What is hardware, and why is it important to learn about?

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.

What jobs can you get by learning about hardware?

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.

How can online courses help you learn about hardware?

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.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn hardware?

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.

What kind of people are best suited for work that involves hardware?

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.

What types of places hire people with a background in hardware?

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.

What topics can I study that are related to hardware?

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.

What are the benefits of taking an online Hardware course?

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.

What Hardware courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

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 .

Top Hardware Courses - Learn Hardware Online

Duke University

Build a Static Website with Rust and Zola

Skills you'll gain: Web Design and Development, Web Development, HTML and CSS, Web Development Tools, Application Deployment, Cloud Hosting, Content Management, Configuration Management, Software Installation

Google Cloud

Hybrid Cloud Multi-Cluster with Anthos en Français

Skills you'll gain: Kubernetes, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Istio, Cloud Infrastructure, Google Cloud Platform, Configuration Management, Cloud Computing, Microservices, Git (Version Control System), Service Oriented Architecture

Status: Free

Amazon Web Services

Managing AWS IoT Devices: Fleet Indexing

Skills you'll gain: Amazon Web Services, Internet Of Things, Data Analysis Software, Data Access, Query Languages, Configuration Management

Google Cloud

Getting Started with Google Kubernetes Engine - Português Brasileiro

Skills you'll gain: Kubernetes, Containerization, Identity and Access Management, Cloud Management, Google Cloud Platform, Application Deployment, Cloud Computing, Cloud Infrastructure, Microservices, Command-Line Interface

Illinois Tech

Open Source Programming - Master's

Skills you'll gain: Test Driven Development (TDD), Python Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Scripting Languages, Computer Programming, Web Development, Program Development, Open Source Technology, Data Processing, Database Application, Data Structures, User Interface (UI), File Management

Packt

Vim Masterclass

Skills you'll gain: Command-Line Interface, Integrated Development Environments, Graphical Tools, Software Development Tools, Computer Programming Tools, File Management, Development Environment, Configuration Management

Google Cloud

Improving Network Performance I

Skills you'll gain: Network Performance Management, Network Monitoring, Performance Tuning, Google Cloud Platform, Performance Testing, Network Troubleshooting, Network Analysis, Hardware Architecture, Intranet

Packt

Raspberry Pi and Arduino — Go to the Next Level

Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, Serial Peripheral Interface, Electronic Hardware, Display Devices, Embedded Systems, Computer Hardware, Remote Access Systems, Electronic Components, Automation, Python Programming, Debugging

Indian Institute of Science

Fundamentals of Sensors

Skills you'll gain: Electronic Systems, System Design and Implementation, Internet Of Things, Electronic Hardware, Embedded Systems, Electronic Components, Medical Science and Research, Engineering Design Process, Manufacturing Processes, Computer-Aided Design

Google Cloud

Security Command Center Fundamentals

Skills you'll gain: Cloud Security, System Configuration, Threat Detection, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Configuration Management, Google Cloud Platform, Security Management, Vulnerability Scanning, Vulnerability Management

Packt

Cisco CCT Routing and Switching (100-490)

Skills you'll gain: Network Troubleshooting, Networking Hardware, General Networking, Network Support, Network Administration, Network Routers, Computer Networking, Network Infrastructure, Network Switches, Hardware Troubleshooting, Technical Support and Services, Microsoft Windows, System Configuration, Command-Line Interface, Computer Hardware, System Support

Illinois Tech

Operating System Virtualization - Bachelor's

Skills you'll gain: Virtualization, Virtual Machines, Data Storage, Hyper-V, VMware ESX Servers, Data Storage Technologies, Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), Cloud Computing, IT Infrastructure, Network Infrastructure, Computer Networking, Data Centers, General Networking, Desktop Support, Computer Hardware

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Explore the Hardware Course Catalog

Build a Static Website with Rust and Zola

Hybrid Cloud Multi-Cluster with Anthos en Français

Managing AWS IoT Devices: Fleet Indexing

Getting Started with Google Kubernetes Engine - Português Brasileiro

Open Source Programming - Master's

Vim Masterclass

Improving Network Performance I

Raspberry Pi and Arduino — Go to the Next Level

Fundamentals of Sensors

Security Command Center Fundamentals

Cisco CCT Routing and Switching (100-490)

Operating System Virtualization - Bachelor's

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Hardware

What is hardware, and why is it important to learn about?‎

What jobs can you get by learning about hardware?‎

How can online courses help you learn about hardware?‎

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn hardware?‎

What kind of people are best suited for work that involves hardware?‎

What types of places hire people with a background in hardware?‎

What topics can I study that are related to hardware?‎

What are the benefits of taking an online Hardware course?‎

What Hardware courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?‎

Other topics to explore