The world's biggest MOOC platform, Coursera, have recently shared their 10 most popular courses of 2018. With the holiday season upon us, now is the time to treat yourself to a new skill. Discover courses for career advancement, life enhancement, or simply learn about the next big thing.
#1 Machine Learning
Offered by Stanford University
Approx. 55 hours to complete
This course provides a broad introduction to machine learning, datamining, and statistical pattern recognition. Topics include: (i) Supervised learning (parametric/non-parametric algorithms, support vector machines, kernels, neural networks). (ii) Unsupervised learning (clustering, dimensionality reduction, recommender systems, deep learning). (iii) Best practices in machine learning (bias/variance theory; innovation process in machine learning and AI). The course will also draw from numerous case studies and applications, so that you'll also learn how to apply learning algorithms to building smart robots (perception, control), text understanding (web search, anti-spam), computer vision, medical informatics, audio, database mining, and other areas. Go to Course ...
#2 Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects
Offered by University of California San Diego
Approx. 12 hours to complete
This course gives you easy access to the invaluable learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. We’ll learn about the how the brain uses two very different learning modes and how it encapsulates (“chunks”) information. We’ll also cover illusions of learning, memory techniques, dealing with procrastination, and best practices shown by research to be most effective in helping you master tough subjects. Go to Course ...
#3 The Science of Well-Being
Offered by Yale University
Approx. 19 hours to complete
“The Science of Well-Being” taught by Professor Laurie Santos overviews what psychological science says about happiness. The purpose of the course is to not only learn what psychological research says about what makes us happy but also to put those strategies into practice. The first part of the course reveals misconceptions we have about happiness and the annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do. The next part of the course focuses on activities that have been proven to increase happiness along with strategies to build better habits. The last part of the course gives learners time, tips, and social support to work on the final assignment which asks learners to apply one wellness activity aka "Rewirement" into their lives for four weeks. Go to Course ...
#4 Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies
Offered by Princeton University
Approx. 18 hours to complete
How does Bitcoin work? What makes Bitcoin different? How secure are your Bitcoins? How anonymous are Bitcoin users? What determines the price of Bitcoins? Can cryptocurrencies be regulated? What might the future hold?
After this course, you’ll know everything you need to be able to separate fact from fiction when reading claims about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. You’ll have the conceptual foundations you need to engineer secure software that interacts with the Bitcoin network. And you’ll be able to integrate ideas from Bitcoin in your own projects. Go to Course ...
#5 Algorithms, Part I
Offered by Princeton University
Approx. 31 hours to complete
This course covers the essential information that every serious programmer needs to know about algorithms and data structures, with emphasis on applications and scientific performance analysis of Java implementations. Part I covers elementary data structures, sorting, and searching algorithms. Part II focuses on graph- and string-processing algorithms.
All the features of this course are available for free. It does not offer a certificate upon completion. Go to Course ...
#6 English for Career Development
Offered by University of Pennsylvania
Approx. 19 hours to complete
This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in advancing their careers in the global marketplace. In this course, you will learn about the job search, application, and interview process in the United States, while comparing and contrasting the same process in your home country. This course will also give you the opportunity to explore your global career path, while building your vocabulary and improving your language skills to achieve your professional goals. Go to Course ...
#7 Financial Markets
Offered by Yale University
Approx. 38 hours to complete
An overview of the ideas, methods, and institutions that permit human society to manage risks and foster enterprise. Emphasis on financially-savvy leadership skills. Description of practices today and analysis of prospects for the future. Introduction to risk management and behavioral finance principles to understand the real-world functioning of securities, insurance, and banking industries. The ultimate goal of this course is using such industries effectively and towards a better society. Go to Course ...
#8 Introduction to Psychology
Offered by University of Toronto
Approx. 32 hours to complete
This course will highlight the most interesting experiments within the field of psychology, discussing the implications of those studies for our understanding of the human mind and human behavior. We will explore the brain and some of the cognitive abilities it supports like memory, learning, attention, perception and consciousness. We will examine human development - both in terms of growing up and growing old - and will discuss the manner in which the behavior of others affect our own thoughts and behavior. Finally we will discuss various forms of mental illness and the treatments that are used to help those who suffer from them. Go to Course ...
#9 Cómo hacer una tesis
Offered by Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Approx. 11 hours to complete
El participante en proceso de titulación o que están finalizando estudios universitarios, será capaz de elaborar una tesis en seis meses; por medio de las herramientas adquiridas en cada módulo, a fin de que las conjuguen con los conocimientos, habilidades y aptitudes con que cuentan e impulsando sus capacidades de investigación.
Go to Course ...
#10 Chinese for Beginners
Offered by Peking University
Approx. 10 hours to complete
This is an ABC Chinese course for beginners, including introduction of phonetics and daily expressions. After taking this class, learners can have a basic understanding of Chinese Mandarin and make basic conversations of daily living such as exchanging personal information, talking about daily arrangements and food, asking about price, introducing the city and the weather, telling your hobbies etc. Selected topics and situations come from real life scenarios and can be used for everyday communications. In addition to the dialogues, the selection of reading materials and practice activities will make the content as rich and varied as possible, in order to stimulate the learners’ interests. This is an elementary course on Chinese speaking. The learners don’t need to study Chinese characters, so it is easier to follow and complete this course. Go to Course ...
