Path to a free self-taught education in Computer Science
a year ago
- #Computer Science Education
- #Open Source
- #Online Learning
- The OSSU curriculum provides a complete education in computer science using free online materials, designed for those seeking a well-rounded grounding in fundamental computing concepts.
- It follows undergraduate CS degree requirements, excluding general education, and includes top courses from institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Princeton.
- Courses must be open for enrollment, run regularly, be high quality, and align with CS 2013 curriculum guidelines. Books supplement when courses don’t meet criteria.
- The curriculum is structured into Intro CS, Core CS (first three years), Advanced CS (final year electives), and a Final Project to showcase knowledge.
- Completion takes about 2 years with 20 hours/week of study. A spreadsheet helps estimate timelines, but the OSSU website or repo should be referenced for up-to-date course info.
- Most materials are free, but some courses may charge for graded assignments. Financial aid is available on platforms like Coursera and edX.
- Students can study alone or in groups, in or out of order, but Core CS courses are recommended to be taken sequentially unless material is already known.
- Advanced CS allows specialization in areas like advanced programming, systems, or theory, with elective courses tailored to student interests.
- Support is available via Discord, GitHub issues, and LinkedIn. Outdated third-party materials should be avoided.
- The Final Project consolidates learning, and graduates can pursue careers, further reading, or explore emerging technologies like Rust or Idris.