Web Development: A Primer Course Syllabus

A practical and compact primer in web development—hands-on enough to launch a portfolio-worthy CV site and pave the way toward full-stack specializations. This course spans approximately 6 hours of interactive learning, divided into 9 modules covering foundational concepts in networks, front-end and back-end development, databases, frameworks, and version control. Each module blends concise theory with applied quizzes or mini-projects, culminating in a deployable online CV.

Module 1: Introduction

Estimated time: 0.25 hours

• Scope of web development
• Common roles in the field
• Course setup and tools overview
• Fundamentals quiz

Module 2: Networks

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Packet routing and transmission
• DNS resolution process
• HTTP basics and request/response cycle
• Interactive quiz: Follow a packet’s journey

Module 3: Databases

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• SQL vs NoSQL database types
• Connecting databases to web applications
• Web caching fundamentals and use cases

Module 4: The Front End

Estimated time: 1 hour

• HTML structure and semantics
• CSS styling patterns
• JavaScript for interactivity
• DOM manipulation and basic scripting

Module 5: The Back End

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Node.js basics
• Microservice architecture concepts
• Server–client separation principles

Module 6: Web Frameworks

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Overview of full-stack frameworks
• Front-end and back-end framework types
• Isomorphic frameworks and use-case matching

Module 7: Git & Version Control

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Git CLI basics
• Commits and branching
• GitHub hosting and collaboration workflows

Module 8: Software Engineering Principles

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Waterfall vs Agile methodologies
• Test-Driven Development (TDD) concepts
• Reuse-driven development practices

Module 9: Capstone: Build an Online CV

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Structure HTML/CSS for a CV page
• Add basic JavaScript interactivity
• Host the site using Git

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic computer operations
• No prior coding experience required
• Access to a modern web browser

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Explain how the internet and web protocols work
• Build and style static web pages with HTML and CSS
• Add interactivity using JavaScript and DOM manipulation
• Create a simple backend with Node.js
• Deploy a personal CV website using Git and GitHub