What Classes to Take to Become a Computer Scientist

Although the types of courses you need to take to become a Computer Scientist vary, one thing is sure: you can qualify for many entry-level computer science roles with a bootcamp or certificate program from a well-respected course provider. Some positions require a degree, whereas others are available to current interns or part-timers. These positions vary from industry to industry and company to company. Read on to learn more about what courses you may need to qualify for a computer science career.

What is a Computer Scientist?

The expression Computer Scientist refers to a broad category of computer science roles, including numerous titles. Positions for Computer Scientists can include titles like:

• Applied Scientist
• Computational Scientist
• Computer Vision Scientist
• Cybersecurity Research Scientist
• Machine Learning Scientist
• Research Scientist
• Staff Scientist

These are a few of the many titles these skilled professionals can hold. It can be challenging to determine which online job listings are not Computer Scientist if they have the word Scientist in them. However, here are some of the commonalities among Computer Scientist roles overall:

Typical Responsibilities

Job responsibilities for Computer Scientists vary, depending on level, industry, and title. Computer Scientist roles can require research, communication, mathematics, innovation, and writing for publications. Their tasks can relate to software, hardware, networks, and computer programming languages.

Reporting Structure for This Position

Many Computer Scientists work on large projects for teams, although some may work independently for research and development. They may work in business, medicine, government, system administration, data science, or other fields. Computer Scientists may report to management or team leaders.

Typical Working Environment

While there is no typical working environment for Computer Scientists due to the diversity of positions, a team approach is the most common. In addition to their combination of technical skills, Computer Scientists of all types should expect to use multiple soft skills (communication, time management, attention to detail) to work well with managers, engineers, programmers, and other specialists.

What Skills Will I Need to Learn to Become a Computer Scientist?

Computer Scientists’ technical and soft skills vary widely by seniority, industry, location, or title. Consider the following essential skills applicable to most Computer Scientist positions, whatever their particulars.

Hard Skills

Technical skills for Computer Scientists vary, but they can include a range of programming languages, content creation tools, platforms, development environments, and system architectures. Consider the following list of minimum requirements for a Junior Computer Scientist role:

• Python
• Java
• C++
• MATLAB
• Red Hat Command-Line Interface
• Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation (SCPI)
• NET Framework
• Git/GitHub
• Cloud computing

Remember that a different role might have vastly different requirements, particularly in another industry. If you know what industry or sector you plan to work in, you must learn about industry-specific requirements for Computer Scientists before you start training.

Soft Skills

Computer science soft skills are typically more consistent than hard skills across industries. Consider the following skills categories essential, as they would be in numerous other fields:

• Analytical Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Math Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Technical Writing Skills

Most organizations will also expect computer science employees to be self-motivated, able to work independently or collaboratively and demonstrate leadership skills in the case of a mid-level or senior position.

What Courses Should I Enroll in to Become a Computer Scientist?

The course or courses you must take to become a Computer Scientist can vary, from bootcamps and certificate programs to four-year degrees. Skills and tools essential for all computer science careers are few and far between. Programming languages like Python or JavaScript, platforms like GitHub, and development tools like HTML and CSS are common but may not be universal. One thing is sure: you need a comprehensive skill set to qualify for the best computer science roles. Consider the following bootcamps, certificate programs, and individual courses:

Software Engineering Certificate

The Software Engineering Certificate program from Noble Desktop covers all the skills you need to launch a particular type of computer science career—that of the Software Engineer or Full Stack Developer.

The first section of this beginner-friendly course delves into front end development. Attendees learn web development with essential scripting and markup tools HTML/CSS, including advanced concepts. The following unit deals with Bootstrap, Flexbox, and Grid for creating webpage content. Next come some of the most in-depth training modules covering front end development, including two 120-hour units on JavaScript and related tools. Topics include the MERN tech stack: MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js. The program features a separate 72-hour module on React. Attendees then begin professional-level portfolios before moving on to the back-end development units.

Back-end development training includes Python and Django REST. Participants now add 90 hours to learn Python, one of the most popular programming languages in the world (tied with JavaScript in some surveys). This part of the program includes a 30-hour Python Programming Bootcamp and a 60-hour Python Web Development with Django unit. Additional skills training covers Visual Studio (VS) Code, Git, and GitHub. Attendees can also choose a free bonus 18-hour SQL or WordPress bootcamp.

Tuition for the Software Engineering Certificate program covers other benefits too. Participants receive twelve 1-on-1 mentoring sessions with expert instructors and can retake the whole program for up to one year at no extra charge. 

This immersive program requires a serious commitment: it is available full-time for 20 weeks, for 510 hours. Although there is currently no part-time schedule for groups, those who need more flexibility may be able to create a custom schedule to choose training date options. Classes are available in-person at Noble’s state-of-the-art New York City headquarters or live online from anywhere.

Data Science Certificate

The beginner-friendly Data Science Certificate program from Noble Desktop features training for a different type of computer science pro: the Data Scientist or Data Analyst. These highly skilled professionals collect, organize, and analyze large data sets to provide insights to key decision-makers in organizations ranging from governmental agencies to private corporations. Data science is an intellectually challenging and rapidly growing field with plenty of room for advancement.

