10 Best Embedded C Courses and Certifications Online

Embedded C is a programming language widely utilized in the field of embedded systems development. Its efficiency and low-level control make it an ideal choice for programming microcontrollers and other embedded devices. With the increasing demand for skilled embedded software developers, the availability of online courses has become an attractive option for individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge and expertise in this area. This article explores some of the best online courses available for learning Embedded C, considering factors such as content quality, delivery format, and flexibility.

Here’s a look at the Best Embedded C Courses and Certifications Online and what they have to offer for you!

10 Best Embedded C Courses and Certifications Online

1. Microcontroller Embedded C Programming: Absolute Beginners by FastBit Embedded Brain Academy, Kiran Nayak (Udemy) (Our Best Pick)

The Microcontroller Embedded C Programming: Absolute Beginners Course is a foundational program designed to provide students with an understanding of Embedded C programming using the STM32 Microcontroller. The course is offered by FastBit Embedded Brain Academy, and Kiran Nayak serves as the instructor.

The course is divided into several sections and covers a variety of topics essential to Embedded C programming. These topics include the introduction to the course, IDE installation, data types and variables, storage classes, functions, and analyzing Embedded C code. The course also covers data types to manipulate floating-point data, taking input from the user using scanf(), pointers, and the importance of .

Operators, decision making, bitwise operators, bitwise shift operators, and looping are also discussed in the course. Type qualifier ‘const’, pin-read, optimization, ‘volatile’ type qualifier, structures and bit fields, unions, usage of bit-fields in embedded code, keypad interfacing, arrays, and strings are also included in the course.

The course focuses on pre-processor directives in ‘C,’ and an embedded C coding exercise for LED is provided to help students practice what they have learned. By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of Embedded C programming using the STM32 Microcontroller.

2. Embedded Systems Bare-Metal Programming Ground Up™ (STM32) by Israel Gbati, BHM Engineering Academy (Udemy)

The Embedded Systems Bare-Metal Programming Ground Up (STM32) course teaches bare-metal firmware development for ARM-based microcontrollers without the use of libraries. The course is designed to provide a solid foundation in firmware development, navigating the microcontroller reference manual, and extracting the right information to build peripheral drivers and firmware. The course comes in different ARM Cortex-M development boards, and this version uses the STMicroelectronics STM32F4-NUCLEO. Students will learn how to analyze chip documentations, define peripheral addresses, and create registers from addresses. This course also covers developing bare-metal drivers for different peripherals, such as ADC, UART, SPI, I2C, RTC, GPIO, and more.

The course is designed to help students escape from copying and pasting code they don’t understand, using third-party libraries and header files, experiencing bugs they don’t understand, being afraid of technical documentation like the reference manual and datasheet of the chip, and imposter syndrome. Instead, students will learn how to build every single line of code from scratch by writing to the microcontroller’s memory space directly, use no third-party libraries or header files, understand and write every single line of code, use the debugger effectively to analyze and resolve any bugs, and develop proficiency in embedded development skills to confidently take the next steps.

The course includes deep lessons on developing peripheral drivers for different peripherals like ADC, UART, SPI, I2C, RTC, GPIO, and more. The course also includes an overview of the ARM programmer’s model, setting up option 2 for STM32CubeIDE, and closing remarks. The course is designed for people who hate copying and pasting code and want to learn how to locate every single register used and the meaning of every hexadecimal value written into the register. The course offers a money-back guarantee.

3. Crash Course on Embedded C Programming by Amit Rana (Udemy)

The “Crash Course on Embedded C Programming” is a targeted course for embedded systems learners who need a quick revision of C Coding concepts to better understand embedded systems. The course is designed to cover essential topics that are primarily used in embedded systems, and it is not a full C Programming course. The course’s curriculum can be reviewed before enrollment to ensure it meets the learner’s needs.

The course is hands-on driven and does not dwell on theory. Learners will create their first program within 30 minutes of joining the course. The course covers C Programming Introduction, variables, operators, input and output, conditional executions, loops, arrays, pointers, functions, and preprocessor directives. The course is suitable for those who want to start some C practice immediately.

The course is divided into four sections, starting with “Getting Started with C.” The second section covers “Conditional Executions and Loops.” The third section covers “Arrays in C,” while the fourth section covers “Pointers and Functions.” The course is a crash course and does not provide a complete C Programming knowledge but focuses on the essentials that are relevant to embedded systems.

The course instructors are Amit Rana, who are experienced in embedded systems and circuit programming. The course is ideal for learners who work on microcontrollers and circuit programming. Overall, the “Crash Course on Embedded C Programming” provides a quick revision of C Coding concepts and relevant essential knowledge for embedded systems.

