The impact of technology and networks on our lives, culture, and society continues to increase. The very fact that you can take this course from anywhere in the world requires a technological infrastructure that was designed, engineered, and built over the past sixty years. To function in an information-centric world, we need to understand the workings of network technology. This course will open up the Internet and show you how it was created, who created it and how it works. Along the way we will meet many of the innovators who developed the Internet and Web technologies that we use today.
Internet History, Technology, and Security
University of MichiganAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
43%
started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
12%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 15 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Italian, Russian
Skills you will gain
Internet ArchitectureInternetInternet SecurityInternet Protocol (IP) Suite
Learner Career Outcomes
43%
started a new career after completing these courses
33%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
12%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 15 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Italian, Russian
Offered by
University of Michigan
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
29 minutes to complete
Getting Started
Welcome to the class. We will first look at the history of the Internet and Web, followed by a look at how the network works and then examine how we secure information on the Internet and Web.
29 minutes to complete
3 videos (Total 9 min), 2 readings
3 videos
Bonus: Office Hours - Manila, Philippines1m
Bonus: Offices Hours in Portland, OR5m
2 readings
Course Materials10m
Help us learn more about you!10m
2 hours to complete
History: Dawn of Electronic Computing
World War II emphasized the strategic importance of computation, communication, and information. There was unprecedented investment in the development of new technologies during the war. We start with Alan Turing and others at Bletchley Park.
2 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 89 min)
7 videos
Alan Turing and Bletchley Park24m
Bonus: Class Reunion at Bletchley Park9m
Post-War Computing and Communication8m
Using the Michigan Terminal System (through 6:00)35m
Wrap up and Reflection1m
Bonus: Office Hours - Barcelona, Spain1m
1 practice exercise
History: Dawn of Electronic Computing26m
2 hours to complete
History: The First Internet - NSFNet
In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a great deal of research done to build the first wide-area packet switched networks for the US Department of Defense. In the 1980s, the first “Internet” was formed to allow academic researchers to access supercomputer resources.
2 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 94 min)
8 videos
Larry Smarr - NCSA12m
History Through NSFNet3m
Doug Van Houweling - NSFNet13m
Leonard Klienrock - The First Two Packets on the Internet13m
Katie Hafner - Where Wizards Stay Up Late12m
Bonus: Nii Quaynor - Bringing the Web to Africa12m
Bonus: Office Hours - Washington DC, USA31s
1 practice exercise
History: The First Internet - NSFNet22m
1 hour to complete
History: The Web Makes it Easy to Use
The World-Wide-Web was invented in 1990 but it was not an overnight success. But by 1994 - “the year of the web” - the web was being widely used and Internet usage was growing by leaps and bounds.
1 hour to complete
8 videos (Total 42 min)
8 videos
Robert Cailliau - Co-Inventor of the Web9m
The Web Becomes Content3m
Paul Kunz - The First Web Server in America5m
Building Mosaic6m
Joseph Hardin - NCSA Mosaic9m
Reflecting on Mosaic18s
Bonus: Office Hours - Mexico City, Mexico54s
1 practice exercise
History: The Web Makes it Easy to Use34m
1 hour to complete
History: Commercialization and Growth
The late 1990’s saw the web and Internet used increasingly to revolutionize how business was done. Companies like Amazon were founded and grew very rapidly.
1 hour to complete
8 videos (Total 57 min)
8 videos
Mitchell Baker: The Mozilla Foundation19m
Brendan Eich - Inventor of JavaScript11m
Assume the Web8m
Jeff Bezos - Founder of Amazon5m
The Modern Internet5m
Bonus: Tim Berners-Lee1m
Bonus: Office Hours - Melbourne, Australia1m
1 practice exercise
History: Commercialization and Growth18m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM INTERNET HISTORY, TECHNOLOGY, AND SECURITY
by SBJan 6, 2016
This is an extremely important course. I would love to see it taught in high schools or in the first year of university. We should all understand how the Internet was developed and how it functions.
by ACNov 11, 2017
Dr. Chuck is the best teacher who explains the Internet History and the main concepts on technologý and security so single and kind, I enjoyed learning so much with this course, thanks to everyone!
by JJOct 23, 2015
A excellent overview of Internet History, the underlying technology and a quick tour of SSL/TLS. The interviews with some key folks of internet folklore was an added advantage. Highly recommended.
by SIApr 25, 2019
Great Instructor! I have learnt alot from this course as well as the instructor. I am thankful to coursera for providing me this opportunity to learn from an instructor like Dr. Charles Severance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
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Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.
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