This comprehensive data-centered curriculum comprises 114 hours of hands-on, interactive training in four weeks full-time or 20 weeks part-time. The curriculum begins with a 30-hour Python for Data Science Bootcamp, a foundational unit for several Noble Desktop certificate programs. Attendees learn Python fundamentals, including Matplotlib, NumPy, Pandas, and Scikit-learn. The program also covers Seaborn, Plotly, and Dash Enterprise.

The Data Science Certificate finishes with two 30-hour Python units, one on data visualization and dashboards and the other on machine learning (ML). Participants learn everything from cleaning data to advanced visualization and machine learning algorithms. The program includes the creation of real-world projects for professional portfolio building.

Like other Noble Desktop certificates, this course includes mentoring sessions and supplemental materials. Graduates receive a digital certificate of completion and can retake the entire course for up to a year for free. The program emphasizes small class sizes and flexible payment options. It is available in-person or live online from anywhere with an internet connection.

Python for Data Science Bootcamp

The foundational Python for Data Science Bootcamp is an excellent introduction for Python novices who plan to launch data science or analytics careers. This 30-hour bootcamp takes students from Python beginner to confident Python user. It offers perks comparable to full-length certificate programs, including:

• Hands-on, interactive training, live online or in-person
• A digital certificate of completion
• Free retakes for up to a year after graduation
• Supplementary course materials

The curriculum begins with an introduction to object-oriented programming and then moves on to Python fundamentals like variables, expressions, and data types. The following section focuses on conditional statements and control flow tools. Topics include dictionaries, functions, Boolean operations, and packages.

The third section of the Python for Data Science Bootcamp covers data analysis and visualization. Tools for cleaning, filtering, and visualizing data include NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib. Participants learn to build professional-level portfolios with projects like 3D stats models, heat maps, histograms, or animated bar chart races.

Python for Data Science is a discrete bootcamp, but students can save by taking it as part of a full-length certificate program. Certificate attendees get additional mentoring sessions not included if taking the bootcamp separately. Programs featuring the Python for Data Science Bootcamp include the Data Science Certificate, Data Analytics Certificate, and FinTech Bootcamp. Check listings for more details, including any prerequisite information.

Web Development with HTML & CSS

Web Development with HTML & CSS is another foundational unit for several Noble Desktop certificate programs. This 18-hour training module introduces beginner-level students to coding websites and web pages. 

HyperText Markup Language, or HTML, is an essential standard building block for web development. Most development professionals learn Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) alongside HTML—so much so that articles often combine the two in a single abbreviation, HTML/CSS. Whereas HTML offers a basic framework for a website, CSS adds style elements like font size, colors, and spacing between elements.

The Web Development with HTML & CSS module teaches attendees to structure and tag content, set elements like size and width, and add pages to a website project. The curriculum focuses on responsive website design, so participants learn to create pages that adapt to various screen sizes like mobile.

The course also includes a 1-on-1 mentoring session with an expert instructor, and graduates can retake the program for up to a year at no extra charge. You can save by taking Web Development with HTML & CSS as part of the Front-End Web Development Certificate, Full-Stack Web Development Certificate, or Web Design Certificate.

These programs are a few of the many options for future Computer Scientists. Other alternatives may emphasize different areas of expertise, including cybersecurity, research, systems analysis, or other subjects. You may also need industry-specific knowledge or a particular certification for some roles. Whatever your future career path, start by researching typical job requirements for the position you seek. You may be surprised to learn that you can often get the desired role if you hold a certificate of completion from a respected course provider.

Learn the Skills to Become a Computer Scientist at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers multiple training options for students planning to learn computer science, in-person and online through teleconferencing. Topics include web development, data science programming, and software engineering. Consider the following programs:

• Data Science Certificate - One of Noble Desktop’s most popular programs, this course includes Python training as part of a more comprehensive data science curriculum. Attendees learn Python fundamentals like database analysis, automation, and formatting. You’ll also master other topics like SQL and machine learning.
• Full-Stack Web Development Certificate - The Full-Stack Web Development Certificate course provides students with intensive, comprehensive front and back-end coding training, teaching them to build and maintain websites. Through hands-on projects, the students will learn CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, SQL, Python, and Django, eventually becoming proficient in designing and developing complete web applications.
• Python Developer Certificate - The curriculum for this in-depth certificate program includes a 60-hour unit on Python Web Development with Django. In this intensive course, you’ll learn about URL dispatchers, automation, GitHub, and SQL. Attendees should have some experience with HTML and CSS before enrolling.
• Python Programming Bootcamp - The Python Programming Bootcamp is an intensive course designed to thoroughly immerse students in Python, one of the most sought-after programming languages in the tech industry. Not only will students be introduced to the basics of writing and running Python scripts, but they will also delve into more advanced topics such as file operations, regular expressions, working with binary data, and leveraging the extensive functionality of Python libraries.
• JavaScript Development Certificate - The JavaScript Development Certificate covers programming and development basics, including object-oriented programming (OOP), variables, arrays, string methods, and more. Tools and techniques include the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express, React, and Node), Visual Studio Code, Git, and GitHub. The course comprises eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, and graduates can retake the program for up to one year at no additional charge. Applicants should be familiar with HTML/CSS before enrollment.