Web Development
Programs
Web Development Certificate
Full-time (Day): 2 terms | Part-time (Night): 4 terms
Get ready for your future in building next-generation rich media with the Web Development Certificate. Learn how to create dynamic, data-driven websites and Internet applications today’s users and companies are demanding. Working with the same tools the professionals use, you’ll develop content-rich websites that use databases and programming languages to display context-sensitive web content. This intensive program focuses on client side programming with HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and server side programming using PHP scripting and Structured Query Language (SQL) databases in deploying rich media sites using various Flash and open source content management toolsets.
Through a combination of hands-on exercises, lectures and projects, you’ll be introduced to real-world applications with emphasis on JavaScript, MySQL, XML, AJAX and object-oriented programming techniques on projects of increasing complexity. You’ll learn how to build rich Internet applications, manage social content for the Web and generate a portfolio demonstrating your new skills in web platform development, integration and deployment. Upon completion—and with a substantial résumé and the latest web development programming skills— you will have the knowledge and experience to enter the workforce with confidence.
WDV101 Introduction
to Web Development
to Web Development
In this module students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of the web and web development. Students start by building basic web pages using (X)HTML and are introduced to the benefits of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for formatting web pages.
WDV102 Advanced HTML and CSS Using a Web Server
Students explore the differences between local vs. remote development and deployment of web sites. Development skills learned will be applied to the two different environments. Various hosting services will be examined to increase the students’ knowledge of options.
WDV103 JavaScript Basics and the Document Object Model
Students explore the power of JavaScript for enhancing their web pages. JavaScript will initially be used for form validation and quickly expand to introductory topics for AJAX. The Document Object Library (DOM) will be examined as will cross-browser compatibility considerations.
WDV104 Project I
The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the HTML, CSS and JavaScript skills learned to this point. The class will be presented with 12 scenarios, intended to represent real projects that may come up upon completion of the program. In addition to completing the discovery, design and implementation of a website, students are also required to present the results in a professional manner – as though being presented to an actual client. After the presentation, students will then discuss the implementation considerations and technical challenges they had to overcome.
WDV201 Database Design with MySQL
In this module, students learn about relational database design concepts such as schema, tuples, primary keys, foreign keys and normalization. Students design and implement a relational database using the MySQL RDBMS (Relational Database Management System).
WDV202 PHP & MySQL: Fundamental and Intermediate Concepts
Students are shown the distinction between front-end and back-end web development. Back-end development requires technologies such as the PHP scripting language and a MySQL database. The focus of this module is on open source software – such as PHP and MySQL. Other back-end technologies (ASP.NET/Microsoft SQL Server, Java, ColdFusion) are surveyed, creating a complete description of the current state of web development technologies.
WDV203 PHP & MySQL: Advanced Concepts
In this module, students are introduced to advanced PHP and MySQL. Views, stored procedures, triggers and other database topics will be explored. Security considerations such as cross-site scripting and SQL Injection will be introduced.
WDV204 Project II: Databased-Driven Site
In this project students build a dynamic website with content that is database and/or XML-driven, enabling the site to be changed at any time. Students produce a design that works for varying amounts of content and provide the mechanism for the content to be updated by a non-technical person.
WDV205 Introduction to XML, XSL & XPATH
XML, XSL and XPATH are extremely powerful technologies used to structure and transform arbitrary data. The design of an XML document is as important as the design of a database to reduce redundancy and increase processing performance. These technologies sit as the basis of AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) and Web Services communication.
WDV206 Manipulating XML with XSL and XPATH
Students will expand on their knowledge of the XSL transformations and XPATH they have learned. With data from GPS devices, heart rate monitors, Facebook, RSS and many applications available as XML, XSL and XPATH can be used to translate the XML into web pages, text documents, PDFs, Word documents, etc.
WDV207 Basics of Mainstream Websites
In this module, students will be encouraged to explore mainstream websites (YouTube, Facebook, Google, Realtor.com) to determine what makes the sites successful. The results will be discussed and analyzed in class to determine what strengths must be considered in general web development. Additional focus will be given to changes depending on the vertical (community vs. search vs. commercial).
WDV301 Joomla! and Content Management
This module is an introduction to the idea of content management and includes an overview of the CM market space. Students will be shown different reasons for using CM sytems and how they fit into a company’s web development environment. One of the most popular open source content management systems – Joomla! – will be shown, which will be used to give students their own CM environment to work within.
WDV302 Creating a Content
Managed Site
Managed Site
Having been introduced to Joomla! and content management concepts, students will now build their first basic web site using Joomla! They will experience firsthand the varied problems CM systems are designed to solve and gain experience providing a well-rounded web environment. Editorial control, web socialization and a solution-oriented approach to deploying a CMS will be reviewed.
WDV303 Customizing Joomla!
Joomla! is extremely configurable and can use pieces of functionality (modules) contributed to the Joomla! community. Students learn how to incorporate new modules into their CM environment and also take an in-depth look at how to create their own templates for skinning sites they deploy.
WDV304 Web 2.0 and Socializing Your Site
This module explores the socialization of the Web and web content. Students combine earlier technologies and strategies, focusing not just on building websites, but on what it takes to build web communities.
WDV305 Project III: Building a Content Management System Community
This project involves building a complete web community using Joomla! as the foundation. Students are encouraged to create a brief project plan encompassing all aspects of the community. The plan incorporates elements of user interaction and user interface design as well as back-end database needs. Students create and discuss a detailed list of community modules and the technologies required to build each module with the instructor.
WDV401 Flex I
Flex is a popular open source framework for building rich internet applications that break the confining limitations of grid-based layouts by integrating impressive image effects, video, sound and sophisticated layouts. The first Flex module introduces the Flex framework and covers the basics of working with ActionScript and MXML.
WDV402 Flex II
The second Flex module is devoted to intermediate Flex features: transitions, states, filters, media integration, visual effects, database communications and complex data controls. Streaming video delivery and the relationship between Flash and Flex are also explored. Because these exciting features use ActionScript, the intermediate features of ActionScript 3 are the primary focus of this module.
WDV403 Object-Oriented Programming with ActionScript & PHP
It is impossible to create an elegant Flex, Flash or PHP application without understanding object-oriented programming. Object-oriented code makes web sites run fast. It is also easier to maintain. Developing web applications using object-oriented principles is a sign of a true web professional. Students learn what these principles are and how to apply them to web development using PHP and ActionScript.
WDV404 Project IV:
Working with Flex
Working with Flex
Students develop a project utilizing Flex skills acquired during previous modules, emphasizing the multimedia capabilities of Flex.
WDV405 Introduction to AJAX
In this module, students learn the basic techniques for creating web applications requiring heavy user interaction. AJAX has emerged as a powerful platform for building web applications with extensive client-side interactivity. Unlike older approaches, which require reloading an entire page with every postback, AJAX uses the JavaScript DOM, XMLHttpRequest object, XML and CSS to download and display only the content needing to change.
WDV406 Putting the X in AJAX
The X in AJAX stands for XML, and in this module, students focus on request objects and processing of complex XML data structures. Students will also be introduced to the issues around building AJAX sites, where search engine spidering, session management and browser differences must be considered.
WDV407 Web Services and Ecommerce
Many of today’s Internet giants allow programmatic interaction with their services. In this module, students learn the basics of incorporating web services into their applications to provide value-added functionality, including e-commerce options. Using AJAX techniques, this new functionality will be incorporated into students’ websites.
WDV408 Final Project
This project further develops Project I, II, III and IV, allowing students to consolidate all the techniques learned thus far into a community-driven website. Time will be allotted to incorporate AJAX techniques.
