FDU Web Developer Certification is a 90-hour course, offered over a period of twelve weeks. The Certificate is a 9.0 Continuing Education Unit certificate. The course is offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, or on Saturday schedules, and is also available as a web-based course for those who need the most flexible scheduling.

Classroom lectures and demonstrations are complemented by reading and experimentation. In order to maximize the material covered, students will be expected to reinforce classroom exercises by exploring and developing web pages at their home or office.

 Weeks 1-4: Web Pages

During these weeks the emphasis is on two software tools -- a simple text editor to create and modify XHTML, and a file transfer tool, WS-FTP, to upload HTML pages to the webserver.

• Use standards-compliant XHTML to place text and images on the page.
• Enhance the page contents with cascading style sheets (CSS).
• Understand how content and structure affect the search results for the page in Google and other search engines.
• Utilize code validation tools.
• Organize directory structures for efficiency of operation and of maintenance.
• Create page layouts that meet modern accessibility standards.
• Start a portfolio that proves the skills you are mastering.

Weeks 5-8: Web Sites

Certain website functionality, including security and database features, can only be implemented using server resources, the focus of the middle weeks of the course.

• Understand the features of web server software at your hosting service.
• Allow your website's visitors to enter information into a database by filling out forms at your website.
• Password-protect areas of your website where anonymous visitors are not allowed.
• Use frames, SSI, and style sheets to create many pages by coding one.
• Learn to choose and register a website identity that you can keep indefinitely.
• Take advantage of libraries of pre-written applications.
• Make databases available to web users.
• Install and offer a site-wide search capability.

Weeks 9-12: Web Features

With a problem-solving background from the first eight weeks, we move on to advanced pages with recurring features and a degree of interactivity.

• Use "brand name" websites as models for the design and features of the web pages you create.
• Enhance pages with "pop-ups" and "rollovers" and other common interactive features.
• Understand the limitations of each type of graphics on the world wide web.
• Prepare efficient and attractive navigation that moves visitors through your site.
• Incorporate animation, video and audio events in your pages.
• Use cookies to personalize the site for repeat visitors.
• Incorporate off-the-shelf software to add e-commerce, content management, and blogging capabilities.

Throughout all twelve weeks, two more topics are covered every hour of class, not just in a particular hour of class:

• Fundamentals of effective web design, a distillation of the characteristics that make your pages look attractive and understandable to visitors.
• The business of web development -- how web development serves its clients whether you are a small-business free-lancer or an employee and team-member.

Please note that the curriculum is always subject to change.