Northern Illinois University CPE Software Engineering Bootcamp

Learners without previous coding experience will begin in this introductory curriculum, which equips you with the essential skills to embark on your web development journey.

• Beginning with HTML, learn to structure web content and create a digital resume.

• Style your creations with CSS, adding visual appeal and responsiveness.

• JavaScript brings interactivity to your pages, and you'll apply these skills in a series of engaging exercises.

• Explore the evolution of the web: From its humble beginnings to the dynamic, interconnected ecosystem of today.

• Understand the underlying mechanics of the web: How data flows, servers communicate with clients, and the core principles driving modern web applications.

• Get acquainted with the MERN stack: Learn the basics of MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js and understand their roles in building full-stack web applications.

• Lay the foundation for future learning: Establish a solid understanding of web development concepts to prepare for the deeper dives into each MERN technology.

• Set up VS Code: Install, configure, and customize your code editor with extensions tailored for web development.

• Master the command line: Learn essential commands for navigating directories, installing packages, and executing scripts.

• Install MERN stack tools: Use the command line to prepare your environment for working with MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js.

• Get started with Git and GitHub: Understand the basics of version control, collaborate with others, and manage your projects effectively.

• Master intermediate JavaScript: Error handling, algorithms, data structures, asynchronous programming, modules, OOP, and ES6+.

• Interact with the web: Manipulate web page elements and handle user interactions.

• Communicate with backend systems: Work with APIs, understand REST and GraphQL.

• Structure your code: Learn the MVC design pattern.

• Prepare for your capstone: Begin conceptualizing and planning your web application.

• This module dives into the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, a blueprint for structuring modern web applications. Using the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js), you'll build each core MVC component:

  • View (React.js): Craft interactive user interfaces with essential React concepts like state management, forms, and routing.

  • Model (MongoDB): Master database interaction, from traditional relational databases to the flexible NoSQL power of MongoDB.

  • Controller (Node.js and Express.js): Create APIs, handle requests, and secure your application's communication.

  • Integration (Next.js): Seamlessly unite your frontend and backend, optimize performance, and leverage TypeScript.

  By the module's end, you'll have the skills to build full-fledged MERN stack applications and be ready to tackle your capstone project.

• Harness the power of AI prompt engineering: Craft effective prompts, guide language model outputs, and understand real-world applications.

• Build a robust portfolio: Complete five projects, including a capstone, showcasing your ability to build full-stack web applications.

• Demonstrate your expertise: Pass assessments that evaluate your knowledge and skills in various aspects of web development.

• Launch your career in tech: Graduate with a strong portfolio and the skills to succeed in the ever-evolving world of web development.

Software Engineering is the applied use of programming languages and engineering principles to create software products and applications for consumer use. Any website or application that you have interacted with in your life was developed by software engineers. They may also create more complex software, like a computer operating system, although this course is focused on the development of applications and websites.

Software engineers write and test the code that creates our digital world. An application may have thousands of files, and software engineers are responsible for creating those files and ensuring that they run correctly. They may also be responsible for the deployment of code to a server and for debugging, maintaining and upgrading live applications.

To become a software engineer you must learn how to code in an in-demand language. You also must have an eye-catching portfolio of work that will land you an interview, and an understanding of how the technologies you work with function. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a computer science degree to become a software engineer - you just need to be good at programming!

After this Software Engineering Bootcamp, you’ll be ready for a number of careers paths in the tech industry. You’ll be able qualified for jobs as a software engineer, full-stack developer, back-end developer, front-end developer or web developer - to name a few

Software engineering is challenging, but anyone can learn how to do it with grit and determination. Creating programs is not as complicated as it may seem, but debugging programs to ensure they work properly can be a very strenuous process. Even professional developers have challenges, software engineering is a lifelong journey.

Software engineering is one of the highest-paying professions in the world. Entry-level engineers often make salaries in the high 5 figure range, or even the low 6 figure range. Skilled engineers can command extremely high annual salaries, especially in areas like San Francisco or New York.

Software Engineering has never been in higher demand. The growth of technology is outpacing the number of qualified engineers, and it is only going to keep rising. Although getting your foot in the door will require a lot of legwork, job security is extremely high in this lucrative field.

It all depends on how much time you put in! Although there are many paths to becoming an engineer, this Software Engineering Bootcamp has a proven track record of upskilling students into quality jobs within 13 months of starting the course. It generally takes 9 months to complete the course, and then several months of job searching and interviewing to land a job.

Yes, NIU CPE has partnered with Springboard to offer online tech bootcamps. Springboard developed the curriculum in partnership with industry experts and hiring managers, and administers and leads the courses. This partnership allows students like you to build technical skills while earning a certificate of participation from NIU.