grasp it now thanks to this course."

"Really liked how state and modularity were broken down into easily understandable parts."

"Learning about networks and the internet in this way was surprisingly straightforward and demystifying."

Excellent starting point for novices.

"Great starting point for absolute beginners, explained fundamental ideas simply and clearly."

"I had no background in tech, and this course finally made sense of computer basics for me."

"Perfect if you're just starting your journey to understand how computers work daily."

Not detailed enough for advanced learners.

"As someone with some prior technical knowledge, I found this course a bit too basic for my needs."

"It's a good overview, but I was hoping for more technical specifics on how components interact."

"If you want to dive deep into *how* things work fundamentally, this is only a first step."

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 How Computers Work with these activities:

Practice basic computer concepts

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Understanding basic computer concepts will help you understand the more advanced concepts introduced in the course.

Browse courses on Computer Basics

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Identify the different parts of a computer system, including hardware and software.
Understand how to use a computer to perform basic tasks, such as creating and editing documents, browsing the internet, and sending emails.

Watch a tutorial on how to use a word processing program

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Watching a tutorial on how to use a word processing program will help you get started with using the program.

Browse courses on Word Processing

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Find a tutorial on how to use a word processing program.
Watch the tutorial and follow along with the instructions.

Practice using a web browser to access websites

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Practicing using a web browser will help you become more comfortable with the internet.

Browse courses on Web Browsing

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Open a web browser and navigate to a website.
Use the search bar to find information on the website.
Click on links to navigate to different pages on the website.

Five other activities

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Discuss computer science concepts with classmates

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Discussing computer science concepts with classmates will help you understand the concepts more deeply.

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Find a group of classmates who are also interested in computer science.
Meet with your classmates regularly to discuss computer science concepts.
Share your knowledge and learn from your classmates.

Create a diagram of a computer network

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Creating a diagram of a computer network will help you visualize how computers communicate with each other.

Browse courses on Computer Networks

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Draw a diagram of a simple computer network, including computers, routers, and switches.
Label the different components of the network and describe their functions.

Volunteer at a computer science organization

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Volunteering at a computer science organization will help you gain practical experience and make connections with other computer science professionals.

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Find computer science organizations that offer volunteer opportunities.
Apply for a volunteer position.
Attend volunteer training.
Volunteer at events or projects.

Create a presentation on a computer science topic

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Creating a presentation on a computer science topic will help you learn more about the topic and improve your presentation skills.

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Choose a computer science topic that you are interested in.
Research the topic and gather information from credible sources.
Create a presentation that is visually appealing and easy to understand.
Practice your presentation so that you can deliver it confidently.
Present your presentation to your classmates or colleagues.

Contribute to an open source computer science project

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Contributing to an open source computer science project will help you gain practical experience and learn from other developers.

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Find an open source computer science project that you are interested in.
Read the project documentation and contribute to the project in a meaningful way.
Submit a pull request to the project.
Work with the project maintainers to get your pull request merged.

Career center

Learners who complete How Computers Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

Software developers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course provides a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as programming languages and software design, which are essential for success as a software developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Software Engineer

Software engineers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course provides a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as programming languages and software design, which are essential for success as a software engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

Web developers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course provides a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are essential for success as a web developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course provides a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as networks and security, which are essential for success as an information security analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Webmaster

Webmasters typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course provides a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as web design and administration, which are essential for success as a webmaster.

See salaries and explore the career path for Webmaster

Information Technology Manager

Information technology managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course provides a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as IT infrastructure and management, which are essential for success as an information technology manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Manager

Network Administrator

Network administrators typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course provides a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as networks and protocols, which are essential for success as a network administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Systems Administrator

Systems administrators typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course provides a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as operating systems and virtualization, which are essential for success as a systems administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer systems analysts typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course provides a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as abstraction, state, and modularity, which are essential for success as a computer systems analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Database Administrator

Database administrators typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course provides a strong foundation in computer science concepts such as data structures and algorithms, which are essential for success as a database administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Computer and Information Research Scientist

Computer and information research scientists typically need a master's degree or doctorate. This course may be useful to you as it provides a foundational understanding of computer science concepts applicable to research and development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer and Information Research Scientist

Data Scientist

Data scientists typically need at least a master's degree in computer science or a related field. This course may be useful to you as it provides a foundational understanding of computer science concepts applicable to data science, such as data analysis and machine learning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Project Manager

Project managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. This course may be useful to you as it provides a foundational understanding of computer science concepts applicable to project management, such as project planning and risk management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Technical Writer

Technical writers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in English or a related field. This course may be useful to you as it provides a foundational understanding of computer science concepts applicable to technical writing, such as software documentation and user manuals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Teacher

Teachers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in education or a related field. This course may be useful to you as it provides a foundational understanding of computer science concepts applicable to teaching, such as curriculum development and instructional methods.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher