I took this course for fun a few years ago - it was fantastic! I modified the project a bit to match my own interests - instead of compiling to an executable, my compiler generated browser-friendly JavaScript code. I built a small web application that uses my compiler and allows you to run COOL code in your browser: http://nathanfriend.io/cooltojs/
I also did the course, in parallel to the "real" university course. Both had almost the same structure since they're both roughly based on the dragon book.
I can strongly recommend it - really great material!