The Computer Software & Database Development program is an Ontario College Graduate Certificate that offers students the opportunity to study the most current trends in software development. This intensive, two-year program concludes with a work term for eligible students. Read more about the 7-1-7 delivery model.

Software development includes three tiers - user interface, business logic, and database. Full Stack Software Developers have experience in front-end web development that includes the user interface (UI) for browsers and mobile devices and back-end development that includes developing software containing the business logic that accesses databases. Simply, full stack developers have an understanding of the presentation tier, business logic tier, and data tier of software development.

Front-end languages and technologies include HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery, Bootstrap, React and others to develop user interfaces. Back-end development includes the business logic and database layers. The business logic uses server-side programming languages and frameworks such as Java, C# .NET, Python, Node.js and others. The database layer includes SQL and NoSQL database management systems (DBMS), such as Oracle, DB2, MySQL, and MongoDB. Additionally, DevOps tools such as Git, GItHub, Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), and Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines are essential to build and release high quality software in a time efficient manner.

Students demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing solutions to real world three-tier (client, server, and database) problems. Major term projects are assigned that span entire terms allowing students to actively engage in the evaluation, design, and implementation of real world software applications. As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communications skills.

The widespread use of computer technology in all industries, from manufacturing, transportation, construction, education, health and financial institutions means that full stack software developers are the key people shaping the solutions of today and tomorrow. Graduates use their problem solving and critical thinking skills to analyze business and industry requirements and design, develop and implement real life, database driven, enterprise web applications.