Open Source Society University
Path to a free self-taught education in Computer Science!
## Contents
- [About](#about)
- [Becoming an OSS student](#becoming-an-oss-student)
- [Motivation & Preparation](#motivation--preparation)
- [Curriculum](#curriculum)
- [How to use this guide](#how-to-use-this-guide)
- [Prerequisite](#prerequisite)
- [How to collaborate](#how-to-collaborate)
- [Community](#community)
- [Next Goals](#next-goals)
- [References](#references)
## About
This is a **solid path** for those of you who want to complete a **Computer Science** course on your own time, **for free**, with courses from the **best universities** in the World.
In our curriculum, we gave preference to MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) style courses because those courses were created with our style of learning in mind.
## Becoming an OSS student
To officially register for this course you must create a profile in our [web app](https://ossu.firebaseapp.com).
> **"How can I do this?"**
Just create an account on GitHub and log in with this account in our web app.
The intention of this app is to offer for our students a way to track their progress, and also the ability to show their progress through a public page for friends, family, employers, etc.
In the "My Progress" tab, you are able to edit the status of the courses that you are taking, and also add the link of your final project for each one.
## Motivation & Preparation
Here are two interesting links that can make **all** the difference in your journey.
The first one is a motivational video that shows a guy that went through the "MIT Challenge", that consists in learning the entire **4-year** MIT curriculum for Computer Science in **1 year**.
- [MIT Challenge](http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/myprojects/mit-challenge-2/)
The second link is a MOOC that will teach you learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. These are **fundamental abilities** to succeed in our journey.
- [Learning How to Learn](https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn)
**Are you ready to get started?**
## Curriculum
- [Introduction to Computer Science](#introduction-to-computer-science)
- [Math (Mathematical Thinking)](#math-mathematical-thinking)
- [Program Design](#program-design)
- [Math (Discrete Math)](#math-discrete-math)
- [Algorithms](#algorithms)
- [Programming Paradigms](#programming-paradigms)
- [Software Testing](#software-testing)
- [Math (Calculus)](#math-calculus)
- [Software Architecture](#software-architecture)
- [Theory](#theory)
- [Software Engineering](#software-engineering)
- [Math (Probability)](#math-probability)
- [Computer Architecture](#computer-architecture)
- [Operating Systems](#operating-systems)
- [Computer Networks](#computer-networks)
- [Databases](#databases)
- [Cloud Computing](#cloud-computing)
- [Math (Linear Algebra)](#math-linear-algebra)
- [Cryptography](#cryptography)
- [Security](#security)
- [Compilers](#compilers)
- [Parallel Computing](#parallel-computing)
- [UX Design](#ux-design)
- [Computer Graphics](#computer-graphics)
- [Artificial Intelligence](#artificial-intelligence)
- [Machine Learning](#machine-learning)
- [Natural Language Processing](#natural-language-processing)
- [Big Data](#big-data)
- [Data Mining](#data-mining)
- [Internet of Things](#internet-of-things)
- [Specializations](#specializations)
---
### Introduction to Computer Science
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python](https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-mitx-6-00-1x-5#!)| 9 weeks | 15 hours/week
[From Nand to Tetris (Part 1) ](https://www.coursera.org/learn/build-a-computer) | 6 weeks | 5-10 hours/week
### Math (Mathematical Thinking)
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Effective Thinking Through Mathematics](https://www.edx.org/course/effective-thinking-through-mathematics-utaustinx-ut-9-01x) | 9 weeks | 5 hours/week
### Program Design
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[How to Code: Systematic Program Design - Part 1](https://www.edx.org/course/how-code-systematic-program-design-part-ubcx-spd1x)| 5 weeks | 8-12 hours/week
[How to Code: Systematic Program Design - Part 2](https://www.edx.org/course/how-code-systematic-program-design-part-ubcx-spd2x)| 5 weeks | 8-12 hours/week
[How to Code: Systematic Program Design - Part 3](https://www.edx.org/course/how-code-systematic-program-design-part-ubcx-spd3x)| 5 weeks | 8-12 hours/week
### Math (Discrete Math)
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Mathematics for Computer Science](http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-042j-mathematics-for-computer-science-fall-2010/index.htm)| 12 weeks | 5 hours/week
### Algorithms
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Algorithms, Part I](https://www.coursera.org/course/algs4partI)| 6 weeks | 6-12 hours/week
[Algorithms, Part II](https://www.coursera.org/course/algs4partII)| 6 weeks | 6-12 hours/week
### Programming Paradigms
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Functional Programming Principles in Scala](https://www.coursera.org/course/progfun)| 7 weeks | 5-7 hours/week
