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    • Hardware

    Hardware Courses Online

    Understand computer hardware principles for building and repairing systems. Learn about CPUs, GPUs, memory, and storage devices.

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    Explore the Hardware Course Catalog

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

      Skills you'll gain: Peripheral Devices, Technical Support, Computer Hardware, Disaster Recovery, System Configuration, Hardware Troubleshooting, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Linux, Networking Hardware, Computer Architecture, Mac OS, User Accounts

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.9K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of California, Irvine

      Computer Hardware and Software

      Skills you'll gain: Network Security, Computer Hardware, Hardware Architecture, TCP/IP, Information Technology, System Software, General Networking, Network Protocols, Operating Systems, Computer Networking, Software Systems, File Systems

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      173 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture

      Skills you'll gain: Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Debugging, Data Structures, System Programming, Microarchitecture, C (Programming Language), Hardware Architecture, Computer Architecture, Integrated Development Environments, Software Design, Maintainability, System Configuration, Peripheral Devices

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      517 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • I

      Illinois Tech

      Introduction to Contemporary Operating Systems and Hardware 1a

      Skills you'll gain: Computer Hardware, Hardware Architecture, Networking Hardware, Data Storage Technologies, System Configuration, Microarchitecture, Computer Architecture, Peripheral Devices

      Build toward a degree

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      83 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Maryland, College Park

      Hardware Security

      Skills you'll gain: Security Engineering, Computer Hardware, Hardware Architecture, Threat Modeling, Threat Detection, Cybersecurity, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Cryptography, Encryption, Emerging Technologies, Authentications, System Design and Implementation, Computational Logic

      4.3
      Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
      ·
      687 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      P

      Princeton University

      Computer Architecture

      Skills you'll gain: Microarchitecture, Computer Architecture, Hardware Architecture, Computer Systems, Computer Engineering, Distributed Computing, Operating Systems, Performance Tuning, Scalability

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.5K reviews

      Advanced · Course · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Hardware Description Languages for FPGA Design

      Skills you'll gain: System Design and Implementation, Verification And Validation, Computer Engineering, Programming Principles, Development Testing, Simulations, Hardware Architecture, Functional Testing, Debugging

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      598 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      J

      Johns Hopkins University

      Raspberry Pi Projects

      Skills you'll gain: Hardware Design, Electronic Hardware, Schematic Diagrams, Electronics, Computer-Aided Design, Mechanical Design, Remote Access Systems, Linux, Digital Communications, Restful API, Web Applications, Security Controls, Telecommunications, Electronic Components, Data Processing, Technical Design, Hardware Troubleshooting, Data Science, Embedded Software, Data Cleansing

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      85 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Microsoft

      Introduction to Computers

      Skills you'll gain: Business Software, Computer Hardware, Hardware Architecture, Generative AI, Operating Systems, Data Storage Technologies, Data Loss Prevention, Computer Systems, Enterprise Security, Information Technology, OS Process Management, System Configuration, Microsoft Windows, Technical Support, Servers, Cybersecurity

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      716 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      G

      Google

      The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking

      Skills you'll gain: Computer Networking, Network Troubleshooting, Network Administration, TCP/IP, Network Protocols, Network Routing, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Network Security, Wireless Networks, Network Model, Data Integrity

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      51K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      FPGA Design for Embedded Systems

      Skills you'll gain: Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware Design, Electronic Systems, System Design and Implementation, Embedded Systems, Electronics Engineering, Eclipse (Software), Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Electronics, Program Development, Integrated Development Environments, Computer Architecture, Hardware Architecture, Software Development, Embedded Software, Verification And Validation, Debugging, Computer Engineering, Programming Principles, Development Testing

      Build toward a degree

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.7K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals

