Java for Absolute Beginners Course Syllabus

Overview: This course is designed for absolute beginners who want to learn Java from the ground up. With over 6 hours of content, you'll progress step-by-step through core programming concepts, hands-on coding, and finish with a practical mini-project. Each module combines live coding demos and clear explanations to build confidence quickly. Perfect for aspiring developers looking to enter enterprise, backend, or Android development.

Module 1: Getting Started & Environment Setup

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Installing Java JDK
• Configuring your IDE (Eclipse/IntelliJ)
• Writing and running your first Java program
• Compiling from command line vs. IDE

Module 2: Core Syntax & Control Flow

Estimated time: 1 hours

• Primitive data types and variables
• Operators and expressions
• if / else statements and switch
• for loops and while loops

Module 3: Methods & Basic API

Estimated time: 1 hours

• Defining methods and parameters
• Return types and method overloading
• Using the Math class and String methods
• Introduction to wrapper types

Module 4: Object-Oriented Programming

Estimated time: 1.5 hours

• Defining classes and fields
• Constructors and the this keyword
• Inheritance and method overriding
• Using super and implementing interfaces

Module 5: Collections Framework

Estimated time: 1 hours

• Working with ArrayList and HashSet
• Using HashMap for key-value storage
• Iterators and enhanced for loops
• Basics of generics

Module 6: Exception Handling & Debugging

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• try / catch / finally blocks
• Creating custom exceptions
• Best practices for error handling
• Using breakpoints and the debugger in your IDE

Module 7: File I/O & Streams

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Reading and writing text files with BufferedReader / BufferedWriter
• Using the Files utility class
• Handling binary data basics

Module 8: Mini-Project & Next Steps

Estimated time: 1 hours

• Building a simple CLI address book application
• Adding data persistence to the application
• Reviewing core concepts through project integration
• Next steps: JDBC, JavaFX, Spring Framework

Prerequisites

• Basic computer literacy
• Willingness to learn programming concepts
• No prior Java or coding experience required

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Set up a Java development environment confidently
• Write, compile, and debug Java programs
• Apply object-oriented programming principles in real code
• Use collections and handle file input/output
• Build a working command-line application with data persistence