Subject Name: Fundamentals of Front-End Development
Course Overview
The CS202 course, Fundamentals of Front-End Development, is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in web development. This course will guide you through the essential tools and techniques used by front-end developers to create modern, interactive, and responsive web applications. The primary focus will be on three key technologies: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with an introduction to web accessibility and responsive design. By the end of this course, students will have the skills to create fully functional websites that are compatible with different devices and accessible to a wide range of users.
Key Concepts Covered in the Course
Throughout the course, students will gain knowledge in the following areas:
HTML (HyperText Markup Language): This is the backbone of web pages. Students will learn how to structure content effectively using HTML tags, attributes, and elements. Topics covered will include text formatting, links, images, tables, forms, and semantic HTML.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): CSS is used to style and layout web pages. Students will learn how to apply styles to HTML elements, including color, typography, spacing, positioning, and layout techniques like Flexbox and Grid. They will also learn how to ensure a website is responsive to different screen sizes and devices.
JavaScript: JavaScript brings websites to life by adding interactivity. Students will learn the basics of JavaScript programming, including variables, data types, functions, loops, and conditional statements. They will also learn how to manipulate the DOM (Document Object Model) to interact with HTML elements dynamically.
Responsive Web Design: In today’s world, it is essential that websites look great on all devices, whether it's a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. Students will learn how to use CSS media queries to create responsive layouts that adjust to the user’s screen size.
Web Accessibility: Ensuring that websites are usable for all individuals, including those with disabilities, is a fundamental aspect of modern web development. Students will explore the principles of accessible web design, including the use of semantic HTML and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) to improve the user experience for people with disabilities.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Create structured web pages using HTML, ensuring content is organized semantically for improved accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO).
Style web pages using CSS, including advanced techniques like Flexbox and Grid, to create visually appealing layouts that adapt to different screen sizes and devices.
Write JavaScript code to create dynamic web pages, allowing users to interact with the website through forms, buttons, and other interactive elements.
Apply responsive design techniques to ensure that websites are mobile-friendly and look great on any device.
Understand and implement basic principles of web accessibility to make websites usable by all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
Use version control systems like Git to manage code changes and collaborate effectively with other developers in a team environment.
Course Prerequisites
This course is designed for beginners in web development. No prior programming experience is required. However, students should be familiar with basic computer operations and internet usage. A basic understanding of mathematics can be helpful, but it is not a requirement for this course. Students who are keen to learn front-end development and have a desire to create interactive websites are encouraged to enroll.
Course Structure and Duration
The CS202 course will span one semester and will consist of weekly lectures, hands-on coding assignments, and group projects. The course is divided into the following modules:
Module 1: Introduction to HTML and the Web Development Workflow
Module 2: Styling with CSS and Introduction to Responsive Design
Module 3: Introduction to JavaScript and Dynamic Web Pages
Module 4: Building Responsive Websites and Working with APIs
Module 5: Web Accessibility and Best Practices
Module 6: Final Project and Deployment
Assessment Methods
Assessment will be based on the following criteria:
Assignments: Weekly coding assignments that will help reinforce the concepts learned in class.
Group Project: A collaborative project where students will work in teams to create a fully functional website using the skills learned throughout the course.
Final Exam: A practical exam that will test students on their ability to create and style web pages and implement interactivity using JavaScript.
Resources and Tools
Students will have access to the following resources:
Online code editor: Students will use platforms like CodePen, JSFiddle, or Replit for coding exercises and projects.
Text editors: Recommended text editors for coding include Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, and Atom.
Learning Management System (LMS): Course materials, assignments, and announcements will be available through the university's LMS.
GitHub: Students will use GitHub for version control and to share their code with instructors and peers.