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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: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of California, Davis

    Computational Social Science

    Skills you'll gain: Social Network Analysis, Network Analysis, Data Wrangling, Natural Language Processing, Web Scraping, Social Sciences, Data Ethics, Databases, Artificial Intelligence, Research, Simulations, Big Data, Systems Thinking, Trend Analysis, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Research Methodologies, Machine Learning, Data Collection, Agentic systems

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.2K reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • U

    University of Colorado Boulder

    Introduction to Modeling for Formal Verification

    Skills you'll gain: Verification And Validation, Systems Design, Theoretical Computer Science, Systems Analysis, Computer Architecture, Software Architecture, Simulations, Graph Theory, Hardware Architecture, Logical Reasoning

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free
    Free
    P

    Princeton University

    Algorithms, Part II

    Skills you'll gain: Graph Theory, Data Structures, Algorithms, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Computer Programming, Network Routing, Cryptography, Java Programming, Linear Algebra

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
    ·
    2K reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Pennsylvania

    Computational Thinking for Problem Solving

    Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Algorithms, Pseudocode, Problem Solving, Analytical Skills, Computer Science, Python Programming, Computer Systems, Data Structures, Computer Hardware, Computer Programming, Debugging

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.4K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Colorado System

    Cryptography and Information Theory

    Skills you'll gain: Cryptography, Encryption, Cybersecurity, Computer Security, Theoretical Computer Science, Information Architecture

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    542 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • U

    University of Colorado Boulder

    Fundamentals of Natural Language Processing

    Skills you'll gain: Natural Language Processing, Text Mining, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Statistical Modeling, Data Processing, Probability & Statistics, Unstructured Data, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Supervised Learning, Algorithms, Regression Analysis

    Build toward a degree

    3.6
    Rating, 3.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    10 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of California San Diego

    Introduction to Graph Theory

    Skills you'll gain: Graph Theory, Combinatorics, Network Analysis, Data Structures, Network Routing, Algorithms, Theoretical Computer Science, Program Development

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.1K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of California, Davis

    Computer Simulations

    Skills you'll gain: Simulations, Social Sciences, Systems Thinking, Agentic systems, Social Network Analysis, Computational Thinking, Sociology, Economics, Scientific Methods, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Computer Programming

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    84 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Toronto

    Learn to Program: The Fundamentals

    Skills you'll gain: Programming Principles, Debugging, Software Documentation, Python Programming, Computer Programming, Program Development, Integrated Development Environments, Data Structures, File Management

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    6.7K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    D

    Duke University

    Cloud Computing Foundations

    Skills you'll gain: Technical Communication, Cloud Infrastructure, CI/CD, Cloud Computing, Agile Software Development, DevOps, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Continuous Delivery, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Serverless Computing, Software Development, Amazon Web Services, Software Development Methodologies, Platform As A Service (PaaS), GitHub

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    277 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    T

    The Chinese University of Hong Kong

    Information Theory

    Skills you'll gain: Communication Systems, Digital Communications, Theoretical Computer Science, Telecommunications, Informatics, Probability, Probability Distribution, Algorithms, General Mathematics

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    164 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Colorado System

    Abstraction, Problem Decomposition, and Functions

    Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, C (Programming Language), Data Structures, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Data Store, Problem Management, Program Development, Debugging

    4.6
    Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
    ·
    37 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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

  • Computational Social Science: University of California, Davis
  • Introduction to Modeling for Formal Verification: University of Colorado Boulder
  • Algorithms, Part II: Princeton University
  • Computational Thinking for Problem Solving: University of Pennsylvania
  • Cryptography and Information Theory: University of Colorado System
  • Fundamentals of Natural Language Processing: University of Colorado Boulder
  • Introduction to Graph Theory: University of California San Diego
  • Computer Simulations: University of California, Davis
  • Learn to Program: The Fundamentals: University of Toronto
  • Cloud Computing Foundations: Duke University

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