      Skills you'll gain: Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Services, Peripheral Devices, Cybersecurity, Computing Platforms, Cloud Security, Cloud Technologies, Cloud Infrastructure, Network Troubleshooting, Encryption, Data Storage, Cyber Attacks, Software Development Life Cycle, Technical Support, Networking Hardware, Application Development, Computer Hardware, Information Technology, Cloud Computing, Databases

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      10K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular hardware courses

    • Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems: IBM
    • Computer Hardware and Software: University of California, Irvine
    • Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture: University of Colorado Boulder
    • Introduction to Contemporary Operating Systems and Hardware 1a: Illinois Tech
    • Hardware Security: University of Maryland, College Park
    • Computer Architecture: Princeton University
    • Hardware Description Languages for FPGA Design: University of Colorado Boulder
    • Raspberry Pi Projects: Johns Hopkins University
    • Introduction to Computers: Microsoft
    • The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking: Google

    Frequently Asked Questions about Hardware

    When it comes to Computing, hardware refers to the physical parts of a device that users interact with such as a keyboard, hard drive, or monitor. This is in contrast to software, which are the operating systems, applications, and other virtual computing programs that help users carry out tasks.

    Hardware can be created and manufactured by big tech names, such as Microsoft or Apple, or by hobbyists and smaller companies using Arduino, embedded-systems software, and other tools. Learning about hardware is important to making computer-based technologies functional for our everyday lives, as well as critical for maintaining and repairing them.‎

    Given the many applications of hardware studies—from security, to product design, to the IoT—jobs in hardware are varied depending on whatever specialty learners want to explore.

    Opportunities in Computer Hardware Engineering in particular can expect their field to grow a steady five percent through 2026—as fast as average. However, Engineers going the IoT route can expect to enter a market estimated to reach a value of USD 1256.1 billion by 2025. Related roles that can enjoy this lucrative market include Embedded Systems Engineer, Raspberry Pi Developer, Arduino Developer, and others.‎

    Hardware courses offered through Coursera equip learners with knowledge in hardware description languages such as VHDL and Verilog; design methods; embedded architectures; software that can manipulate hardware; 3D printing hardware; IoT applications; hardware security; and more.

    Lessons on hardware are taught by instructors from major tech names and universities, including University of Colorado, University of Illinois, EIT Digital, University of Maryland, and other organizations. Learners can enjoy exploring hardware with instructors specializing in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, and other disciplines. Course content on hardware is delivered via video lectures, hands-on projects, readings, quizzes, and other types of assignments.‎

    The skills and experience you might need to already have before starting to learn hardware are understanding the basics of how software and hardware intersect in devices, computers, operating systems, embedded systems, and assorted data structures. You might want to have some engineering aspects in your background and skills or work experience in hardware components and operating systems. You might be familiar with how embedded devices are impacting manufacturing in the Internet of Things, and you might want to also know about wireless sensor networks.‎

    The kind of people best suited for roles in hardware are mainly people who are interested in computers, are technologically oriented, or have an engineering or computer science background, gained either in online courses, internships, or on-the-job training. Understanding hardware is for those who want to know about physical components, like computers, monitors, peripherals, 3D printing equipment, and embedded systems. The people best suited for roles in hardware may also likely have knowledge of programming languages like Java, Python, C, C+, and Verilog, key languages for computer engineers.‎

    Common career paths for someone in hardware are generally working for a technology company, manufacturing firms, or even a large institution like a college university or online distribution service. You may start either in software or hardware environments and then extend your background of engineering skills or computer science skills to move into areas of installation and maintenance of computers, servers, circuit boards, routers, printers, and similar areas.‎

    Some of the topics related to hardware that you can study include machine learning, cloud networks, systems architecture, network security, computer maintenance, and data storage. These topics may bring a fuller understanding to you when trying to tackle all the information available about hardware for computers and devices. When learning about hardware, you could spend equal amounts of time studying these and other topics related to the computer and system machinery industries.‎

    Online Hardware courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Hardware skills. Choose from a wide range of Hardware courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Hardware, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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