• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Degrees
Log In
Join for Free
  • Browse
  • Theoretical Computer Science

Theoretical Computer Science Courses

Theoretical computer science courses can help you learn algorithms, computational complexity, automata theory, and formal languages. You can build skills in problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and algorithm analysis, that support tackling complex computational tasks. Many courses introduce tools like Python for algorithm implementation, LaTeX for typesetting mathematical documents, and software for simulating automata, allowing you to apply these concepts in practical scenarios.


Popular Theoretical Computer Science Courses and Certifications


  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    VLSI CAD Part I: Logic

    Skills you'll gain: Computational Logic, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Theoretical Computer Science, Data Structures, Verification And Validation, Computer Architecture, Systems Design, Algorithms, Computer Engineering, Mathematical Software, Design Software, Computer Programming Tools, Debugging, Digital Design, Software Development Tools

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    557 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Michigan

    Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)

    Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Computational Thinking, Software Installation, Development Environment

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    233K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Colorado System

    Applied Cryptography

    Skills you'll gain: Data Encryption Standard, Public Key Infrastructure, Cryptography, Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS), Key Management, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Encryption, Data Integrity, Cybersecurity, Computer Security, Authentications, Data Security, Theoretical Computer Science, Algorithms, Digital Communications, Information Architecture

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    900 reviews

    Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Washington

    Programming Languages, Part C

    Skills you'll gain: Ruby (Programming Language), Other Programming Languages, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Functional Design, Computational Thinking, Software Design Patterns, Theoretical Computer Science, Debugging

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
    ·
    461 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    C

    Coursera

    Algorithmic Solutions: Design, Problem Solving, Reporting

    Skills you'll gain: Algorithms, Technical Communication, Pseudocode, Computational Thinking, Solution Design, Programming Principles, Software Design, Theoretical Computer Science, Data Structures, Mathematical Modeling, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science

    4.4
    Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
    ·
    24 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    S

    Stanford University

    Graph Search, Shortest Paths, and Data Structures

    Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Social Network Analysis, Network Analysis, Theoretical Computer Science, Network Routing, Computational Logic

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    2K reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    C

    Clemson University

    Design and Analysis of Algorithms

    Skills you'll gain: Graph Theory, Data Structures, Algorithms, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Computer Programming, Design Strategies, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Probability

    Build toward a degree

    4.3
    Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
    ·
    33 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    T

    Tsinghua University

    Data Structures and Algorithms (I)

    Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Algorithms, Programming Principles, Theoretical Computer Science, Computer Programming, Computer Science

    3.1
    Rating, 3.1 out of 5 stars
    ·
    33 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    P

    Peking University

    离散数学概论 Discrete Mathematics Generality

    Skills you'll gain: Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Logic, Graph Theory, Geospatial Information and Technology, Spatial Data Analysis, Logical Reasoning, Computational Thinking, Algebra, Computer Science, Mathematics and Mathematical Modeling, Algorithms

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    281 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    P

    Packt

    Data Structures and Algorithms: The Complete Masterclass

    Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Algorithms, Graph Theory, Programming Principles, Theoretical Computer Science, Computer Science, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Pandas (Python Package), Machine Learning Algorithms, Computational Thinking, C++ (Programming Language), Data Architecture, Random Forest Algorithm, Performance Tuning, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Network Analysis, Program Development, Problem Solving, Debugging

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    35 reviews

    Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    C

    Codio

    Python Basics: Selection and Iteration

    Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, Scripting, Computational Logic, Scripting Languages, Computer Science

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    267 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • E

    EIT Digital

    Geometric Algorithms

    Skills you'll gain: Geometry, Algorithms, Computer Graphics, Data Structures, Graph Theory, Spatial Data Analysis, Computational Thinking, Geographic Information Systems, Pseudocode, Theoretical Computer Science, Spatial Analysis

    4.4
    Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
    ·
    24 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

1…515253…834

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular theoretical computer science courses

  • VLSI CAD Part I: Logic: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python): University of Michigan
  • Applied Cryptography: University of Colorado System
  • Programming Languages, Part C: University of Washington
  • Algorithmic Solutions: Design, Problem Solving, Reporting: Coursera
  • Graph Search, Shortest Paths, and Data Structures: Stanford University
  • Design and Analysis of Algorithms: Clemson University
  • Data Structures and Algorithms (I): Tsinghua University
  • 离散数学概论 Discrete Mathematics Generality: Peking University
  • Data Structures and Algorithms: The Complete Masterclass: Packt

Other topics to explore

Arts and Humanities
338 courses
Business
1095 courses
Computer Science
668 courses
Data Science
425 courses
Information Technology
145 courses
Health
471 courses
Math and Logic
70 courses
Personal Development
137 courses
Physical Science and Engineering
413 courses
Social Sciences
401 courses
Language Learning
150 courses

Coursera Footer

Skills

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Marketing
  • English Speaking
  • Generative AI (GenAI)
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Power BI
  • Project Management
  • Python

Certificates & Programs

  • Google Cybersecurity Certificate
  • Google Data Analytics Certificate
  • Google IT Support Certificate
  • Google Project Management Certificate
  • Google UX Design Certificate
  • IBM Data Analyst Certificate
  • IBM Data Science Certificate
  • Machine Learning Certificate
  • Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Certificate
  • UI / UX Design Certificate

Industries & Careers

  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Education & Teaching
  • Engineering
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Human Resources (HR)
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Marketing

Career Resources

  • Career Aptitude Test
  • Examples of Strengths and Weaknesses for Job Interviews
  • High-Income Skills to Learn
  • How Does Cryptocurrency Work?
  • How to Highlight Duplicates in Google Sheets
  • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
  • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
  • Preparing for the PMP Certification
  • Signs You Will Get the Job After an Interview
  • What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Coursera

  • About
  • What We Offer
  • Leadership
  • Careers
  • Catalog
  • Coursera Plus
  • Professional Certificates
  • MasterTrack® Certificates
  • Degrees
  • For Enterprise
  • For Government
  • For Campus
  • Become a Partner
  • Social Impact
  • Free Courses
  • Share your Coursera learning story

Community

  • Learners
  • Partners
  • Beta Testers
  • Blog
  • The Coursera Podcast
  • Tech Blog

More

  • Press
  • Investors
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Accessibility
  • Contact
  • Articles
  • Directory
  • Affiliates
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Do Not Sell/Share
Learn Anywhere
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Logo of Certified B Corporation
© 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Coursera Facebook
  • Coursera Linkedin
  • Coursera Twitter
  • Coursera YouTube
  • Coursera Instagram
  • Coursera TikTok