4. Basics of Embedded C Programming for Beginners by Smart Logic Academy (Udemy)

The Basics of Embedded C Programming for Beginners course is offered by Smart Logic Academy. The course aims to teach beginners the basics of embedded C programming, which is a standard language used to program microcontrollers. The course is designed for individuals who have no prior experience with C programming. It is ideal for electronic hobbyists and students who want to learn the C programming language in an embedded environment.

The course features several lectures that cover topics such as the architecture of 8051 microcontrollers, steps to burn/embed a program in the microcontroller, and programming in KEIL IDE software. Additionally, there is a lecture that explains the differences between microprocessors and microcontrollers.

The course is regularly updated, and the latest update as of December 23, 2018, includes new lectures on microcontrollers and their architecture. The update also includes a new article and lecture on Proteus Simulation software installation.

The course has several features, including the fact that no programming experience is necessary, and students can download sample programs. The course provides a step-by-step process to burn/embed a program in the microcontroller using embedded C programming tool.

The course content is divided into several sections, including Introduction, Basics of Embedded C, Bitwise operations in Embedded C, Microcontroller Programming, and FLASH MAGIC for programming flash-based microcontrollers. Overall, the course aims to teach beginners the fundamentals of embedded C programming in a structured and comprehensive manner.

5. Complete ARM Cortex-M Bare-Metal Programming (TM4C123) by Israel Gbati, BHM Engineering Academy (Udemy)

The “Complete ARM Cortex-M Bare-Metal Programming (TM4C123)” course, instructed by Israel Gbati of BHM Engineering Academy, aims to equip students with practical skills and a strong foundation in Cortex-M and embedded-C programming. With a focus on key areas such as pointers, structures, memory navigation, and the Cortex-M Software Interface Standard, this course takes a practical approach and assumes no prior knowledge in these areas. The course includes sections on ARM architecture, ARM Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), building professional embedded firmware, and assembly peripheral programming.

The course aims to teach students how to navigate the microcontroller reference manual and datasheet to extract the right information to build peripheral drivers and firmware professionally. No libraries are used in this course, purely ARM Assembly Language and bare-metal embedded C. By the end of this section, students should be able to configure microcontroller peripherals like ADC, UART, GPIO, TIMER, etc. in assembly and master the ARM cortex-M internals and debugging.

The course curriculum consists of 22 sections covering topics such as the ARM Programmer’s Model, the Cortex-M Architecture, managing data with structures in embedded C, interfacing with Liquid Crystal Displays, Interrupts Programming, and more. The course also includes sections on setting up the development environment and toolchains.

The course comes with a full money-back guarantee for 30 days, and students are encouraged to sign up and start toggling some register bits.

6. 8051 Microcontroller – Embedded C and Assembly Language by Smart Logic Academy (Udemy)

The “8051 Microcontroller – Embedded C and Assembly Language” course offered by Smart Logic Academy takes a hands-on approach to teach students about 8051 microcontroller programming. The course includes 25+ code examples and covers software such as KEIL IDE, PROTEUS, and FLASH Magic. Students will learn about the interfacing of various components, including LEDs, switches, and temperature sensors. The course also covers programming of I/O Ports, Timer, Counter, Serial Communication (UART), and Interrupts. The course includes two projects, the first being speed control of DC motor and LED dimming using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technique, and the second being wireless control of LEDs using a Smartphone. The course also includes MCQs for testing what students learned, as well as bonus lectures and interview questions and answers. The course provides extra learning material to help even an absolute beginner, including on number systems and binary logic. The course has received positive feedback from over 3555 students and offers certification of completion. The course is continually updated, with recent updates covering Analog to Digital Converter and stepper motor. The course is designed to be easy to understand, with practical step by step examples in both Embedded C and Assembly language. The course aims to make students future ready and able to quickly learn any complex microcontroller and microprocessor.

7. Beyond Arduino, Part 4: C for Embedded Applications by Eduardo Corpeño, Marissa Siliezar (Udemy)

The course titled “Beyond Arduino, Part 4: C for Embedded Applications” is aimed at individuals interested in learning how to write better code for embedded hardware or IoT projects. The course is instructed by Eduardo Corpeño and Marissa Siliezar. Participants will learn a variety of techniques to help them produce more efficient and professional embedded applications.

The course covers techniques such as proper handling of memory-attached hardware registers, performing bitwise manipulation of data, and handling interrupts on microcontroller development platforms. These techniques are often not covered in beginner platforms, like the Arduino, to maintain simplicity. Participants will also learn how to write code for basic microcontrollers that do not have a Floating Point Unit, utilizing limited resources efficiently.

