Web Applications using JavaScript: Introduction



Overview

This course will provide an introduction to the essential elements of web development languages; HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript (JS). It will also explore the integration of databases via server-side scripting and query languages such as PHP and MySQL. The course will provide an introduction to Django which enables Python code to integrate with web pages (as an alternative to server-side scripting with PHP).  

Whilst there are courses dedicated to topics such as web design, database management and Python programming, this course attempts to introduce the essentials from these areas and integrate them together so students learn the breadth of languages and technologies required to create and deploy 'full-stack applications'.

Programme details

First live webinar:  22 April 2025, 7.30-8.30pm (UK time)

Week 1: Introduction to web application development and environment setup

Week 2: HTML

Week 3: CSS

Week 4: JS (basics)

Week 5: React (JS) and libraries for front-end development

Week 6: PHP + Server side setup (Node/Express.js)

Week 7: Relational databases (SQL, MySQL) vs NoSQL approaches

Week 8: RESTful APIs (AJAX, FetchAPI) and HTTP methods

Week 9: Full Stack Development and Deployment basics

Week 10: Python and Django + Assignment Workshop

Certification

Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points 

To earn credit (CATS points) for this course you will need to register for credit and pay an additional £30 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. If you do not register for credit when you enrol you have up until the course closes to enrolments to pay the £30 fee. Students who do not register for CATS points prior to the start of the course can apply retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed.

See more information on CATS point

Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework, but only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education, you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee. Students who register for CATS points will be posted a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

 

Digital credentials

All students who pass their final assignment, whether registered for credit or not, will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Please note that summative assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. 

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £310.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Nick Day

Dr Nicholas (Nick) Day is a Departmental Lecturer in Lifelong Learning for Data Science and Computing at OUDCE. He has taught at the department since 2016 on a range of programming, software engineering, artificial intelligence and data science courses. He completed his PhD in Computer Science Education (CSEd) in 2020 and now applies his pedagogical research to the development of courses and contributes to the department’s AI Steering Group. 

 

Furthermore, Nick is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Buckinghamshire New University’s (BNU) undergraduate Computing course. He has been a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) since 2015 and is now preparing an application for Senior Fellowship (SFHEA). Nick is a Member of British Computing Society (MBCS) and is an AdvanceHE certified External Examiner, presently reviewing Cardiff University’s postgraduate Computing degrees.

Course aims

  • To introduce the essential elements of front-end and back-end development tools utilising JavaScript libraries; then integrate these together to create responsive and cross-platform web applications.
  • To introduce scripting languages such as HTML, CSS and JS.
  • To introduce database and server-side scripting such as PHP and MySQL (and alternatives such as Django)
  • To integrate web languages, databases to develop "full stack" web applications.

Teaching methods

Learning takes place on a weekly schedule. At the start of each weekly unit, students are provided with learning materials on our online platform, including one hour of pre-recorded video, often supplemented by guided readings and educational resources. These learning materials prepare students for a one-hour live webinar with an expert tutor at the end of each weekly unit which they attend in small groups. Webinars are held on Microsoft Teams, and provide the opportunity for students to respond to discussion prompts and ask questions. The blend of weekly learning materials that can be worked through flexibly, together with a live meeting with a tutor and their peers, maximise learning and engagement through interaction in a friendly, supportive environment.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • have attempted exercises relating to each language being introduced;
  • understand how the parts of each language relate and can be used together to create web applications;
  • attempt to develop a full-stack web application that can be deployed on the Internet.

After attending this course, students will know:

  • the fundamental syntax of web programming languages, and database terminology;
  • how aspects of the each language or framework interact and relate to each other;
  • how to use all of these aspects together to develop web applications.

Assessment methods

One piece of coursework in two parts will be set. The assessment will enable students to demonstrate an understanding of the material discussed during each week of the course.

Please note that summative assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. 

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

Please use the 'Book now' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment Form (Word) or Enrolment Form (Pdf)

We will close to enrolments 7 days prior to the first live webinar to allow us to complete the course set up. We will email your joining instructions at that time (7 days before you first live webinar) so you can access the Canvas virtual learning environment (VLE) and watch your first pre-recorded video. Please check spam and junk folders during this period to ensure that these emails are received. 

Level and demands

This course does not require students to have previous experience of the languages mentioned, but some exposure to these languages ahead of the course will be an advantage. 

Before attending this course, prospective students will have:

  • basic digital literacy skills and have experience with using computers;
  • previous experience of programming, web development, of database application development will be advantageous but not essential;
  • basic understanding of mathematics, logic, and abstract reasoning skills may also be beneficial for solving unfamiliar computational problems.

The Department's short online courses are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class. FHEQ level 4 courses require approximately 10 hours study per week, therefore a total of about 100 study hours.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support