Software and Web Developer

This foundational course introduces students to core programming concepts through hands-on practice with a high-level language such as Python or JavaScript. Students explore variables, control flow, loops, functions, and data structures such as lists, dictionaries, and arrays. The course emphasizes algorithmic problem-solving, debugging techniques, and modular programming. As students progress, they build simple applications that demonstrate input/output, logic, and structured thinking. Expanded content includes exposure to code refactoring, introductory object-oriented programming (OOP), and best practices for clean and maintainable code. Real-world examples and coding challenges help reinforce logic-building and efficient syntax use.

Students gain a comprehensive overview of how the web works, including protocols (HTTP/HTTPS), DNS resolution, client-server interactions, and the request-response lifecycle. They explore how web browsers interpret HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and how web servers process requests and serve dynamic content. The course introduces hosting platforms, content delivery networks (CDNs), SSL certificates, and file versioning. Students configure simple servers and understand basic networking principles relevant to developers. Expanded coverage includes domain registration, cloud hosting environments, security basics (e.g., HTTPS, CORS), and how to monitor uptime and performance. Practical labs involve launching static web pages and troubleshooting browser rendering issues.

This course builds strong proficiency in using HTML5 for semantic content structure, CSS3 for layout and design, and vanilla JavaScript for interactivity. Students learn DOM manipulation, form validation, events, responsive design techniques, and media handling. Additional topics include CSS Flexbox, Grid, and animation effects. Expanded content includes accessibility principles (WCAG), SEO optimization, component-based design, and creating dynamic UIs without frameworks. Students work on modular front-end builds that adhere to W3C standards and simulate real-world webpage development scenarios.

Building on JavaScript foundations, this course introduces students to modern frameworks such as React, Vue, or Angular. Students learn the principles of component-based architecture, virtual DOM, lifecycle methods, state management, props, routing, and event handling in large-scale applications. Additional topics include asynchronous programming (Promises, async/await), API integration, and testing front-end components. Expanded content includes performance optimization, responsive state design (Redux or Context API), modular code splitting, and practical use of developer tools and package managers (e.g., npm, yarn). Students gain the ability to build complex and scalable applications using current industry frameworks.

Students explore server-side development using Node.js and Express, gaining hands-on experience with middleware, routing, session handling, and RESTful API development. On the database side, students use SQL to interact with relational databases, designing schemas, writing queries, performing joins, and maintaining data integrity. Expanded content covers data validation, ORM tools (e.g., Sequelize), CRUD operations, authentication with JWT, error handling, and secure API design. The course culminates in developing a full backend service connected to a dynamic front end, forming the basis for full stack integration.

This course introduces students to Git for version control and GitHub for collaborative development workflows. Students learn to track changes, create branches, merge code, resolve conflicts, and manage repositories. The course also introduces basic DevOps principles, such as continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), automation scripts, build pipelines, and testing environments. Expanded material includes working with Git commands via CLI, integrating Git into IDEs, managing pull requests and code reviews, and automating deployment with services like GitHub Actions or Jenkins. Students gain confidence working in collaborative, team-based environments with real world version control practices.

This course teaches the principles of mobile-first and responsive design, focusing on developing interfaces that adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes. Students use media queries, flexible grid systems, and mobile optimization techniques to ensure accessibility and usability. They learn to test across devices, browsers, and operating systems. Expanded content includes accessibility compliance (e.g., ARIA labels), touch interface considerations, performance optimization for low-bandwidth environments, and cross-platform CSS debugging. Labs emphasize transforming desktop websites into responsive designs and optimizing mobile experiences using developer tools.

Students explore traditional and modern software development methodologies, including Waterfall, Agile, Scrum, and Kanban. They learn about project phases: requirement analysis, planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. The course emphasizes team collaboration, sprint planning, storyboarding, retrospectives, and client feedback loops. Expanded topics include user stories, backlog grooming, velocity tracking, and roles such as Scrum Master and Product Owner. Students simulate Agile workflows using tools like Jira or Trello and participate in mock sprint planning sessions and peer demos to reinforce Agile values.

This course covers the fundamentals of creating user-centered interfaces and experiences. Students study layout, typography, color theory, spacing, consistency, and user flows. Wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing are introduced using tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch. Expanded content includes cognitive load, heuristics, information architecture, A/B testing, and accessibility standards. Students apply design thinking to identify user pain points and iterate on UI designs. Labs include building and testing interactive prototypes with feedback loops for continuous improvement.

In this capstone course, students work individually or in small teams to create a fully functional web application that includes both front-end and back-end components. They apply all previously learned skills to architect, develop, document, and deploy a real-world software product. Students conduct requirements gathering, design wireframes, implement APIs, integrate databases, and perform user testing. Expanded expectations include deploying to cloud platforms (e.g., Heroku, Netlify), setting up CI/CD pipelines, incorporating responsive and accessible design, managing source code with Git, and presenting the completed project. This course emphasizes team collaboration, technical problem-solving, and professional communication, preparing students for job readiness.