Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

College or University credit is not yet available for this Specialization.

What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?

Upon successful completion of the Specialization, you will have the practical knowledge and experience to approach entry-level Software Engineering tasks and scenarios with confidence.

Do I need to know anything about Software Engineering to take this course?

No. This is an introductory course that assumes no prior knowledge of Software Engineering or Programming.

Do I need to download and install any software tools to complete this course?

Although no software downloads are required, you will complete hands-on labs and exercises using websites and lab environments accessible from your web browser.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

IBM Applied Software Engineering Fundamentals Specialization

IBM Applied Software Engineering Fundamentals Specialization

Build the foundation of your career in Software. Develop hands-on experience with Git, GitHub, Linux, and Python, and learn the fundamentals of Software Engineering.

Instructors: Abhishek Gagneja

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

5 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(877 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 months at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

Build toward a degree

Learn more

5 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(877 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 months at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

Build toward a degree

Learn more

What you'll learn

Describe software development and related technologies; outline approaches to deployment architectures; and summarize career options in the field.
Explain the role of version control and collaborative coding in SDLC & DevOps; Create GitHub repositories and use branching with Git commands.
List and execute commonly used Linux commands, utilize pipes and redirection, create simple shell scripts using BASH, schedule jobs using Cron.
Create, package, and deploy Python applications using knowledge of programming constructs, libraries, APIs and web services.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

55 practice exercises

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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Specialization - 5 course series

If you want to enter the exciting world of software development, this Software Engineering Foundations Specialization is for you. No prior degrees or knowledge of programming or application development are necessary. Software Developers are in great demand earning a median salary of US$110,140 per year according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The field is growing at a rate of 22% making it a great time to start a career in software engineering. The self-paced courses in this program provide the foundations to prepare for a wide range of IT & software development related careers, including web development, mobile application development, front-end, back-end, and full stack application development, software testing & quality assurance (QA), as well as DevOps engineering. This specialization is full of engaging videos, hands-on labs, and real-world projects that explore fundamental programming principles and foundations of design, architecture, and deployment; the software development lifecycle; Git and GitHub repositories; using the Linux terminal and creating Bash shell scripts to automate a variety of tasks; and coding with the Python programming language. The program is suitable for those new to software engineering or for those who would like a review of software engineering fundamentals. It prepares you with an introduction to the culture, technology, and job-ready skills needed to become successful in software engineering.   

Applied Learning Project

Each course is packed with hands-on labs, interactive activities, and projects so you can build your portfolio while gaining practical knowledge of software engineering concepts. You will develop software engineering skills throughout the program. Projects involve:.

Exploring job listings to become familiar with skills and requirements in the Software Engineering domain.
Using Git commands and GitHub to create an open source project while working with branches, merging code, and performing pull requests (PRs).
Writing a Bash shell script on Linux that takes backups of changed files and schedules it to run every 24 hours using Crontab.
Coding with Python using lists, tuples, dictionaries, sets, conditions, branching, loops, functions, exception handling, objects, and classes, web services & APIs, and libraries like NumPy & Pandas.
Developing a Python web app that uses IBM Watson to translate languages, including writing unit tests and packaging the app for distribution.

Introduction to Software Engineering

Course 114 hours

What you'll learn

Explain the principles of software engineering, the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), and software development tools, technologies, and stacks
Differentiate between programming language types and apply basic programming constructs such as loops, conditionals, and functions using Python
Summarize key software architecture and design approaches, including common architectural and deployment patterns
Outline the roles, skills, and career paths in software engineering

Skills you'll gain

Software Engineering, Software Development Life Cycle, Unified Modeling Language, Back-End Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Object Oriented Design, Software Architecture, Web Development, Application Development, Agile Methodology, Software Design, Integrated Development Environments, Programming Principles, Software Design Patterns, Python Programming, and Scrum (Software Development)

Getting Started with Git and GitHub

Course 210 hours

What you'll learn

Describe version control and its place in social and collaborative coding and in DevOps.
Explain basic Git concepts such as repositories and branches used for distributed version control and social coding.
Create GitHub repositories and branches, and perform pull requests (PRs) and merge operations, to collaborate on a team project.
Build your portfolio by creating and sharing an open-source project on GitHub.

Skills you'll gain

GitHub, Git (Version Control System), Collaborative Software, Command-Line Interface, Version Control, Open Source Technology, DevOps, and Web Applications

Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting

Course 314 hours

What you'll learn

Describe the Linux architecture and common Linux distributions and update and install software on a Linux system.
Perform common informational, file, content, navigational, compression, and networking commands in Bash shell.
Develop shell scripts using Linux commands, environment variables, pipes, and filters.
Schedule cron jobs in Linux with crontab and explain the cron syntax.

Skills you'll gain

Linux Commands, Shell Script, Linux, File Management, Unix, Scripting, Unix Commands, Linux Servers, Scripting Languages, Automation, Operating Systems, Bash (Scripting Language), Command-Line Interface, Network Protocols, Software Installation, and Ubuntu

Python for Data Science, AI & Development

Course 425 hours

What you'll learn

Develop a foundational understanding of Python programming by learning basic syntax, data types, expressions, variables, and string operations.
Apply Python programming logic using data structures, conditions and branching, loops, functions, exception handling, objects, and classes.
Demonstrate proficiency in using Python libraries such as Pandas and Numpy and developing code using Jupyter Notebooks.
Access and extract web-based data by working with REST APIs using requests and performing web scraping with BeautifulSoup.

Skills you'll gain

Python Programming, Pandas (Python Package), Data Structures, Web Scraping, NumPy, Application Programming Interface (API), Data Manipulation, JSON, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Processing, Scripting, Restful API, Automation, Data Import/Export, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Data Analysis, and Jupyter

Developing AI Applications with Python and Flask

Course 511 hours

What you'll learn

Describe the steps and processes involved in creating a Python application including the application development lifecycle
Create Python modules, run unit tests, and package applications while ensuring the PEP8 coding best practices
Build and deploy web applications using Flask, including routing, error handling, and CRUD operations.
Create and deploy an AI-based application onto a web server using IBM Watson AI Libraries and Flask

Skills you'll gain

Application Deployment, Unit Testing, Restful API, Python Programming, Application Programming Interface (API), Flask (Web Framework), Web Applications, Software Development Life Cycle, Programming Principles, Artificial Intelligence, and Integrated Development Environments

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Build toward a degree

When you complete this Specialization, you may be able to have your learning recognized for credit if you are admitted and enroll in one of the following online degree programs.¹