CS 150 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Computer Concepts and Applications
Covers computer hardware, operating systems, files, networks, the internet, online etiquette, office software, databases and programming basics.
Courses › Computer Science
22 courses66 credits5 with ACE and NCCRS
Online Computer Science courses for college credit
Self-paced courses in programming, web, data, networks, security and AI. Watch a trailer, open a course, start any day.
Foundations and ethics3 courses
CS 195 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Ethics in Technology
Introduces cybersecurity, privacy, data protection, cyber law and cybercrime, and ethics in technology use.
CS 235 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Introduction to Computing
Covers application and system software, hardware, information systems, networks, databases, the web and programming logic.
Programming5 courses
CS 210 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Introduction to Java
A beginner Java course: data types, control flow, arrays, I/O, GUIs, methods, object-oriented programming and data structures.
CS 230 Β· 3 credits Β· ACE + NCCRS
Programming in Python
Teaches Python programming from basics through functions, data structures, object-oriented programming, recursion, files and data analysis.
CS 240 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Programming in C
Teaches C programming: data types, decisions, loops, functions, arrays, strings, pointers, files, structures and linked data structures.
CS 242 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Programming in C++
Teaches C++ programming: control flow, arrays and vectors, strings, functions, classes, files, memory and inheritance.
CS 251 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Data Structure and Algorithms
Covers data structures and algorithms in Java: arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, heaps, hashing, sorting and graphs.
Web development2 courses
CS 180 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Introduction to HTML and CSS
Teaches building web pages with HTML and styling them with CSS, including forms, tables, media and responsive design.
CS 190 Β· 3 credits Β· ACE + NCCRS
Introduction to Javascript
Teaches JavaScript programming for the web: syntax, functions, objects, data structures, the DOM, forms and debugging.
Data and databases2 courses
CS 281 Β· 3 credits Β· ACE + NCCRS
Database Fundamentals
Covers database design and use: DBMS concepts, the relational model, SQL, ER modelling, normalization, administration and distributed databases.
CS 381 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Database Programming
Teaches working with relational databases in SQL: schema design, normalization, queries, joins, subqueries, views, indexes and security.
Upper divisionNetworking and security3 courses
CS 196 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Introduction to Networking
Covers how computer networks work: the OSI model, TCP/IP, routing, network hardware, wireless, WANs and network security.
CS 252 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Network and Systems Security
Covers securing networks and systems: risk, security policy, cryptography, firewalls, wireless security, access control, VPNs and IDS/IPS.
CS 270 Β· 3 credits Β· ACE + NCCRS
Cybersecurity
Covers cybersecurity practice: threats, OS, web and cloud security, cryptography, IAM, incident response, GRC and penetration testing.
Systems and IT4 courses
CS 140 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Current Trends in Computer Science and IT
Surveys current IT topics: IT leadership, databases, data science and visualization, AI, IoT and digital currency.
CS 200 Β· 3 credits Β· ACE + NCCRS
Fundamentals of Information Technology
Introduces information systems in business: hardware, software, databases, networking, security, IT strategy and ethics.
CS 201 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Introduction to Linux
Covers using and administering Linux: installation, desktop, command line, processes, filesystems, users, shell scripting and security.
CS 354 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Introduction to Operating Systems
Covers how operating systems manage processes, concurrency, memory, I/O, files, networking, security and virtual machines.
Upper divisionAI and software engineering3 courses
CS 301 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Software Engineering
Covers how software is engineered: process models, agile, requirements, design, UI design, verification, project management and distributed systems.
CS 373 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Covers AI foundations: intelligent agents, search, neural networks, logic and reasoning, machine learning, NLP, robotics and AI ethics.
Upper division
CS 390 Β· 3 credits Β· NCCRS
System Analysis and Design
Covers analysing and designing business information systems: requirements, modelling and UML, agile, architecture, implementation, risk and project management.
Upper divisionAll 22 computer science courses in one table
| Course | Topic | Credits | Chapters | Hours | ACE | NCCRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS 140 Current Trends in Computer Science and IT | Systems and IT | 3 | 12 | 46 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 150 Computer Concepts and Applications | Foundations and ethics | 3 | 20 | 73 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 180 Introduction to HTML and CSS | Web development | 3 | 12 | 35 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 190 Introduction to Javascript | Web development | 3 | 11 | 68 | UPIS-0013 | 3 semester hours |
| CS 195 Ethics in Technology | Foundations and ethics | 3 | 15 | 66 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 196 Introduction to Networking | Networking and security | 3 | 15 | 57 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 200 Fundamentals of Information Technology | Systems and IT | 3 | 13 | 56 | UPIS-0012 | 3 semester hours |
| CS 201 Introduction to Linux | Systems and IT | 3 | 18 | 65 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 210 Introduction to Java | Programming | 3 | 12 | 46 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 230 Programming in Python | Programming | 3 | 17 | 73 | UPIS-0011 | 3 semester hours |
| CS 235 Introduction to Computing | Foundations and ethics | 3 | 11 | 44 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 240 Programming in C | Programming | 3 | 11 | 47.5 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 242 Programming in C++ | Programming | 3 | 11 | 51.5 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 251 Data Structure and Algorithms | Programming | 3 | 17 | 56 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 252 Network and Systems Security | Networking and security | 3 | 9 | 57.5 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 270 Cybersecurity | Networking and security | 3 | 12 | 67 | UPIS-0024 | 3 semester hours |
| CS 281 Database Fundamentals | Data and databases | 3 | 21 | 77 | UPIS-0010 | 3 semester hours |
| CS 301 Software Engineering | AI and software engineering | 3 | 15 | 59 | – | 3 semester hours |
| CS 354 Introduction to Operating Systems | Systems and IT | 3 | 10 | 44 | – | 3 semester hours, upper division |
| CS 373 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | AI and software engineering | 3 | 9 | 44 | – | 3 semester hours, upper division |
| CS 381 Database Programming | Data and databases | 3 | 12 | 49 | – | 3 semester hours, upper division |
| CS 390 System Analysis and Design | AI and software engineering | 3 | 9 | 45 | – | 3 semester hours, upper division |
Not sure where to start?
Four ways to order the courses, by goal. Each starts with the most introductory course.
Start programming
For learners who want to write code.
Build websites
For learners heading toward web development.
IT, networks and security
For learners interested in IT support, networks and cybersecurity.
Software and AI
For learners who want to see how software and AI systems are designed.
Questions, answered
Which computer science course should I take first?
It depends on your goal. To learn to code, start with Programming in Python. For websites, start with Introduction to HTML and CSS. For IT and networks, start with Fundamentals of Information Technology. No course here has a prerequisite, so you can start anywhere.
Will my college accept these courses?
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Search your school in Find My College, and ask your registrar which course each one would count as.
Can these count toward a computer science degree?
Each school decides how transfer credit applies to its own degree: as a major course, a general education course or an elective. Ask your school with the course syllabus in hand; every course page has its syllabus.
How much does a course cost?
$250 a course, paid once, with no proctoring or exam fees; or take every course with a plan.
Start with a free lesson
See how a course looks before you enroll, then check your school.
Facts from each course syllabus, the ACE listing and the NCCRS listing, checked 19 October 2026. ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.