DaVinci Coders

This purpose of this course is twofold: to provide a strong foundation in software engineering, programming, and the C# language; and to work on all major aspects of developing video games using the Unity engine.

These two purposes are closely tied: a large part of video game development centers on programming and software development, and to be a game developer requires a high level of knowledge in a modern, object-oriented language like C#. Through this course, students will learn programming by working on games, and will learn to write code to run every part of their game, from physics to AI to game servers.

Rather than focusing narrowly on topics needed to make games, this course will teach you to be a programmer with a solid foundation. This course will allow you to be able to enter any programming field you'd like, from mobile apps to web servers.

Programming fundamentals for the next web includes a background in computer theory using Node.js. Students will learn programming as it’s taught in a traditional computer science curriculum with a JavaScript focus. At the end of twenty weeks, students will be programming code at a level of quality practiced by companies like Google and Amazon. Likewise, this class teaches students to continue learning JavaScript technologies on their own.

Next web includes a conceptual overview of API-based web apps that evolved in the 2000’s. Importantly, next web introduces machine learning and functional programming concepts as what will drive the next ten years of innovation.

This course is taught using immersive techniques. Learn using a variety of media, including online course notes, screen casts, online chat, and podcasts. You’ll additionally have access to both books written by the instructor, free with your tuition.

Web Development with Python provides students an intensive 20-week introduction to the Python programming language, SQL databases, and the Django web development framework.

Designed for problem solvers without any programming experience, it covers both front and back end development, and the many industry tools junior developers use on a daily basis. Students in this course have a unique opportunity to discover how all the pieces fit together.

As part of the course, each student will build their own database driven web application that they deploy to a cloud-based server. They will learn to automate the many aspects of a development cycle so they can focus on solving problems and writing code.

In addition to writing code, students will learn to communicate their programming ideas. Students are expected to write about the problems they encounter during the course, and the discoveries they make in solving them. They will be encouraged to research topics that interest them, and present these discoveries to their fellow classmates.

Students will also code in pairs and groups, a practice that produces higher quality code and deeper understanding of programming design.

Back-end web development with Ruby on Rails offers students an all-immersive course of study in dealing with the Ruby on Rails framework and associated technologies. The Rails framework will provide the opportunities needed to be better prepared for a career in software development, and the tools that industry professionals use to accomplish their task. Students will also develop and practice the communication and teamwork skills necessary to work in the tech industry.

Students will be expected to participate in pair-programming with other students in the class, frequently blog about their experience, as well as present their final projects based on the topics covered throughout the class. There will be online reading assignments, screencasts (as needed), in addition to daily knowledge Q&A sessions. At the end of class, students will have the opportunity to participate in instructor-led mock interviews to better articulate their new programming skills in a professional interview setting.

Students in this class should expect to spend 20-40 hours outside of class each week doing homework and practicing the skills taught during class. Each class is recorded for further review of the classroom content. This allows students to practice skills learned via repetition.