[Object Oriented Programming in Java](https://www.coursera.org/learn/object-oriented-java) | 6 weeks | 4-6 hours/week
### Software Testing
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Software Testing](https://www.udacity.com/course/software-testing--cs258)| 4 weeks | 6 hours/week
[Software Debugging](https://www.udacity.com/course/software-debugging--cs259)| 8 weeks | 6 hours/week
### Math (Calculus)
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Calculus One](https://www.coursera.org/learn/calculus1)| 16 weeks | 8-10 hours/week
[Calculus Two: Sequences and Series](https://www.coursera.org/learn/advanced-calculus)| 7 weeks | 9-10 hours/week
### Software Architecture
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Software Architecture & Design](https://www.udacity.com/course/software-architecture-design--ud821)| 8 weeks | 6 hours/week
### Theory
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Automata](https://www.coursera.org/course/automata)| 6 weeks | 8-10 hours/week
### Software Engineering
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Software Processes and Agile Practices](https://www.coursera.org/learn/software-processes-and-agile-practices)| 4 weeks | 6-8 hours/week
### Math (Probability)
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Introduction to Probability - The Science of Uncertainty](https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-probability-science-mitx-6-041x-0)| 16 weeks | 12 hours/week
### Computer Architecture
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Computer Architecture](https://www.coursera.org/course/comparch)| - | 5-8 hours/week
### Operating Systems
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Operating Systems and System Programming](https://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=-XXv-cvA_iBDyz-ba4yDskqMDY6A1w_c)| 10 weeks | 2-3 hours/week
### Computer Networks
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Computer Networks](https://www.coursera.org/course/comnetworks)| - | 4–12 hours/week
### Databases
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Databases](https://lagunita.stanford.edu/courses/DB/2014/SelfPaced/about)| 12 weeks | 8-12 hours/week
### Cloud Computing
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Introduction to Cloud Computing](https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-cloud-computing-ieeex-cloudintro-x-0)| 4 weeks | 1 hour/week
### Math (Linear Algebra)
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Coding the Matrix: Linear Algebra through Computer Science Applications](https://www.coursera.org/course/matrix)| 10 weeks | 7-10 hours/week
### Cryptography
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Cryptography I](https://www.coursera.org/course/crypto)| 6 weeks | 5-7 hours/week
[Cryptography II](https://www.coursera.org/course/crypto2)| 6 weeks | 6-8 hours/week
### Security
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Introduction to Cyber Security](https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/introduction-to-cyber-security) | 8 weeks | 3 hours/week
### Compilers
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Compilers](https://www.coursera.org/course/compilers)| 9 weeks | 6-8 hours/week
### Parallel Computing
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Heterogeneous Parallel Programming](https://www.coursera.org/course/hetero)| 11 weeks | 8-10 hours/week
### UX Design
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[UX Design for Mobile Developers](https://www.udacity.com/course/ux-design-for-mobile-developers--ud849)| 6 weeks | 6 hours/week
### Computer Graphics
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Computer Graphics](https://www.edx.org/course/computer-graphics-uc-san-diegox-cse167x)| 6 weeks | 12 hours/week
### Artificial Intelligence
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Artificial Intelligence](https://www.edx.org/course/artificial-intelligence-uc-berkeleyx-cs188-1x#!)| 12 weeks | 15 hours/week
### Machine Learning
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Machine Learning](https://www.coursera.org/learn/machine-learning)| 11 weeks | 4-6 hours/week
### Natural Language Processing
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Natural Language Processing](https://www.coursera.org/course/nlangp)| 10 weeks | 8-10 hours/week
### Big Data
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Introduction to Big Data](https://www.coursera.org/learn/intro-to-big-data)| 3 weeks | 5-6 hours/week
### Data Mining
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[Pattern Discovery in Data Mining](https://www.coursera.org/course/patterndiscovery) | 4 weeks | 4-6 hours/week
### Internet of Things
Courses | Duration | Effort
:-- | :--: | :--:
[The Internet of Things](https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/internet-of-things)| 4 weeks | 2 hours/week
### Specializations
After finishing the courses above, start your specializations on the topics that you have more interest.
