Introduction to Computer Programming

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Introduction to Computer Programming

This course is part of Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization

Instructors: Dr Edward Anstead

92,713 already enrolled

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

930 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

90%

Most learners liked this course

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

930 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

90%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Graphical Tools

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

11 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
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There are 3 modules in this course

This MOOC provides you with the foundational skill set required to write computer programs. If you are interested in learning how to write interactive, graphical programs from an introductory level in a real programming language, this is the course for you. You will begin by learning the basics of editing and running programs. Then you will learn how to create 2D graphics using shapes and coordinates. Finally, you will learn how to create interactive graphics that you can control with the mouse. You will even solve a set of interactive puzzles using your coding skills in the Sleuth game which has been created especially for this course. The course uses the Javascript language and the p5.js library.

In this topic, you will be introduced to three key concepts: the toolkit used for developing programs, how to draw using simple shapes and 2D coordinates, and the process of writing and experiencing code. These foundational skills will support your learning as you begin creating your own programs.

What's included

9 videos7 readings2 assignments1 programming assignment4 discussion prompts

9 videos Total 52 minutes

Course introduction 2 minutes
About you: Growth mindset 3 minutes
What is programming? What is p5.js? 4 minutes
Running your first program with Brackets 7 minutes
Running your first program with Visual Studio Code 10 minutes
Learn by hacking 4 minutes
2D coordinate system 8 minutes
Code philosophy: what it feels like to code 3 minutes
Introduction to Sleuth 12 minutes

7 readings Total 160 minutes

Course structure and navigation 5 minutes
Some information before you begin… 10 minutes
Code editor - Important information 5 minutes
P5.js resources 10 minutes
Programming exercise 1: Hack the robot 30 minutes
Programming exercise 2: Code it from scratch: De Stijl 90 minutes
Introduction to Sleuth 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 60 minutes

Getting started with P5.js 30 minutes
2D coordinate system 30 minutes

1 programming assignment Total 180 minutes

Sleuth assessment 180 minutes

4 discussion prompts Total 80 minutes

Running your first program 20 minutes
Hacked robot discussion 20 minutes
De Stijl: share your modern masterpiece 20 minutes
Code philosophy 20 minutes

In this week’s topic, you will explore three essential concepts that will expand your creative and technical skills in programming with p5.js. You’ll learn how to use a set of 2D drawing functions to create shapes and visual elements, how colours are represented and styled within your programs, and how to effectively debug your code using the console. These skills will help you bring your sketches to life while developing greater confidence in identifying and solving coding issues.

What's included

9 videos5 readings4 assignments3 discussion prompts

9 videos Total 53 minutes

RGB (red, green and blue) colours 9 minutes
Fill, stroke, noFill 8 minutes
Setup, draw and programme flow 3 minutes
Ellipse, rect, line, triangle and point 6 minutes
How to access and use the console to view errors 3 minutes
Debugging syntax errors 8 minutes
Code philosophy: asking for help 5 minutes
Sleuth case by case: 201 5 minutes
Sleuth case by case: 202 6 minutes

5 readings Total 160 minutes

Programming exercise 3. Hack it: Robot parade 30 minutes
Programming exercise 4. Code it from scratch: Kandinsky 60 minutes
Teach it to yourself 10 minutes
Programing exercise 5: Debug challenge 30 minutes
Programming exercise 5: Debug challenge 30 minutes

4 assignments Total 93 minutes

RGB colours 3 minutes
Setup, draw and programme flow 30 minutes
Ellipse, rect, line, triangle and point 30 minutes
Using the console and debugging syntax errors 30 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 60 minutes

Hack it: Robot parade 20 minutes
Kandinsky: Share your abstract master 20 minutes
Post examples of good and bad questions 20 minutes

This week, you'll be introduced to three fundamental programming concepts. You'll learn how to use variables to store and manage data, explore simple forms of user interaction to make your programs more dynamic, and discover techniques for organising your code to make it clearer and easier to maintain. These skills are key to building more interactive and well-structured programs.

What's included

13 videos4 readings5 assignments3 discussion prompts

13 videos Total 76 minutes

Built-in variables: mouseX, mouseY 5 minutes
Built-in events: mousePressed, keyPressed 4 minutes
Create your own variables: var, initialising and assigning 11 minutes
12 top tips for naming variables 2 minutes
Objects 8 minutes
Working with operators 11 minutes
Mathematical functions: random, min, max 12 minutes
Inspecting variables in the console 4 minutes
Code philosophy: the elegant coder 3 minutes
Sleuth case by case: 301 7 minutes
Sleuth: case by case 302 5 minutes
Sleuth case by case: 303 5 minutes
MOOC summary 1 minute

4 readings Total 140 minutes

Programming exercise 6. Code it from scratch: Drawing app 60 minutes
Programming exercise 7. Hack it: Sunrise 30 minutes
Teach it to yourself 20 minutes
Programming exercise 8: Debug challenge 30 minutes

5 assignments Total 115 minutes

Built-in variables: mouseX, mouseY and events 30 minutes
Create your own variables: var, initialising and assigning 15 minutes
Working with operators 25 minutes
Inspecting variables in the console 15 minutes
Summative quiz 30 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 60 minutes

Code it from scratch: Drawing app 20 minutes
Hack it: Sunrise 20 minutes
Code philosophy: the elegant coder 20 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(230 ratings)

Dr Edward Anstead

University of London

2 Courses 97,803 learners

Offered by

University of London

Goldsmiths, University of London

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Reviewed on Feb 19, 2022

easy to follow through to learn some basic concept of how computer works, especcially with the concept of internet, would be good to introduce some game dev knowledge briefly maybe

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2022

It was exactly as advertised, for absolute beginners like me. It was interesting, and frustrating to code through this class, and thus, I learnt a lot from it.

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

as an out and out beginner, this was an amazing experience. I need a lot more context to get the most out of the course, but notwithstanding my deficits, i learned a lot and more than i expected.

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To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

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