Open Source Web Development and e-Commerce Certificate
one-of-a-kind Web Programming
Use Open Source Software - Programming made easy!
Completely new updated program for Jan 2008!
In this 11 Week Program you will learn how to implement and modify open source software to build dynamic web applications such as: Back-End: CMS (content management systems), DMS (document management systems), LMS (learning management systems), e-commerce shopping carts, security, user interaction, forums, blogs, wikis, hosting, search engines, SSL (secure socket layer), photo galleries, advertising, portals, calendars, statistics and chat rooms.
With the knowledge provided by this course, you will be able to construct nearly any type of web application.
Use existing modules and configurations of Open Source Software applications such as Drupal, Mambo, and Joomla.
This program complements the Web Design Certificate Program and completes the
Web Developer Diploma
VSBT Student Financial Aid now available
Open Source Web Development and e-commerce (OSD)
This program is taught from a programming perspective, using open source software. It is project-driven and is updated frequently to meet the demands of today's employers.
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A one-of-a-kind program taught by professionals in the industry
There is no better way to gain job-ready, industry standard skills than to learn from the people who design and develop open source software applications every day for hundreds of clients.
This Open Source Web Development and e-commerce Certificate is perfect for students to get up-to-date, job-ready skills from our professional development team, using pre-existing software and modules with some customization.
Our design and development team and school are located next door to each other, so you will be able to interact with our team of designers and developers while they are at work. You will gain valuable experience with access to a real development studio.
This is a 100% instructor led program, taught by our own web development team. Instructors are in the classroom with students at all times, either instructing or helping with assignments. Help can also be found from all members of the northStudio.com team, including interns, co-op students, faculty and other staff members throughout the buildings. It's a busy place, so there is always someone to help with whatever you are working on.
The course curriculum is continuous and each module flows perfectly into the next so that you understand the process and development techniques needed to build functional web sites for all types of clients, as we do every day.
Previous computer skills are required.
Students who have completed the Web Design Certificate have met all prerequisites.
We strongly encourage students to have a current understanding of basic web site technology, including but not necessarily all, of HTML, XHTML, CSS, browsers, and keyboarding. Students with demonstrated problem-solving skills will be more successful.
Each component of the course will be taught by an industry professional currently working in the industry. You will also have speakers from northStudio.com's design, programming, and Project Management Departments to gain real world understanding and to see real client projects.
- Gord Christmas
- Simon Vreeswijk
- Rene Hache


northStudio.com will make some current and past projects available to students to learn from real world solutions. View web sites for harpists, trampolines, whale watching, helicopters, computers, accommodation, elections, medicine, restaurants and more. Some course material will be taken from our team of senior and junior Programmers' experiences who are currently working at northStudio.com.
...students who would like to create and design web applications for personal or professional use in large organizations, design and development studios, or even to work on a freelance basis building applications, programming and maintaining Internet and Intranet web sites.
This Program is for you, if you:
- are currently running/starting your own business and would
like to create, manage or update your own dynamic web applications; - would like to start your own Web Design & Development Company;
- would like a job in the Web Site Development Industry;
- are looking to augment other career choices or your existing career;
- are interested in Open Source Web Development and e-commerce;
- want to create high end, dynamic, and interactive web site applications;
- want to create applications with Open Source Software such as Drupal;
- want to create on-line store fronts, content management systems, and database driven applications;
- have an interest in Internet Technologies;
- are interested in having fun, learning and playing on the internet (and supporting yourself at the same time).
Software: no software is needed
Books: Three books are required
The computers we make available to our students are all brand new within the last few months, and are loaded with all software and hardware needed throughout the Program.
Our computers are all brand new with 19’ Flat Panel monitors
- AMD 64 3200+
- 2G of Ram
- A8N-VM Mother Boards
- DVD Burner
- Floppy
- Wireless Internet
- 200G Hard drives
If you have your own laptop you can use our wireless connection.
- Introduction/synopsis
- Recommended books
- Setting your environment
- Setting up your browser(s)
- Setting up multiple version of IE
- Installing Drupal/Hosting requirements
- Basic CMS configuration
- Creating basic content
- Working with blocks
- Customizing Menus
- Introduction to PHP
- Variables & Conditionals
- Loops, switches & trinary conditions
- Function library
- Exploring XHTML elements
- CSS syntax
- CSS specificity/selectors
- CSS techniques: styling list
- CSS techniques: image replacement
- CSS Positioning & Layouts
- Explaining theme engine
- Exploring template variables
- Creating a basic content type with template
- Create a page/node specific template
- Creating a basic theme
- Styling the theme with CSS
- Taxonomy intro
- Finding & installing modules
- Content Types & CCK
- Constructing various content types
- Introduction to databases
- MySQL basics/phpMyAdmin
- Useful modules (FCK & IMCE)
- Useful Modules (Smartypants, update status, devel)
- Views Introduction
- Views
- Viewsfield/Inline View
- Node Queue
- php: Functions (arrays & objects)
- php: Creating Functions
- Theming Views
- News site project: Implementation
- News site project: CCKs & view
- News site project: Theming
- News site project: Theming override
- B&B site project: Implementation
- News site project: cck's & views
- B&B site project: Theming
- B&B site project: Theming overide and final touches
- eCommerce (Ubercart)
- SEO setup
- Browser
- Personal Projects
You will independently plan, and complete your own basic web application or e-business solution that meets or exceeds the needs of either your client or you personally. You will choose a web site that you would like to develop for yourself, a client, potential client, or friend. This project does not have to be just a pretend web application or e-business solution. We encourage all students to create a real-world application. Hosting will be provided by northStudio.com with an IP address for as long as you are a student. This includes an e-mail address and area to FTP or transfer files. The hosting account comes with all the extras including bulletin boards, guestbooks, password protected directories, email lists, error pages, scripts, chat rooms, SQL databases, PHP and more.
Upon completion of this Program you will be able to: develop dynamic, interactive web applications and e-business solutions for personal or professional use in large organizations, design studios, or even to work on a freelance basis designing, developing and maintaining Internet and Intranet web sites.
Including:
• Getting Comfortable with theming
• Better understanding of HTML elements
• Understanding drupal architecture
• Advanced CSS techniques and workflow
• Determining client needs
• Maintaining/updating your drupal site
• Fundamentals of PHP
• Fundamentals of MySQL
• XAMPP: setting up your own test server
• Going Live
• Cross-browser testing
• Module: finding, testing
• Creating your own module
• Setting site for SEO
• Working with a developer/designer
Upon successful completion of your web application you will be awarded a Open Source Web Development and e-commerce Certificate.
If you have previously completed the Web Design Certificate Program you will also be awarded a Web Developer Diploma.
There is a growing demand for web designers and developers today. Employers regularly call us to ask for potential graduates ready to develop or maintain web sites.
We are conveniently located across from the Saanich city hall, next door to HSBC Bank, Tim Horton's and Yoshi Sushi. Other amenities include:
- Boston Pizza
- Tim Horton’s
- Save On Foods
- Mother Computers
- Little Caesars
- Subway
- Walmart
- Fairways Market
Optional Internship Work Experience Program (IWEP)
The Internship Program (IWEP) complements the Web Design Program and solidifies the classroom experience while providing a large portfolio for student use.
You work along side us in a busy studio, interacting with clients and eventually designing and building web sites from start to finish. While refining your skills working independently and with our design team, you may build as many as 15 full web sites, depending on your aptitude, and may maintain as many as 200. Students will be encouraged to develop their own style and work methods, and will have plenty of time to use all the things they learned in the classroom. We have many students requesting internships. All VSBT students will be given priority in seat availability.