The following platforms currently offer specializations:
#### edX: [xSeries](https://www.edx.org/xseries)
#### Coursera: [Specializations](https://www.coursera.org/specializations)
#### Udacity: [Nanodegree](https://www.udacity.com/nanodegree)
#### FutureLearn: [Collections](https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/collections)
## How to use this guide
### Order of the classes
This guide was developed to be consumed in a linear approach. What does this mean? That you should complete one course at a time.
The courses are **already** in the order that you should complete them. Just start in the [Introduction to Computer Science](#introduction-to-computer-science) section and after finishing the first course, start the next one.
**If the course isn't open, do it anyway with the resources from the previous class.**
### Should I take all courses?
**Yes!** The intention is to conclude **all** the courses listed here!
### Duration of the project
It may take longer to complete all of the classes compared to a regular CS course, but I can **guarantee** you that your **reward** will be proportional to **your motivation/dedication**!
You must focus on your **habit**, and **forget** about goals. Try to invest 1 ~ 2 hours **every day** studying this curriculum. If you do this, **inevitably** you'll finish this curriculum.
> See more about "Commit to a process, not a goal" [here](http://jamesclear.com/goals-systems).
### Project Based
Here in **OSS University**, you do **not** need to take exams, because we are focused on **real projects**!
In order to show for everyone that you **successfully** finished a course, you should create a **real project**.
> "What does it mean?"
After finish a course, you should think about a **real world problem** that you can solve using the acquired knowledge in the course. You don't need to create a big project, but you must create something to **validate** and **consolidate** your knowledge, and also to show to the world that you are capable to create something useful with the concepts that you learned.
The projects of all students will be listed in [this](https://github.com/open-source-society/help/blob/master/PROJECTS.md) file. Submit your project's information in that file after you conclude it.
**You can create this project alone or with other students!**
#### Project Suggestions
- [Projects](https://github.com/karan/Projects): A list of practical projects that anyone can solve in any programming language.
- [app-specs](https://github.com/ericdouglas/app-specs): A curated list of applications specifications and implementations to practice new technologies, improve your portfolio and sharpen your skills.
- [FreeCodeCamp](http://www.freecodecamp.com/): Course that teaches you fullstack JavaScript development through a bunch of projects.
- [JavaScript Projects](https://github.com/javascript-society/javascript-projects): List of projects related with the [JavaScript Path](https://github.com/javascript-society/javascript-path).
And you should also...
### Be creative!
This is a **crucial** part of your journey through all those courses.
You **need** to have in mind that what you are able to **create** with the concepts that you learned will be your certificate **and this is what really matters**!
In order to show that you **really** learned those things, you need to be **creative**!
Here are some tips about how you can do that:
- **Articles**: create blog posts to synthesize/summarize what you learned.
- **GitHub repository**: keep your course's files organized in a GH repository, so in that way other students can use it to study with your annotations.
### Cooperative work
**We love cooperative work**! Use our [channels](#community) to communicate with other fellows to combine and create new projects!