See also Coursera's most popular courses across three of their popular domains:
#1 Machine Learning
Offered by Stanford University
Approx. 55 hours to complete
This course provides a broad introduction to machine learning, datamining, and statistical pattern recognition. Topics include: (i) Supervised learning (parametric/non-parametric algorithms, support vector machines, kernels, neural networks). (ii) Unsupervised learning (clustering, dimensionality reduction, recommender systems, deep learning). (iii) Best practices in machine learning (bias/variance theory; innovation process in machine learning and AI). The course will also draw from numerous case studies and applications, so that you'll also learn how to apply learning algorithms to building smart robots (perception, control), text understanding (web search, anti-spam), computer vision, medical informatics, audio, database mining, and other areas. Go to Course ...
#2 Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects
Offered by University of California San Diego
Approx. 12 hours to complete
This course gives you easy access to the invaluable learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. We’ll learn about the how the brain uses two very different learning modes and how it encapsulates (“chunks”) information. We’ll also cover illusions of learning, memory techniques, dealing with procrastination, and best practices shown by research to be most effective in helping you master tough subjects. Go to Course ...
#3 The Science of Well-Being
Offered by Yale University
Approx. 19 hours to complete
“The Science of Well-Being” taught by Professor Laurie Santos overviews what psychological science says about happiness. The purpose of the course is to not only learn what psychological research says about what makes us happy but also to put those strategies into practice. The first part of the course reveals misconceptions we have about happiness and the annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do. The next part of the course focuses on activities that have been proven to increase happiness along with strategies to build better habits. The last part of the course gives learners time, tips, and social support to work on the final assignment which asks learners to apply one wellness activity aka "Rewirement" into their lives for four weeks. Go to Course ...
#4 Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies
Offered by Princeton University
Approx. 18 hours to complete
How does Bitcoin work? What makes Bitcoin different? How secure are your Bitcoins? How anonymous are Bitcoin users? What determines the price of Bitcoins? Can cryptocurrencies be regulated? What might the future hold?
After this course, you’ll know everything you need to be able to separate fact from fiction when reading claims about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. You’ll have the conceptual foundations you need to engineer secure software that interacts with the Bitcoin network. And you’ll be able to integrate ideas from Bitcoin in your own projects. Go to Course ...
#5 Algorithms, Part I
Offered by Princeton University
Approx. 31 hours to complete
This course covers the essential information that every serious programmer needs to know about algorithms and data structures, with emphasis on applications and scientific performance analysis of Java implementations. Part I covers elementary data structures, sorting, and searching algorithms. Part II focuses on graph- and string-processing algorithms.
All the features of this course are available for free. It does not offer a certificate upon completion. Go to Course ...
#6 English for Career Development
Offered by University of Pennsylvania
Approx. 19 hours to complete
This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in advancing their careers in the global marketplace. In this course, you will learn about the job search, application, and interview process in the United States, while comparing and contrasting the same process in your home country. This course will also give you the opportunity to explore your global career path, while building your vocabulary and improving your language skills to achieve your professional goals. Go to Course ...
#7 Financial Markets
Offered by Yale University
Approx. 38 hours to complete
An overview of the ideas, methods, and institutions that permit human society to manage risks and foster enterprise. Emphasis on financially-savvy leadership skills. Description of practices today and analysis of prospects for the future. Introduction to risk management and behavioral finance principles to understand the real-world functioning of securities, insurance, and banking industries. The ultimate goal of this course is using such industries effectively and towards a better society. Go to Course ...
#8 Introduction to Psychology
Offered by University of Toronto
Approx. 32 hours to complete
This course will highlight the most interesting experiments within the field of psychology, discussing the implications of those studies for our understanding of the human mind and human behavior. We will explore the brain and some of the cognitive abilities it supports like memory, learning, attention, perception and consciousness. We will examine human development - both in terms of growing up and growing old - and will discuss the manner in which the behavior of others affect our own thoughts and behavior. Finally we will discuss various forms of mental illness and the treatments that are used to help those who suffer from them. Go to Course ...
#9 Cómo hacer una tesis
Offered by Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Approx. 11 hours to complete
El participante en proceso de titulación o que están finalizando estudios universitarios, será capaz de elaborar una tesis en seis meses; por medio de las herramientas adquiridas en cada módulo, a fin de que las conjuguen con los conocimientos, habilidades y aptitudes con que cuentan e impulsando sus capacidades de investigación.
Go to Course ...
#10 Chinese for Beginners
Offered by Peking University
Approx. 10 hours to complete
This is an ABC Chinese course for beginners, including introduction of phonetics and daily expressions. After taking this class, learners can have a basic understanding of Chinese Mandarin and make basic conversations of daily living such as exchanging personal information, talking about daily arrangements and food, asking about price, introducing the city and the weather, telling your hobbies etc. Selected topics and situations come from real life scenarios and can be used for everyday communications. In addition to the dialogues, the selection of reading materials and practice activities will make the content as rich and varied as possible, in order to stimulate the learners’ interests. This is an elementary course on Chinese speaking. The learners don’t need to study Chinese characters, so it is easier to follow and complete this course. Go to Course ...
See also Coursera's most popular courses across three of their popular domains:
