IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate Course Syllabus

Overview: This IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate course on Coursera is designed for beginners and provides a comprehensive path to mastering full-stack cloud development. The program spans approximately 6 months with a flexible schedule, requiring about 10-12 hours per week. Learners will progress through structured modules covering front-end, back-end, databases, cloud computing, and DevOps, culminating in a hands-on capstone project. Each module combines theory and practical application, ensuring real-world readiness for in-demand tech roles.

Module 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing

Estimated time: 15 hours

• Foundations of cloud computing: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
• Benefits and challenges of cloud adoption
• Overview of cloud service providers: IBM Cloud, AWS, Azure
• Cloud security, compliance, and scalability principles

Module 2: Front-End Development

Estimated time: 35 hours

• HTML, CSS, and JavaScript fundamentals
• Building interactive user interfaces with React.js
• Responsive web design for multiple devices
• UI/UX best practices using modern front-end frameworks

Module 3: Back-End Development with Node.js & Express

Estimated time: 45 hours

• Building scalable back-end services with Node.js and Express.js
• Creating RESTful APIs for front-end integration
• Implementing authentication using JWT and OAuth
• Using middleware to enhance server functionality

Module 4: Databases & Storage

Estimated time: 25 hours

• Relational databases with PostgreSQL (SQL)
• NoSQL databases using MongoDB
• Designing and optimizing database schemas
• CRUD operations, indexing, and performance tuning

Module 5: Cloud Native Development & DevOps

Estimated time: 50 hours

• Containerization with Docker and orchestration with Kubernetes
• Deploying applications on IBM Cloud
• Implementing CI/CD pipelines for automated delivery
• Microservices architecture and infrastructure as code (IaC)

Module 6: Final Project

Estimated time: 60 hours

• Develop a full-stack cloud-based web application
• Deploy using IBM Cloud, Docker, and Kubernetes
• Showcase skills in development, security, and DevOps practices

Prerequisites

• No prior programming experience required
• Basic computer literacy
• Access to a modern web browser and internet connection

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Build responsive front-end applications using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React
• Develop secure and scalable back-end services with Node.js and Express
• Design and manage both SQL and NoSQL databases for cloud applications
• Deploy and manage applications on IBM Cloud using containers and Kubernetes
• Implement DevOps practices including CI/CD, microservices, and infrastructure as code