Guide · Open source
How to use open-source-cs: a free self-study CS path
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
open-source-cs is a curated list of free online courses from universities such as MIT, Stanford, Princeton and Harvard, arranged by topic into a self-directed computer science study path. This guide shows you how to get the list, read its course tables and choose a sensible order. By the end you will know how to pick a starting point and track your progress through the sequence.
The Open Source Computer Science DegreeForrestKnight/open-source-cs · ★ 23.8k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Open the repository. Visit the GitHub repository or clone it with the command in the README to keep a local copy.
- 2Read the topic tables. Scan the Basics, Programming, Math, Systems, Theory, Applications and Unix tables to see what is covered.
- 3Check your starting level. Look at the prerequisite column and choose a course whose requirements you already meet.
- 4Plan your weekly time. Use the effort and frequency columns to estimate how many hours per week each course needs.
- 5Follow the chains in order. Complete sequences such as Calculus 1A to 1C and Algorithms Part I to Part II in order.
- 6Track your progress. Keep a personal log of the courses you have finished and the topics you still need.
What open-source-cs is and who it suits
The project is a README-based list rather than a single program. The author describes the courses as meeting the requirements of an undergraduate computer science degree, excluding general education, but the list does not award a degree or certificate.
It fits self-taught learners who want a structured order, students who want free supplements to a degree or bootcamp, and developers filling gaps in theory such as algorithms or systems.
- Good fit: people who study at their own pace and want a clear sequence
- Not a fit: people who need an accredited credential
- Not a fit: absolute beginners who have never written code, since several courses list prerequisites
Get the list and open the README
The repository is read online, so no installation is needed. You can clone it to keep a local copy of the README, using the command the project lists.
Once you have the file, read the topic tables. Each course row shows the school, duration, weekly effort, how often a new session starts and its prerequisites.
- Topics: Computer Science Basics, Programming, Math, Systems, Theory, Applications and Unix
- Columns: Courses, School, Duration, Effort, Frequency, Prerequisites
git clone https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-csChoose your starting course
Start where your current knowledge ends. The Computer Science Basics table lists Intro to Computer Science with no prerequisites, so it is a reasonable first stop for most readers. If you already program, you can move to the Programming table and begin with Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software, which also lists none as its prerequisite.
Check each course's prerequisite column before enrolling. Some rows depend on earlier courses in the same series, such as the Programming Languages parts A, B and C.
- Intro to Computer Science (Harvard): no prerequisites listed
- Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software (Duke): no prerequisites listed
- Linux Command Line Basics (IBM) and The Unix Workbench (JHU): no prerequisites listed
- Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris lists basic programming knowledge
Follow the prerequisite chain
Several topics are sequences. The Math table runs Calculus 1A to 1B to 1C, and the Theory table runs Algorithms, Part I before Algorithms, Part II. Following these in order avoids starting material that assumes skills you have not built yet.
Plan your time with the effort column. Estimates range from 2-5 hours per week to 12 hours per week, and the frequency column shows whether a course runs every week, twice a month, once a month or self-paced.
- Calculus 1A (Differentiation), then 1B (Integration), then 1C (Coordinate Systems & Infinite Series)
- Algorithms, Part I, then Algorithms, Part II
- Programming Languages Part A, then Part B, then Part C
Track your progress and fill gaps
The list has no built-in tracker, so keep your own record. A simple table or notes file with the course name, status and date you finished works well. Use the Systems and Theory sections to fill gaps in topics such as algorithms or systems, even if you already have practical experience.
Courses that appear commented out in the README, such as Introduction to Operating Systems, are not part of the active list, so do not count them as current recommendations.
- Record each course name, school and completion status
- Revisit a topic when a later course in the chain depends on it
Compare with other free learning resources
The project names The Odin Project, freeCodeCamp, MIT OpenCourseWare and CS50 course materials as comparable projects. open-source-cs is a list of separate university courses in a suggested order, so it can be less guided than a single structured tutorial. If you want one continuous curriculum, one of the comparable projects may suit you better.
What people use it for
- Teaching yourself computer science without enrolling in a degree program
- Filling theory gaps such as algorithms or systems alongside a job or bootcamp
- Building a math foundation with the MIT calculus sequence before machine learning
- Finding free university courses on databases, cryptography or the Unix command line
Frequently asked questions
Is open-source-cs free?
The repository is published under the MIT licence. The courses it links to are described as free, but each course is hosted by its own platform, so check that platform's terms before enrolling.
What are the requirements to use open-source-cs?
The README lists no install requirements, because you read it online or clone it. Individual courses have their own prerequisites, such as basic programming knowledge for Nand to Tetris or pre-calculus for Calculus 1A.
Does open-source-cs give a degree or certificate?
No. The list describes courses that cover the requirements of an undergraduate computer science degree, but it does not mention certificates or accredited credentials.
Can a complete beginner use open-source-cs?
Some beginners can start with Intro to Computer Science, which lists no prerequisites. However, many later courses expect prior programming knowledge, so absolute beginners may need to learn basic coding first.
What are good alternatives to open-source-cs?
The project names The Odin Project, freeCodeCamp, MIT OpenCourseWare and CS50 course materials as comparable projects. These offer more continuous or single-course learning paths.
How long does it take to finish the open-source-cs path?
The list gives a duration and weekly effort for each course, so you can total them yourself. Pace depends on your schedule, because most courses are self-paced or run on set frequencies.
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Our verdict
open-source-cs suits self-directed learners who want a free, ordered set of university courses and can manage their own schedule. It is a poor choice if you need an accredited credential, a single guided tutorial or you have never written code. Pick one of the comparable projects if you want a more continuous course from start to finish.
Install options & downloads