### Which programming languages should I use?
My friend, here is the best part of liberty! You can use **any** language that you want to complete the courses.
The **important** thing for each course is to **internalize** the **core concepts** and to be able to use them with whatever tool (programming language) that you wish.
### Content Policy
You must share **only** files that you are **allowed** to! **Do NOT disrespect the code of conduct** that you signed in the beginning of some courses.
[Be creative](#be-creative) in order to show your progress! :smile:
### Stay tuned
[Watch](https://help.github.com/articles/watching-repositories/) this repository for futures improvements and general information.
## Prerequisite
The **only things** that you need to know are how to use **Git** and **GitHub**. Here are some resources to learn about them:
**Note**: Just pick one of the courses below to learn the basics. You will learn a lot more once you get started!
- [Try Git](https://try.github.io/levels/1/challenges/1)
- [Git - the simple guide](http://rogerdudler.github.io/git-guide/)
- [GitHub Training & Guides](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg7s6cbtAD15G8lNyoaYDuKZSKyJrgwB-)
- [GitHub Hello World](https://guides.github.com/activities/hello-world/)
- [Git Immersion](http://gitimmersion.com/index.html)
- [How to Use Git and GitHub](https://www.udacity.com/course/how-to-use-git-and-github--ud775)
## Change Log
**Curriculum Version**: `2.0.1`
To show **respect** to all of our students, we will keep a [CHANGELOG](CHANGELOG.md) file that contains all the alterations that our curriculum may suffer.
Now we have a **stable** version of the curriculum, which won't change anymore, only in exceptional cases (outdated courses, broken links, etc).
Our students can **trust** in this curriculum because it has been **carefully planned** and covers **all** the **core topics** that a conventional Computer Science course covers.
We also include modern topics, making this course one of the **best options** for those who want to become a Computer Scientist and/or a Software Engineer.
## How to collaborate
You can [open an issue](https://help.github.com/articles/creating-an-issue/) and give us your suggestions as to how we can improve this guide, or what we can do to improve the learning experience.
You can also [fork this project](https://help.github.com/articles/fork-a-repo/) and send a [pull request](https://help.github.com/articles/using-pull-requests/) to fix any mistakes that you have found.
If you want to suggest a new resource, send a pull request adding such resource to the [extras](https://github.com/open-source-society/computer-science/tree/master/extras) section.
The **extras** section is a place where all of us will be able to submit interesting additional articles, books, courses and specializations, keeping our curriculum *as immutable and concise as possible*.
**Let's do it together! =)**
## Community
Subscribe to [/r/opensourcesociety](https://www.reddit.com/r/opensourcesociety/)!
Join us in our [group](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/open-source-society-university)!
You can also interact through [GitHub issues](https://github.com/open-source-society/computer-science/issues).
We also have a chat room! [](https://gitter.im/open-source-society/computer-science?utm_campaign=pr-badge&utm_content=badge&utm_medium=badge&utm_source=badge)
Add **Open Source Society University** to your [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ossuniversity) profile!
> **ps**: A forum is an ideal way to interact with other students as we do not lose important discussions, which usually occur in communication via chat apps. **Please use our subreddit/group for important discussions**.
## Next Goals
- [Add our University page at Linkedin](https://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/40128/~/adding-a-new-university-page), so in that way we will be able to add **OSS University** in our Linkedin profile.
## References
- [Google - Guide for Technical Development](https://www.google.com/about/careers/students/guide-to-technical-development.html)
- [Coursera](https://www.coursera.org/)
- [edX](https://www.edx.org)
- [Udacity](https://www.udacity.com/)
- [Future Learn](https://www.futurelearn.com/)
- [Stanford University](https://lagunita.stanford.edu/)
- [MIT Open Courseware](http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/#electrical-engineering-and-computer-science)
- [Obtaining a Thorough CS Background Online](http://spin.atomicobject.com/2015/05/15/obtaining-thorough-cs-background-online/)