Front-End Web Developer

This course introduces the BCIT resources and systems used in the program, including the lab environment, policies, and file storage/retrieval. Students will learn the basics of front-end web development, code management, and the tools of web design. Course topics and activities include a review of the web in general, how it works from the internet layer to the application layer, and how to create basic multi-page websites. Students will register a domain name, secure their own commercial web space and learn to operate basic web services including content transfer and admin features. Students will also review the latest versions of Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) and CSS (Cascading Styles Sheets). Learning will focus on web standards as outlined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), hand coding HTML, and use of CSS to control overall hierarchy structure, functionality, layout, and appearance of websites while creating modern, standards-compliant, semantic and accessible markup for a website. Evaluation will include assignments.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course covers the theory and best practices of web design fundamentals. Topics include screen-design principles; web layout and design; digital colour theory; typography fundamentals; image and web graphics sourcing, handling and copyright. Students will learn the best practices in creating designs for responsive web sites that adapt to different screen sizes using the fundamental design and usability principles for layout, such as visual hierarchy, colours, fonts, readability, proportions, alignments, and white space. In this class, students will explore in detail the differences between raster and vector graphics and basic techniques suitable for digital image creation, manipulation, and management. Students will develop practical skills will be developed in how to colour correct, resize, and resample images as well as how to use transparency settings and automate the resizing and saving of large numbers of images for the web. Evaluation will include lab assignments.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

User Experience (UX) plays a critical role in the success of products and services. This course will focus on the theory of website UX planning, the design process, and the integration of UX into the web design and development process. Students will learn the fundamentals of defining requirements, creating information architecture, and evaluating solutions using usability testing techniques. This course will use a combination of lectures, in-class discussions, hands-on exercises, group work, and tool demonstrations. Evaluation will include a combination of group and individual assignments.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

Modern websites and applications demand dynamically and constantly updated content and interactive user interfaces. This course introduces the JavaScript programming language as well as foundational programming concepts to provide the services and features that industry demands. Students will be introduced to general computer programming concepts such as variables, conditional statements, loops, functions, objects and classes. By applying these basic programming concepts students will explore the development of interactive web experiences such as slide shows, animated navigation systems, tabs, accordions, lightboxes, and other common web widgets. Manipulating and traversing an HTML document with JavaScript using the browser's DOM API and by utilizing using modern JavaScript libraries will also be discussed.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course explores advanced mobile-first responsive layout techniques and team-based web development process techniques. Students will develop an understanding of web development processes as part of a team of developers and project stake holders and will review modern CSS which provides a multitude of tools for creating advanced mobile-first responsive layouts. Practical applications will be demonstrated and reviewed including creating animated user interfaces using standards compliant HTML and CSS. Sharing and version controlling code, automating tasks using task runners and improving CSS development using the latest CSS pre-processors will be discussed and practiced. The web development process will include publishing a finished website for public consumption as a major step. Evaluation will include lab assignments and projects.
Prerequisite(s):

• FWDP 1000

Web design is, at its essence, creating information user experiences to communicate a message to an online audience. This course focuses on a critical step for designers and developers when they make decisions related to creating and developing a website: considering the people who use the website. In preparation for the Web Portfolio and the Capstone Project courses, students will integrate the learned web design and user experience (UX) fundamentals from previous courses to develop the mindset of considering the end user in the web design process. Evaluation will include team and individual assignments.
Prerequisite(s):

• FWDP 1100

This course is an overview of common project management concepts which will be applied to the collaborative projects in the later courses. The course includes the basic concepts of web project management, teamwork, and an introduction to popular project management software applications used in the web development field. Students will apply their knowledge and skills as well as appropriate tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements in later courses. Students will engage in project planning, identify project stakeholders, define the roles and responsibilities of the team, define project scope, devise risk and quality plans, map out schedules, and learn about time tracking and documentation. Evaluation will include in-class assignments.
Prerequisite(s):

• FWDP 1000

This course shifts the focus from client-side to server-side programming utilizing PHP and MySQL. An introduction to PHP fundamentals and the role it plays in generating dynamic websites will be covered. Students will review the differences between client-side scripting and server-side scripting and learn how to recognize where scripting solutions are necessary or useful. Students will also use basic scripting techniques, write and use functions, perform HTML form validation and process, and use regular expressions for string pattern matching. In addition, students will learn to manage cookies and session handling, construct basic SQL statements, use and manipulate databases, store and retrieve content, and work with open source scripts. Evaluation will include in-class participation and assignments.
Prerequisite(s):

• FWDP 1000

The Web Scripting 3 course introduces students to JavaScript-based web application development. The course explores setting up and developing a web application using modern JavaScript build systems. Students will learn how to implement modern coding methodologies available in JavaScript such as modules and classes. Students will explore in detail application state management as well as routing, validating, and styling modules. Utilizing foundational JavaScript skills and modern JavaScript coding and build system techniques, students will explore developing and deploying practical interactive web modules and full-featured stand-alone web applications.
Prerequisite(s):

• FWDP 1000 and FWDP 1400

This course covers the fundamental features of dynamic websites and the creation of custom-coded websites built with a Content Management System (CMS). Students will learn the basics of dynamic websites, how they are used to create a CMS, and how to work with a CMS to build websites. Students will create, configure, and migrate websites built using a CMS. Once they understand the basic features, students will create custom code to extend functionality, edit and create templates, and build a basic web app or website on a CMS. To prepare them for their Capstone Project, students will also create a development plan for a mock client website. Evaluation will include lab assignments and projects.
Prerequisite(s):

• FWDP 2000 and FWDP 1400 and FWDP 2400

This course focuses on the multiple platforms and solutions that can be used to create and launch an online store. These include open source and Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms to provide a foundation for work with e-commerce solutions Course topics include all stages of the preparation, configuration, and setup of a secure online store. Students will determine the appropriate tools necessary to configure and securely operate an online store for various products and services. Learners will then review tool features, configure settings for product samples, price options, and manage shipping options. Students will also learn and use the relevant templating or theming languages and methods to customize the design, layout, and functionality of their online store and further customize functionality using extensions. Once the store is set up, students will use best practices to secure the store, connect payment gateways, and test the payment process to complete the entire e-commerce purchasing process. Evaluation will include assignments.
Prerequisite(s):

• FWDP 3600

The focus of this course is to plan a front-end web development-related career, and at the same time, prepare to showcase a body of digital work created in and outside the program. This includes personal and professional development designed to support career success. Students will research trends, employment, and entrepreneurship to create a career plan. They will also create a fully functional, publicly accessible, professional-level portfolio website based on after-program career goals and industry expectations. At the end of the course project, students will have a portfolio website that demonstrates their skills using HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, JavaScript frameworks, and optionally server-side programming and/or content management systems. Students will also develop their personal brand, create a competitive resume and cover letter and learn advanced interview skills. Evaluation will include the project and workshop participation.
Prerequisite(s):

• FWDP 1000 and FWDP 2200

​This course is the culmination of the knowledge and learning in the Front-End Web Development program and the practical application and development of skills gained in earlier courses. This course will introduce students to the professional practice of working on a small web development team to build a mid-sized custom dynamic website. Throughout the supervised project, students will use industry best practices to develop a website based on specific business and functional requirements. To manage their tasks and meet deadlines, students will work collaboratively using communication and management tools common in the industry. All teams will have scheduled meetings with the instructor to track their progress and will present tutorials to the class on topics they research during their projects. Evaluation will be based on the project. Evaluation will be based on the project.
Prerequisite(s):

• FWDP 2000 and FWDP 2200 and FWDP 2400 and FWDP 3600 and FWDP 3700