Coursera

Greedy Algorithms, Minimum Spanning Trees, and Dynamic Programming (Coursera)

Offered by Stanford University,

The primary topics in this part of the specialization are: greedy algorithms (scheduling, minimum spanning trees, clustering, Huffman codes) and dynamic programming (knapsack, sequence alignment, optimal search trees).

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Course 3 of 4 in the Algorithms Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Two motivating applications; selected review; introduction to greedy algorithms; a scheduling application; Prim's MST algorithm.

WEEK 2
Kruskal's MST algorithm and applications to clustering; advanced union-find (optional).

WEEK 3
Huffman codes; introduction to dynamic programming.

WEEK 4
Advanced dynamic programming: the knapsack problem, sequence alignment, and optimal binary search trees.

Go to Class

MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Coursera

University of Cape Town

Julia Scientific Programming (Coursera)

Statistics & Data Analysis Data Science

This four-module course introduces users to Julia as a first language. Julia is a high-level, high-performance dynamic programming language developed specifically for scientific computing. This language will be particularly useful for applications in physics, chemistry, astronomy, engineering, data science, bioinformatics and many more.

Sep 14th 2026

4 Weeks

IPython Data Analysis Computer Programming

Coursera

University of California, San Diego

Comparing Genes, Proteins, and Genomes (Bioinformatics III) (Coursera)

Sci: Biology & Life Sciences Health & Society

Once we have sequenced genomes in the previous course, we would like to compare them to determine how species have evolved and what makes them different. In the first half of the course, we will compare two short biological sequences, such as genes (i.e., short sequences of DNA) or proteins. We will encounter a powerful algorithmic tool called dynamic programming that will help us determine the number of mutations that have separated the two genes/proteins.

Sep 14th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Genes DNA Genomes

Coursera

Princeton University

Analytic Combinatorics (Coursera)

CS: Theory Sci: Mathematics

Analytic Combinatorics teaches a calculus that enables precise quantitative predictions of large combinatorial structures. This course introduces the symbolic method to derive functional relations among ordinary, exponential, and multivariate generating functions, and methods in complex analysis for deriving accurate asymptotics from the GF equations. All the features of this course are available for free. It does not offer a certificate upon completion.

Sep 7th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Math Calculus Analytic Combinatorics

Coursera

Universidad de Palermo

Object-Oriented Programming with Java (Coursera)

CS: Programming

If you have basic knowledge of Java and want to delve into the world of object-oriented programming, this course is for you. In four weeks, you will start with the fundamental concepts of object orientation to advance towards more advanced concepts. You will immerse yourself in the world of object-oriented design.

Sep 14th 2026

4 Weeks

Programming Java Object-Oriented Programming

Coursera

University of Melbourne,The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Basic Modeling for Discrete Optimization (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering

Optimization is a common form of decision making, and is ubiquitous in our society. Its applications range from solving Sudoku puzzles to arranging seating in a wedding banquet. The same technology can schedule planes and their crews, coordinate the production of steel, and organize the transportation of iron ore from the mines to the ports. Good decisions in manpower and material resources management also allow corporations to improve profit by millions of dollars.

Sep 14th 2026

4 Weeks

Programming Software Discrete Optimization

Coursera

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Digital Signal Processing 1: Basic Concepts and Algorithms (Coursera)

Engineering

Digital Signal Processing is the branch of engineering that, in the space of just a few decades, has enabled unprecedented levels of interpersonal communication and of on-demand entertainment. By reworking the principles of electronics, telecommunication and computer science into a unifying paradigm, DSP is a the heart of the digital revolution that brought us CDs, DVDs, MP3 players, mobile phones and countless other devices.

Sep 14th 2026

4 Weeks

Algorithms Electrical Engineering Fourier Transform

Coursera

University of Toronto

Learn to Program: The Fundamentals (Coursera)

CS: Programming

Behind every mouse click and touch-screen tap, there is a computer program that makes things happen. This course introduces the fundamental building blocks of programming and teaches you how to write fun and useful programs using the Python language.

Sep 14th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Programming Python Semantics

Coursera

EIT Digital

System Validation (2): Model process behaviour (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering

System Validation is the field that studies the fundamentals of system communication and information processing. It is the next logical step in computer science and improving software development in general. It allows automated analysis based on behavioural models of a system to see if a system works correctly. We want to guarantee that the systems does exactly what it is supposed to do.

Sep 14th 2026

3 Weeks

Computer Science Software Development System Validation

Coursera

Scrimba

Learn JavaScript (Coursera)

CS: Programming Computer Science

This is perhaps the most interactive JavaScript course ever recorded. It contains 140+ coding challenges, meaning that you will finally build that ever-so-important JavaScript muscle memory. You will solve the challenges directly in the browser thanks to Scrimba's interactive video technology, so there's not setup needed. Say goodbye to "tutorial hell" and get ready to start feeling your JavaScript superpowers grow exponentially.

Sep 14th 2026

4 Weeks

Programming Javascript Web Development

Coursera

Illinois Tech

Introduction to Open Source Application Development (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering

This course introduces basic concepts of systems programming using a modern open source language. You will learn to apply basic programming concepts toward solving problems, writing pseudocode, working with and effectively using basic data types, abstract data types, control structures, code modularization and arrays. You will learn to detect errors, work with variables and loops, and discover how functions, methods, and operators work with different data types. You will also be introduced to the object paradigm including classes, inheritance, and polymorphism.

Sep 14th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Programming Python Object-Oriented Programming