MOMIT · on MIT OpenCourseWare
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python (6.0001)
Beginner 35 hours EnglishFREE
Our recommendation
MIT's real introductory programming course, free on OpenCourseWare. It teaches Python alongside genuine computer-science thinking — algorithms, recursion and object-oriented design. Rigorous and well taught, but with no certificate or graded feedback.
Skills you'll gain
PythonAlgorithmic thinkingRecursionObject-oriented programmingComputational problem solving
Is this course right for you?
A good fit if you…
You want Python taught with real CS foundations
You are happy to study independently
You value depth over a quick start
Consider something else if you…
You need a certificate
You want a short, applied Python tutorial
You want graded assignments and support
About this course
MIT 6.0001 is the entry-level computer science course at MIT, used to introduce Python programming and computational thinking to students with no prior experience. Ana Bell, Eric Grimson, and John Guttag cover Python fundamentals (variables, functions, loops, conditionals), algorithm design, recursion, data structures (lists, tuples, dictionaries), and object-oriented programming — all in 12 weeks at the pace MIT students take it.
What you'll learn
Write Python programs using core language features and data structures
Apply algorithmic thinking to break problems into computational steps
Understand and implement recursion
Design and use object-oriented programs in Python
Reason about algorithm efficiency at a conceptual level
This course includes
35h
On-demand video
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language
What it costs
Completely free through MIT OpenCourseWare — lectures, assignments and readings. There is no certificate.
Comparison · LBS
Compare alternatives for Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python (6.0001)
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Prices & availability can change — confirm on the provider's site. We're not affiliated with any single provider.
Instructor
AB
Ana Bell / Eric Grimson / John Guttag
MIT OpenCourseWare instructor
3.5M+ learners8 courses4.8 instructor rating
Taught by Ana Bell, Eric Grimson, and John Guttag — MIT EECS faculty who authored the textbook 'Introduction to Computation and Programming Using Python' that accompanies this course.
About this provider
MO
MIT OpenCourseWare
MIT OpenCourseWare — free, openly licensed course materials from MIT's actual courses, including lecture notes, problem sets, and exams. No certificate.
Frequently asked questions
The content is essentially the same. 6.0001 on OpenCourseWare is free with no certificate; 6.00.1x on edX is the same course with graded assignments and an optional paid certificate.
6.0001 focuses on Python and core computer science; CS50 covers several languages more broadly. Choose depth in Python or breadth.
Not on OpenCourseWare. For a certificate, take the edX version (6.00.1x) instead.
Yes on OpenCourseWare — all lectures and assignments are open.
It teaches core Python and the thinking behind it. You will still want to practise on your own projects.
It is real MIT material, so it is rigorous, but it is aimed at beginners.