This semester, we are going to explore many topics related to web development, including:
- CSS / CSS3
- [more] Image Optimization
- Writing for the Web
- Mobile Design / Responsive Design
- Bootstrap
- CSS Preprocessing
- JavaScript
- jQuery
- PHP & JavaScript
The Class
CSCI 1720 is conducted in Lecture/Lab format. We'll be meeting Wednesday nights from 7:00pm - 10:00pm in the Millennium Centre, Room 120.
The plan for our class is to pick up where CSCI 1210 left off. A major focus of the class is responsive design. Sites have to be effective on a large variety of different displays. As of 2016, more single-platform web users are accessing the web via mobile devices than laptops/desktops. Modern design has to take that into consideration.
Our focus is front-end development, and its three core technologies: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. By the end of the semester, you will have a good grasp of all three, but, more importantly, how to integrate all three into a useful, attractive, and dynamic site.
Class Website
Most of the course content will be provided by a website that is maintained by yours truly. The site includes downloads, videos, lecture notes, and other information. By now, you should already know that the URL for the class site is https://csci1720.net
Your lab and project work will be done using a server. Each of you will have an account on the server, which you will upload your files to when they're ready. (Don't worry! We'll cover all of that).
We'll be using two software tools, mostly, for our coursework: Notepad++ and FileZilla. Both of these tools are free and can be installed on your personal computers, if you like.
The thing about the website is this: we're learning about how to design and develop websites. What better way to do that than by using a website? I dunno...but I think it makes sense. At any rate, every week, the site will be updated with new content for you to use to better understand how sites are created and maintained.
You'll hear me preach this again and again: Websites are not static things. They must be designed with maintenance in mind; because they will [if they're going to be of ANY value] CHANGE over time! This is a thing...an important thing that you have to understand.
The Web is everywhere. And it isn't going away any time soon, if ever. We have to both understand its nature and embrace its virtues and vices in order to become effective practitioners in our trade.
CBAT Career Services
...And that brings me to another subject: The College of Business and Technology has an excellent resource for you guys: the College of Business and Technology Career Services, uh, service. Melinda Leprade will be your best friend, if you take advantage of her help. Some of the things she can help you with include resume preparation, interview preparation, and even lending professional clothing to folks who can't afford their own!
Don't ever forget: You're here to learn. But beyond that, you're here to gain knowlege and skills that you can ultimately use to pursue a career. College, in and of itself, is a means to an end. And that "end" is finding a career that you'll love. Believe me, you can make money doing most anything. But if you don't enjoy it, it'll ultimately turn into a drag.
One of the reasons I teach this class is that I love Web Design. To me, it's a lot of fun. When your "job" is fun for you, it isn't a "job," it's something you want to do; you look forward to doing every day; you want to excel at; and to continue doing for the rest of your life. I've been blessed with a number of jobs like that...and I want to impress upon you just how much fun (and work!) Web Design really is.
