Program Overview

Back-End Development Program

The Back-End Development program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the field of back-end development. This program focuses on the foundation of seamless digital experiences, handling data and functionality behind the scenes.

Program Overview

The program is offered online, with flexible course schedules to fit students' lives. Students can earn a Certificate of Professional Learning while growing their professional network or pursue a Diploma in Full-Stack Development. The program highlights API incorporation in web design and web development principles for functional back-end code.

Program Features

• Earn a Certificate of Professional Learning to enhance professional profiles and expertise
• Flexible online courses allow students to continue working full-time while attaining in-demand skills
• Learn from instructors currently working in the field of Back-End Development
• Grow networks as students learn alongside other aspiring Web Developers

What You'll Learn

• Critically analyze the future of full-stack development through the lens of AWS and Shopify
• Demonstrate how to run queries from a back-end database
• Develop expertise in JavaScript coding
• Demonstrate how a server interacts with a database
• Demonstrate how to use API software
• Identify the role and tasks of a back-end developer as part of the website development process
• Understand what an API is and how it is incorporated into website design
• Apply web development principles to build functioning back-end code

Program Schedule

The program is approximately 6-8 hours per week, per course, with a certificate completion time of around 8+ months. The schedule and fees are available, with open enrollment.

Who Should Take This Program

• Anyone interested in pursuing a career in Back-End Development
• Anyone with a background in graphic design, multimedia, communication, or web analytics seeking coding skills
• Anyone seeking personal and/or professional development in the principles and practices of back-end website development
• Professionals with an interest in e-commerce, servers, and databases

Career Opportunities

Earning a Certificate of Professional Learning in Back-End Development can lead to rewarding positions as:

• Back-End Web Developer
• Back-End Application Developer
• Back-End Engineer
• Technical Writer
• Back-End Architect

Academic Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, learners will:

• Demonstrate how a server interacts with a database
• Develop expertise in JavaScript coding
• Demonstrate how to use API software
• Critically analyze the future of full-stack development through the lens of AWS and Shopify
• Demonstrate how to run queries from a back-end database
• Identify the role and tasks of a back-end developer as part of the website development process
• Understand what an API is and how it is incorporated into website design
• Apply web development principles to build functioning back-end code

Certificate in Back-End Development

The Certificate in Back-End Development is earned by completing all three required courses. This program teaches students to:

• Demonstrate how a server interacts with a database
• Develop expertise in JavaScript coding
• Demonstrate how to use API software
• Critically analyze the future of full-stack development through the lens of AWS and Shopify
• Demonstrate how to run queries from a back-end database
• Identify the role and tasks of a back-end developer as part of the website development process
• Understand what an API is and how it is incorporated into website design
• Apply web development principles

Courses

• Back-End Development (BDV 101)
• Interactivity and Databases (BDV 102)
• Advanced JavaScript through Node.JS (BDV 103)

Admission Requirements

This program is open enrollment, with no formal application or admission procedure. To enroll in a course, students simply register online. The courses can be taken as part of a program or individually.

Requirements

• Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent
• Be a mature student as defined in the Undergraduate Calendar of McMaster University
• Be deemed an exceptional case

Language Requirements

If English is not the native language, students must meet McMaster University’s English proficiency requirements by either qualifying for an exemption or passing a McMaster-approved English test.

Registration

To register, visit the program page, select a course, and proceed with the registration steps. Payment must be made in full at the time of enrollment, with accepted payment methods including online credit card or debit payments.

Payment Options

• Payment must be made in full at the time of enrollment
• Online credit card or debit payments are preferred
• Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express
• Accepted debit cards: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard
• Google Pay is available for faster checkout
• Payments can be made from a Canadian Financial Institution and can take 2 to 4 business days to arrive in the McMaster student account. Once payment has arrived, students can register for their course.