Hardware courses can help you learn circuit design, microcontroller programming, computer architecture, and embedded systems. You can build skills in troubleshooting hardware issues, optimizing performance, and integrating various components. Many courses introduce tools like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and CAD software, that support creating prototypes and testing designs.

Skills you'll gain: Peripheral Devices, Computer Hardware, System Configuration, Virtualization and Virtual Machines, Computer Systems, Virtual Machines, Operating Systems, USB, Hardware Troubleshooting, Computing Platforms, Linux, Software Installation, Technical Support, Mac OS, Computer Architecture, File Systems, Network Infrastructure, Data Storage, User Accounts, Disaster Recovery
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of California, Irvine
Skills you'll gain: Network Security, Computer Hardware, Hardware Architecture, Computer Systems, TCP/IP, Information Technology, General Networking, Computer Literacy, Network Protocols, Operating Systems, System Configuration, Software Installation, Computer Networking, File Systems
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Maryland, College Park
Skills you'll gain: Hardware Design, Security Engineering, Computer Hardware, Hardware Architecture, Threat Modeling, Threat Detection, Cybersecurity, Vulnerability Assessments, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Exploit development, Cryptography, Systems Design, Encryption, Exploitation techniques, Technical Design, Emerging Technologies
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Princeton University
Skills you'll gain: Microarchitecture, Computer Architecture, Hardware Architecture, Computer Systems, Computer Engineering, Systems Architecture, Operating Systems, Performance Tuning, Scalability
Advanced · Course · 3 - 6 Months

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Debugging, Data Structures, System Programming, Microarchitecture, C (Programming Language), Hardware Architecture, Computer Architecture, Integrated Development Environments, Software Design, Maintainability, System Configuration, Development Environment, Peripheral Devices
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware Design, Technical Design, Electronics Engineering, Electronic Hardware, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Test Case, Verification And Validation, Functional Design, Embedded Systems, Computer Engineering, Simulation and Simulation Software, Functional Testing
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: IT Security Architecture, Computer Networking, Operating System Administration, Package and Software Management, Network Troubleshooting, Version Control, IT Automation, Systems Administration, IT Infrastructure, TCP/IP, Git (Version Control System), Chef (Configuration Management Tool), Network Security, Ruby (Programming Language), File Systems, Microsoft Windows, Computer Hardware, Technical Support, Interviewing Skills, Professional Development
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Business Software, Computer Hardware, Generative AI, Operating Systems, Data Storage Technologies, Computer Systems, Data Maintenance, Enterprise Security, System Software, Information Technology, Computer Architecture, Data Storage, System Configuration, Technical Support and Services, Microsoft Windows, Servers, Cybersecurity
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Real-Time Operating Systems, Embedded Systems, Embedded Software, Hardware Architecture, Electronic Systems, Performance Tuning, Systems Architecture, Software Architecture, Verification And Validation, System Programming, Debugging, Software Design, System Design and Implementation, Linux, Software Technical Review, Systems Engineering, Operating Systems, Software Systems, System Software, Ubuntu
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Hardware Design, Electronic Hardware, Schematic Diagrams, Electronics, Computer-Aided Design, Mechanical Design, Communication Systems, Remote Access Systems, 3D Modeling, Linux, Digital Communications, Serial Peripheral Interface, Electronic Components, Simulation and Simulation Software, Electrical Engineering, Web Applications, Internet Of Things, Systems Of Measurement, Data Processing, Data Science
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Process Control, Control Systems, Machine Controls, Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments, Embedded Systems, Automation Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Embedded Software, Electronic Systems, Hardware Design, Electronics Engineering, Basic Electrical Systems, Electronic Hardware, Electronics, Electrical Systems, Electronic Components, Power Electronics, Three-Phase, Torque (Physics), Electrical Equipment
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Artificial Neural Networks, Image Analysis, Event-Driven Programming, Scalability, Deep Learning, Software Development, C++ (Programming Language), Machine Learning Methods, Performance Tuning, C and C++, Linear Algebra, Distributed Computing, Computer Graphics, System Programming, Hardware Architecture, Computer Vision, Programming Principles, OS Process Management, Data Structures, Machine Learning
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
When it comes to Computing, hardware refers to the physical parts of a device that users interact with such as a keyboard, hard drive, or monitor. This is in contrast to software, which are the operating systems, applications, and other virtual computing programs that help users carry out tasks.
Hardware can be created and manufactured by big tech names, such as Microsoft or Apple, or by hobbyists and smaller companies using Arduino, embedded-systems software, and other tools. Learning about hardware is important to making computer-based technologies functional for our everyday lives, as well as critical for maintaining and repairing them.‎
Given the many applications of hardware studies—from security, to product design, to the IoT—jobs in hardware are varied depending on whatever specialty learners want to explore.
Opportunities in Computer Hardware Engineering in particular can expect their field to grow a steady five percent through 2026—as fast as average. However, Engineers going the IoT route can expect to enter a market estimated to reach a value of USD 1256.1 billion by 2025. Related roles that can enjoy this lucrative market include Embedded Systems Engineer, Raspberry Pi Developer, Arduino Developer, and others.‎
Hardware courses offered through Coursera equip learners with knowledge in hardware description languages such as VHDL and Verilog; design methods; embedded architectures; software that can manipulate hardware; 3D printing hardware; IoT applications; hardware security; and more.
Lessons on hardware are taught by instructors from major tech names and universities, including University of Colorado, University of Illinois, EIT Digital, University of Maryland, and other organizations. Learners can enjoy exploring hardware with instructors specializing in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, and other disciplines. Course content on hardware is delivered via video lectures, hands-on projects, readings, quizzes, and other types of assignments.‎
The skills and experience you might need to already have before starting to learn hardware are understanding the basics of how software and hardware intersect in devices, computers, operating systems, embedded systems, and assorted data structures. You might want to have some engineering aspects in your background and skills or work experience in hardware components and operating systems. You might be familiar with how embedded devices are impacting manufacturing in the Internet of Things, and you might want to also know about wireless sensor networks.‎
The kind of people best suited for roles in hardware are mainly people who are interested in computers, are technologically oriented, or have an engineering or computer science background, gained either in online courses, internships, or on-the-job training. Understanding hardware is for those who want to know about physical components, like computers, monitors, peripherals, 3D printing equipment, and embedded systems. The people best suited for roles in hardware may also likely have knowledge of programming languages like Java, Python, C, C+, and Verilog, key languages for computer engineers.‎
Common career paths for someone in hardware are generally working for a technology company, manufacturing firms, or even a large institution like a college university or online distribution service. You may start either in software or hardware environments and then extend your background of engineering skills or computer science skills to move into areas of installation and maintenance of computers, servers, circuit boards, routers, printers, and similar areas.‎
Some of the topics related to hardware that you can study include machine learning, cloud networks, systems architecture, network security, computer maintenance, and data storage. These topics may bring a fuller understanding to you when trying to tackle all the information available about hardware for computers and devices. When learning about hardware, you could spend equal amounts of time studying these and other topics related to the computer and system machinery industries.‎
Online Hardware courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Hardware skills. Choose from a wide range of Hardware courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎
When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Hardware, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