Computer science is the study of computer hardware and software. As a discipline, it encompasses subject matter from artificial intelligence and cryptography to computer engineering and software development and touches a variety of industries, including game development, financial services, and government.
With so many options and opportunities available, it can be tricky to know where to start. On Coursera, you'll find expert resources to support your goals, whether you're just starting out or are ready to take the next step in your career. Explore computer science topics, including:
Computers are an essential part of our internet-enabled lives today, but what does it mean to study computer science? Computer science, often referred to as CS, is a broad field encompassing the study of computer systems, computational thinking and theory, and the design of software programs that harness the power of this hardware to process data.
Those studying computer science may end up taking a similarly broad range of career pathways. Many CS majors focus on building skills in software programming, coding, and web development, all of which are highly sought after by a wide variety of companies. However, others may focus on more specialized topics such as algorithmic problem solving, machine learning and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and even robotics!
Studying computer science means learning some complex topics like algorithms and coding. With the right motivation, patience, and an interest in computers, you can find success in this challenging field.
If you’re organized, pay attention to detail, and enjoy problem solving, computer science could be a good fit. Enhance your understanding of technology and learn skills to empower you to work in the computer careers of the future.
The time, effort, and monetary investment of earning a degree potentially opens up well-paying job opportunities in many in-demand fields. Check the job requirements of some positions you’d like to apply to in the future to see if a computer science degree aligns with your career goals.
![[Featured Image]: AI Engineer, working at a desktop with multiple screens, creating computer systems.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6dqHgfTZkX0a9jzNVB817S/b5b2e37a698df6757d702f81b376f425/Coursera_Wesley_Megan_Miller_0242.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A person looks at their tablet with computers surrounding them.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/5bk1I5M31RXskKazz1PwAs/2dd89a1c2aea43b8268aa012e4f07264/GettyImages-580501673.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A computer programmer is working on a laptop and holding a VR set.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6uQIzviZm3MM2zAx9FsEOw/839faf3d3fb688364cb7af011215c11c/GettyImages-1175888345__3_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A fintech engineer works on their code on a laptop to ensure the organization's digital banking platform runs smoothly.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6rwnGD76NmCaUV767Vg9wh/2d60bda2bed3f69e816325d2509bb82a/GettyImages-1170488210.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A woman wearing a headset is on her laptop and answers phones at an IT call center.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1vKY1CjuDtn8KkJQvjXdQD/dd2babaed89c6007e3d2e03ae8fbbd68/GettyImages-1366016964.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] Two front-end developers are working together while looking at a desktop.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/7kBRPlWslHXWb0YxEYcAaL/09908091b285b267b5e7b1accf90a6c8/GettyImages-1487035057.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A front-end developer is in an office working on their laptop with earbuds on.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/Mpo9KCpV01kcXsMz66VGG/c6e5a8a9ff12debacddfbcdee1368d2a/GettyImages-1442021051.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Two students earning a computer science degree are sitting together and studying while looking at their computers.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/7AHFIY0gQpIvuT2t16fvub/0cf4e955d683567e3560289de084a26b/iStock-543443692.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A Coursera learner is sitting on an office desk.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6uS5CfNkkPV636o20PYTGc/a284a9b0f9d3265f4b5dbea3413367a5/GettyImages-1437209114.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A computer scientist is working on their computer.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2Q1X0d3l5obcLhCYPZzZ4B/29683f74cd1cfaaf1763d6b8cdb423da/gSpFa7n3.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A software engineer is learning more about Github.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/5DLjUqqBqgEUTW7Y21r4e9/d6caecd426d8e5b4b9debfd67b2b9060/txWNttSZ.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A computer scientist is working at an office with a laptop on their desk.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/NwmKdK4QBPNBs27trKCds/8d8958dfbd37b632d2cabdb18528fa78/GettyImages-1132122259.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A person in a yellow t-shirt sits in front of a laptop and monitor working at a computer science job.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/3TcNhsC3axzxrVW33RK6XY/2fcb3b30f24b9451d8f42e02229eac1e/GettyImages-1171809283__2_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A young person with red hair and glasses sits in front of two desktop computer screens, smiling.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/7gTUu0dVKX7kA46wjIdHuc/2e462f6d02b64c991d32d1b0cf84766c/GettyImages-1322050853.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A person with short red hair and a beard, sitting in front of a desktop computer with code, smiles.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4hE5M1K6YrwwXih9kn4YyO/66a625e7a1543241474d08fdc3111602/GettyImages-1127443180.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
