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Computer Programming
Certificate Program

Computer Programming

Language fluency for innovation

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certificate Description

Know your code—the foundation of innovation

Understanding how to write and test code has become a foundational criteria for tech jobs across most industries. In the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Computer Programming certificate program you learn front end and back end web development technologies, gaining a strong foundation in software development. You learn to apply coding skills across platforms—from computers and mobile devices, to web development and the cloud.

Computer Programming certificate program objectives

  • Demonstrate the ability to develop logically structured software solutions through the use of a high-level programming language
  • Design object-oriented systems
  • Implement optimal solutions for software systems using advanced concepts of algorithms and computer science theory

Our Computer Programming students

  • Entry-level programmers or people changing careers
  • Software developers who want to enhance their programming knowledge
  • Non-technical professionals who want programming training to expand their career options
  • Hobbyists who need to learn programming to build their own applications
  • Project managers who want to communicate more effectively with programmers and better manage software projects

See the Syllabus Library for Course Details

   

   

Generative AI in 2024

Technology instructor Hien Luu introduces the world of generative AI—the architecture of ChatGPT and its variants. Learn about prompt engineering, the best approach to AI tools, resources, and practices in building generative AI models. (December • 2023)

   
   

   

Programming with Generative AI

Technology instructor Bineet Sharma talks about the latest developments in AI and how programmers can apply new technology to create great code more efficiently. (August • 2023)

   

Program Overview

Program Overview | Downloadable PDF

Estimated Cost: $4,530–$5,500 + Estimated Course Materials: $250 (You pay only for courses you enroll in.) | International Tuition Cost

Program Requirements: 5–7 courses (minimum 14 quarter units). Take 2 required courses (6 quarter units) and 3–5 electives (minimum 8 quarter units). End with certificate of completion review.

Minimum Hours of Instruction: Minimum 140 hours of instruction.

Estimated Duration: A full-time student can complete the certificate in 9–12 months.

Modality: You can complete this program fully online, in person, or choose a mix of course formats.

Special Programs: This program is approved for workforce and international students.

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Courses

Syllabus Library Detail View
Course Quarter Units Fall Winter Spring Summer
1. Required Course(s):
Object-Oriented Analysis and Design 3.0 Summer Flexible
2. Core Course(s): (Choose 1)
C++ Programming 3.0
Java Programming II 3.0 Fall Flexible Winter Flexible
Python for Programmers 3.0 Fall Flexible Winter Flexible
3. Electives: Programming Languages
C++ Programming 3.0
C Programming I 2.0 Summer Flexible
C Programming II 3.0
Java Programming I 2.0 Fall Flexible
Java Programming II 3.0 Fall Flexible Winter Flexible
4. Electives: Scripting Languages
Data Structures and Algorithms Using Python 3.0 Fall Flexible Winter Flexible Spring Flexible Summer Flexible
Python for Programmers 3.0 Fall Flexible Winter Flexible
Python: Object-Oriented Programming 2.0
Python Programming for Beginners 1.5 Fall Flexible Winter Flexible Spring Flexible
5. Electives: Mobile Device Programming
Mobile Application Development - Android and iOS, Advanced 3.0 Winter Flexible
Mobile Application Development - Android and iOS, Introduction 3.0 Fall Flexible Spring Flexible Summer Flexible
6. Electives: Adv. Programming and Concepts
Hands-On Data Engineering 3.0 Summer Flexible
Introduction to Machine Learning 3.0 Fall Flexible Winter Flexible Spring Flexible Summer Flexible
Rust Programming Fundamentals 3.0
Completion Review:
Computer Programming Certificate Completion Fee None

Meet Our Instructors

Avnish Aggarwal

Avnish Aggarwal

Independent Technology Consultant
Bineet Sharma

Bineet Sharma

Director/Assoc. Professor, Univ. of Silicon Valley|Chair/Instructor UCSC SV
Danesh Forouhari

Danesh Forouhari

Senior Software Engineering Manager of Infrastructure, Khan Academy,
Edwin Mach

Edwin Mach

Director of Product Management and Head of Product Stream Processing Splunk
Hemil Patel

Hemil Patel

Principal Engineer, CDK Global
Irv Kalb

Irv Kalb

Technology Author | Instructor
Marilson B Campos

Marilson B Campos

Senior Staff Engineer - ML Platform, Apixio
Preetpal Kang

Preetpal Kang

Vice President of Firmware, Sibros
Sara Saatchi

Sara Saatchi

Professor
Satyen Kansara

Satyen Kansara

Head of Data and Visualization, Illumio
Siddartha Punj

Siddartha Punj

Healthcare Data Analysis Consultant
Venkat Mavram

Venkat Mavram

Director of Engineering
Wayne Fenton

Wayne Fenton

Backend Platform Architect, Upwork
Xi "Bill" Chen

Xi "Bill" Chen

Senior Software Engineer, Meta

What students are saying

"Jagadeesh really prepares for the sessions and the assignments, not letting students to lose focus during classes, engaging all. He has got a lot of examples to share and makes people think to apply what we learn in the class."
— SasiKumar Arumugan     International Student Lead Software Engineer

SasiKumar Arumugan
Program: Computer Programming

Certificate Inquiry Form

Contact Us

Speak to a student services representative.

Call (408) 861-3860

Envelope extension@ucsc.edu

Requisite Knowledge

Please review the course descriptions to ensure that you have taken necessary prerequisites or meet the requirements through job experience or previous education.

Advisory Board

sharma-bineet_2020.jpg

Certificate Program Chair

BINEET SHARMA, M.S.C.S., is a seasoned technologist with more than 30 years’ experience in technical architecture, upper level management, professional teaching, and entrepreneurship. He has held a variety of leadership roles in all aspects of the software development life cycle, including CEO of CashonAd, a mobile advertising app platform; and co-founder of OnTick, a technical analysis tool for stock market data positions. Previously he held management and technical positions at F1Soft International, Soffront Software, Concuity, National Data Corp., and Epiphany. He is also the founding president of the Computer Association of Nepal, which focuses on regional training, education, and technical support to Nepalese communities in need. Sharma has master’s degrees in both computer science and mining engineering from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and is a certified ScrumMaster. His passion for teaching technology has inspired more than 100 computer classes throughout Silicon Valley and the greater Bay area on topics ranging from operating systems, data structures and C to Visual C++, and Java programming. He has served as program chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Computer Programming certificate program since 2019.

Certificate Program Advisory Committee

BINEET SHARMA, M.S.C.S.
Chair/Instructor, Computer Programming Program
UCSC Silicon Valley Extension, Santa Clara, CA

IGNACIO TERRIZZANO, M.S.
Senior Research Software Architect, IBM Research
San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Establish Candidacy

Steps for Establishing Candidacy

Establish Candidacy

Grade Requirements

Please note that only letter grades of C or higher may be applied to a certificate, and in some programs, students may have more stringent requirements. Students in most employer- and government-sponsored payment programs, such as workforce development, as well as international students on F-1 visas, need to maintain a B average to meet their requirements.

See Grading and Credits Policy for further information.