Backend Development

Module focus

Explore how clients, servers and APIs exchange information.

Weekly topics

• Client-server model
• HTTP requests and responses
• JSON data
• API concepts

Module focus

Set up a backend workspace and manage source code changes.

Weekly topics

• Node.js installation
• Package managers
• Environment variables
• Git and GitHub

Module focus

Use JavaScript language fundamentals to model application behaviour.

Weekly topics

• Functions and scope
• Arrays and objects
• Error handling
• Modules

Module focus

Run JavaScript outside the browser and work with server-side utilities.

Weekly topics

• Node runtime
• File system basics
• NPM packages
• Asynchronous operations

Module focus

Create route handlers and middleware for an HTTP application.

Weekly topics

• Routes and controllers
• Middleware
• Request parameters
• Centralised error handling

Module focus

Design relational tables and query structured application data.

Weekly topics

• Tables and data types
• Primary and foreign keys
• Joins and aggregation
• Indexes and constraints

Module focus

Store and retrieve flexible document-shaped data.

Weekly topics

• Collections and documents
• CRUD operations
• Schema design
• Relational versus document models

Module focus

Control access to application resources and reduce common security risks.

Weekly topics

• Password hashing
• Sessions and tokens
• Role-based access
• Input validation and secrets

Module focus

Build predictable endpoints and verify their behaviour.

Weekly topics

• REST conventions
• Status codes
• Pagination and filtering
• Automated API tests

Module focus

Reduce repeated work and measure backend bottlenecks.

Weekly topics

• Caching concepts
• HTTP cache headers
• Database query review
• Rate limiting

Module focus

Prepare a backend service for repeatable release and operation.

Weekly topics

• Build and test pipeline
• Deployment environments
• Logs and monitoring
• Production configuration

Module focus

Deliver a documented backend service and prepare for technical interviews.

Weekly topics

• API project
• Test coverage and documentation
• Deployment walkthrough
• CV and interview practice