Youngwoong Cho

The Cooper Union ‘23.
Seoul Robotics ML Research Intern.
Robotics, perception, and deep learning.

Full Stack Software Engineering for Beginners

Course Description

The Full Stack Software Engineering course is designed for individuals with little to no prior experience in software engineering who are eager to learn the skills necessary to become proficient in full stack development. Over the span of 10 weeks, this course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts, tools, and technologies required to build modern web applications.

Through a combination of hands-on projects, lectures, and interactive discussions, students will gain practical experience in both frontend and backend development. Starting from the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, students will gradually progress to building dynamic web applications using popular frameworks and libraries.

The curriculum covers essential topics such as server-client architecture, databases, version control, deployment strategies, performance optimization, and security best practices. By the end of the course, students will have developed a solid foundation in software engineering principles and will be able to design, develop, and deploy full stack applications.

Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction to software engineering and web development

Week 2: HTML and CSS fundamentals

Week 3: JavaScript basics and DOM manipulation

Week 4: Introduction to backend development with Node.js and Express.js

Week 5: Integrating frontend and backend using APIs

Week 6: Introduction to front-end frameworks

Week 7: Databases and SQL fundamentals

Week 8: Authentication and authorization in web applications

Week 9: Deployment strategies and performance optimization

Week 10: Introduction to DevOps and final project

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge of software engineering or web development is required for this course. However, students should have a basic understanding of computer literacy and be comfortable with using a computer and browsing the internet. Familiarity with any programming language would be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Course Benefits

Upon completion of the Full Stack Software Engineering course, students will achieve the following key learning outcomes:

  • Proficiency in Full Stack Development: Students will have the skills and knowledge necessary to develop full stack web applications. They will be proficient in frontend technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as backend technologies such as Node.js, Express.js, and databases. They will be able to integrate frontend and backend components to build dynamic and responsive applications.

  • Understanding of Web Development Concepts: Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of key web development concepts, including server-client architecture, APIs, and data management. They will learn how to effectively structure and organize their code, implement best practices, and follow industry standards for creating scalable and maintainable web applications.

  • Practical Experience in Application Deployment: Students will be able to deploy their applications to hosting platforms and understand the deployment process. They will learn about deployment strategies, version control, and continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. They will also gain knowledge of performance optimization techniques and security considerations when deploying web applications.

  • Problem-Solving and Debugging Skills: Throughout the course, students will develop strong problem-solving and debugging skills. They will learn how to approach and tackle software engineering challenges, identify and fix bugs, and effectively troubleshoot issues in both frontend and backend components. These skills are essential for software engineers in their daily work.

  • Collaboration and Version Control: Students will become familiar with collaborative software development practices. They will learn to use version control systems, particularly Git, to manage their codebase, work collaboratively with other developers, and efficiently track changes and merge code. They will also gain an understanding of working in teams and following best practices for collaborative software development.

The Full Stack Software Engineering course provides an excellent foundation for individuals aspiring to pursue a career in web development, software engineering, or related fields. Whether you aim to work in a tech company, build your own web applications, or continue your education in computer science, this course equips you with the essential skills and knowledge to embark on your software engineering journey.