By learning these techniques, participants can improve their embedded application design skills and approach projects like professionals. The course content includes an introduction, C programming language review, preprocessor and compiler tricks, bitwise manipulation, alternatives to traditional functions, and what to do when there’s no Floating Point Unit. The course concludes with a wrap-up.

8. Embedded C for Professionals- Automotive / Industrial by ChandraShekar K (Udemy)

The course titled “Embedded C for Professionals- Automotive/Industrial” is designed to teach participants how to develop industrial grade code for embedded systems using Embedded C language. The course will cover non-obvious topics of Embedded C language that are not typically covered by other courses on Embedded C Programming. By the end of the course, participants will have the confidence and knowledge to design and develop any embedded systems coding application.

The course is divided into several sections, starting with an introduction to Embedded Systems and Embedded C Programming. The course will cover topics related to MACROs, Variables, Datatypes, Array, Structure, Union Datatype, Code Portability, Data Types, Typedef, Modularity, Extern, Static, Storage Classes, Enumerated Data Type, and Pre-Processor Directives. Additionally, the course will cover the Const Keyword in C and Compiler Optimization.

The course is instructed by ChandraShekar K, who has expertise in Embedded Systems and Embedded C Programming. Participants will receive hands-on experience in developing code for embedded systems, which will enable them to develop industrial grade code.

9. Master C and Embedded C Programming- Learn as you go by Nerdy Electronics (Udemy)

The Master C and Embedded C Programming course by Nerdy Electronics aims to teach learners the essential skills needed for Embedded Systems. The course covers the C Programming Language, starting with an introduction to embedded systems and progressing towards topics like pointers, structures, and bit operations. The course takes a “Learn as you Go” approach that incorporates a mix of theory and practicals. Each section builds on the previous section, and live coding is the primary method of teaching.

The course covers a wide range of topics such as number systems, variables, data types, conditional execution, loops, functions, storage classes, pointers, arrays, structures, operators, header files, preprocessors, and packing and unpacking of data for transmission and storage. The course is regularly updated based on feedback from learners, with the update information added at the top of the course description.

The course is divided into several sections, starting with an introduction to embedded systems, an overview of C, and an explanation of why programming languages are necessary. The course then delves into topics like number systems, data storage in RAM, and the use of variables and data types. Later sections cover advanced topics like bit operations, structures, and preprocessor-conditional compilation.

The course uses live coding with an installed IDE to teach each topic, with practicals being the major part. The course follows a “Learn as you Go” approach, where each section builds on the previous one. The course is updated regularly, and the update information is added to the top of the course description.

Overall, the Master C and Embedded C Programming course by Nerdy Electronics is a comprehensive and easy-to-follow course that covers all the essential skills needed for Embedded Systems programming.

10. Develop Embedded Systems using Embedded C on AVR by Rahul Shrivastava (Udemy)

The “Develop Embedded Systems using Embedded C on AVR” course, taught by Rahul Shrivastava, offers 8.5 hours of video content, 8 quizzes with more than 70 questions, and 13 hands-on practicals. All codes, lecture material (PDF / PPTs), and wiring diagrams are available in the resources. The goal of this course is to demystify the internal working of microcontrollers and peripherals and teach register-level Embedded C programming to use inbuilt peripherals on the microcontroller to interface with sensors, actuators, and LCDs. The course covers topics such as Timers, PWM, ADC, and LCDs, and ends each section with a quiz to examine learning outcomes. This course aims to teach true register-level programming and avoid Arduino-style programming.

The course covers major topics such as Masking, Pull-up Register, Timers, Pulse Width Modulation, Liquid Crystal Display, Analog to Digital Converter, Temperature Monitoring System, and Speed Control of DC Motor. The aim of each topic is to introduce students to manipulating a particular bit in a port or MCU register without altering other bits, enabling and disabling pull-up resistors, and generating accurate delays using MCU timers. PWM with variable duty cycle, interfacing LCDs with MCU, and reading voltage across analog sensors such as a potentiometer are covered as well. Additionally, the course offers projects such as Temperature Monitoring System and Speed Control of DC Motor.

This course offers a complete guide for developing embedded systems using Embedded C on AVR microcontrollers. It uses register-level programming and teaches students to write their own libraries for peripherals, which allows them to gain a better understanding of the internal working of microcontrollers. The hands-on practicals and quizzes provide students with a chance to apply their knowledge and test their learning outcomes. All codes, lecture material, and wiring diagrams are provided in the resources.