FSD-1 Full Stack Architecture
FSD-1 Full Stack Architecture
- Course description
- Course CodeFSD-1
- Level of Study5.2
- Program of StudyFull Stack Development with AI
- Credits17.5
- Study Plan CoordinatorMonde Sineke
This course introduces students to designing full stack applications that stay maintainable as they grow. Students learn architectural principles, patterns and models, including domain modelling, data architecture and event-driven design, and evaluate architectural decisions against requirements for security, scalability, performance and maintainability. They develop and extend component-based frontend applications integrated with APIs, with managed state and attention to accessibility and usability. Much of the work takes place in existing applications: students read and analyse codebases, identify technical debt, and plan how the system should be refactored and extended, using AI to support the analysis.
The course integrates architectural design with product engineering. Students translate business objectives into measurable outcomes, prioritise features by impact, cost and risk, and evaluate feasibility and build-versus-buy decisions. The course also places software development in a wider context, including its history and its role in the digitalisation of business and public services.
The candidate...
- has knowledge of architectural principles, patterns and models used to design maintainable and scalable full stack applications, including data architecture and event-driven design
- can assess their own designs in relation to requirements for security, scalability, performance and maintainability
- is familiar with the history and traditions of software development and its place in society, including its role in the digitalisation of business and public services
The candidate...
- can explain their architectural and technology choices, using architecture documentation and decision records
- can assess an existing software system, identify technical debt and architectural weaknesses, and determine how it should be refactored and extended
- can assess business and user requirements, evaluate technical feasibility and prioritise software features based on value, cost and risk
The candidate...
- can plan and carry out improvements to existing full stack applications, applying architectural principles to frontend components, API integration, state management, accessibility and usability
- can plan software and AI solutions based on the needs of selected users and stakeholders, and prioritise features by impact, cost and risk
- can build relations with business stakeholders by negotiating trade-offs and communicating technical recommendations
- can contribute to organisational development by evaluating the business value, cost and feasibility of software and AI solutions, including build-versus-buy decisions
Students use a combination of written content, videos and practical learning activities designed to help them achieve the course learning outcomes.
Industry Relevance
Course content, learning activities and tools reflect industry standards and are developed in collaboration with industry partners and experts from the field.
Practical Work
The course includes regular practical activities where students apply their knowledge and practise relevant skills.
Collaboration
Collaboration is facilitated through the LMS and Teams, and students are encouraged to work together for peer support and shared learning.
Guidance
Teachers are available for guidance at scheduled times. Students are encouraged to share work in progress and use feedback from teachers and fellow students to develop their work further.
This course has 1 coursework requirement, graded Approved / Not Approved.
| Form of assessment | Grading scale | Grouping | Duration of assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
Course Assignment | Pass / Fail | Individual | 2 Week(s) |