# How Long Does It Take to Complete the Open-Source CS Degree?

> Curious about the Open-Source CS degree duration? Discover the estimated 182 weeks or 3.5 years required for full-time completion. Plan your learning journey now.

- Repository: [Forrest Knight/open-source-cs](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs)
- Tags: tutorial
- Published: 2026-05-01

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**Completing the entire Open-Source Computer Science curriculum takes approximately 182 weeks of full-time study, which translates to roughly 3 years and 6 months.**

The [ForrestKnight/open-source-cs](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs) repository curates free university-level courses equivalent to a complete bachelor's degree in computer science. According to the [`README.md`](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/main/README.md) file, each course entry includes a duration in weeks, enabling learners to calculate the total time investment required to finish the entire program.

## Duration Breakdown by Subject Area

The 182-week total spans seven core competencies, from introductory programming to advanced theory. Below is the detailed breakdown as listed in the repository's master branch.

### Computer Science Basics (10 Weeks)

The curriculum begins with **Intro to Computer Science**, a 10-week foundational course that covers basic programming concepts and computational thinking ([source](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L9)).

### Programming (39 Weeks)

The programming sequence emphasizes Java and programming language theory across nine distinct courses:

- **Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software** – 4 weeks ([L15](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L15))
- **Java Programming: Arrays, Lists, and Structured Data** – 4 weeks ([L16](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L16))
- **Object Oriented Programming in Java** – 6 weeks ([L17](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L17))
- **Data Structures and Performance** – 6 weeks ([L18](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L18))
- **Java Programming: Principles of Software Design** – 4 weeks ([L19](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L19))
- **Java Programming: Build a Recommendation System** – 4 weeks ([L20](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L20))
- **Programming Languages, Part A** – 5 weeks ([L21](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L21))
- **Programming Languages, Part B** – 3 weeks ([L22](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L22))
- **Programming Languages, Part C** – 3 weeks ([L23](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L23))

### Mathematics (63 Weeks)

Mathematics requirements consume the largest time block, totaling over one year of study:

- **Calculus 1A: Differentiation** – 12 weeks ([L29](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L29))
- **Calculus 1B: Integration** – 15 weeks ([L30](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L30))
- **Calculus 1C: Coordinate Systems & Infinite Series** – 8 weeks ([L31](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L31))
- **Linear Algebra – Foundations to Frontiers** – 15 weeks ([L32](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L32))
- **Introduction to Probability and Data** – 5 weeks ([L33](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L33))
- **Intro to Statistics** – 8 weeks ([L34](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L34))

### Computer Systems (12 Weeks)

Systems courses focus on hardware implementation:

- **Build a Modern Computer: From Nand to Tetris** – 6 weeks ([L41](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L41))
- **Build a Modern Computer: From Nand to Tetris II** – 6 weeks ([L42](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L42))

### Theory (22 Weeks)

Algorithmic theory and computational models require:

- **Computer Science: Algorithms, Theory, and Machines** – 10 weeks ([L50](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L50))
- **Algorithms, Part I** – 6 weeks ([L51](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L51))
- **Algorithms, Part II** – 6 weeks ([L52](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L52))

### Applications (31 Weeks)

Practical implementation courses include:

- **Software Engineering: Introduction** – 6 weeks ([L59](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L59))
- **Machine Learning** – 11 weeks ([L60](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L60))
- **Database Management Essentials** – 7 weeks ([L61](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L61))
- **Cryptography I** – 7 weeks ([L62](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L62))

### Unix Tools (5 Weeks)

Command-line proficiency requirements:

- **Linux Command Line Basics** – 1 week ([L68](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L68))
- **The Unix Workbench** – 4 weeks ([L69](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/master/README.md#L69))

## Calculating Completion Time Programmatically

You can verify the total duration using the course data from [`README.md`](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/main/README.md). The following Python script sums the weeks and converts them to years:

```python
courses = [
    10,  # Intro to Computer Science

    4, 4, 6, 6, 4, 4,  # Java sequence

    5, 3, 3,  # Programming Languages A, B, C

    12, 15, 8, 15, 5, 8,  # Math

    6, 6,  # Systems

    10, 6, 6,  # Theory

    6, 11, 7, 7,  # Applications

    1, 4,  # Unix

]

total_weeks = sum(courses)
years, remaining_weeks = divmod(total_weeks, 52)

print(f"Total duration: {total_weeks} weeks")
print(f"Equivalent to: {years} years and {remaining_weeks} weeks")

# Output: Total duration: 182 weeks

#         Equivalent to: 3 years and 26 weeks

```

## Variables Affecting Time to Completion

While **182 weeks** represents the estimated full-time commitment, individual completion times vary based on study intensity and prior knowledge.

- **Full-time vs. part-time**: Studying 20 hours weekly instead of 40 could double the timeline to approximately 7 years.
- **Prerequisite knowledge**: Students with prior calculus or programming experience can skip remedial work or accelerate through familiar material.
- **Course availability**: While the repository links to self-paced MOOCs, some platforms operate on fixed schedules that may delay progression.

## Summary

- The **Open-Source CS degree** requires **182 weeks** of structured learning according to the repository's [`README.md`](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/main/README.md).
- At a full-time pace of 52 weeks per year, completion takes approximately **3.5 years**.
- **Mathematics courses** constitute the largest time investment at 63 weeks (nearly 35% of the total curriculum).
- The curriculum includes 27 distinct courses across seven subject domains.
- Modifications to the master branch may adjust these figures as courses are added or removed.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How long does it take to finish the open-source CS degree part-time?

Part-time learners studying 10–20 hours weekly typically require 6 to 8 years to complete all 182 weeks of coursework. The mathematics sequence alone (63 weeks) takes approximately 15 months at a half-time pace.

### Is the 182-week estimate accurate for everyone?

The estimate reflects the sum of official course durations listed in [`README.md`](https://github.com/ForrestKnight/open-source-cs/blob/main/README.md), but actual completion varies by individual aptitude and prior experience. Some learners may require additional time for the 15-week **Calculus 1B** or 15-week **Linear Algebra** courses, while experienced programmers might complete the 39-week programming section faster than scheduled.

### What is the most time-consuming section of the open-source CS degree?

The **Mathematics** section requires 63 weeks, making it the longest component—longer than Programming (39 weeks) and Applications (31 weeks) combined. Specifically, **Calculus 1B: Integration** (15 weeks) and **Linear Algebra – Foundations to Frontiers** (15 weeks) are the single longest courses in the entire curriculum.

### Can I complete the open-source CS degree faster than 3.5 years?

Accelerated completion is possible if you have substantial prior knowledge or study more than full-time hours. However, the repository structure assumes sequential completion of prerequisites; you cannot compress the 11-week **Machine Learning** course or 6-week **Nand to Tetris** projects below their designed durations without sacrificing comprehension of the material.