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FRONT-END WEB
DEVELOPMENT

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OVERVIEW
Start building responsive websites with HTML, CSS, and
JavaScript — a versatile skill set with powerful applications in
a variety of design, marketing, and other tech-adjacent roles.

General Assembly’s Front-End Web Development course

equips complete beginners with the cutting-edge tools they
need to build rich, interactive websites. Dive into essential
programming languages, then round out your skill set with
industry-relevant topics like responsive design, APIs, and
version control. You’ll apply what you’ve learned to build a
custom website from scratch.

Throughout the course, you’ll:

• Discover how the web works.
• Create the structure and style of a website using HTML and CSS.
• Apply interactivity to a site with JavaScript programming fundamentals.
• Host a website on a server.
• Learn the basic technical vocabulary to communicate with front-end web
developers and other technical stakeholders.
• Build a website from scratch.
Front-End Web Development: Overview

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WHAT TO EXPECT
Engage in hands-on, project-based learning that’s designed
to introduce you to the most important front-end web
development languages and functions.

As a student, you’ll:
• Explore new concepts and tools through expert-led lectures,
discussions, and code-alongs.
• Complete coding exercises to reinforce newly learned skills.
• Dive deeper into topics and techniques via programming labs.
• Receive individualized feedback and support from your
instructional team.
• Apply what you’ve learned to create a portfolio project: a dynamic,
responsive website.
Front-End Web Development: What To Expect

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PREREQUISITES
This is a beginner-friendly program with no prerequisites,
although some students may have coded previously.
First-time programmers will have access to pre-course
preparatory lessons and additional resources to boost their
confidence with key concepts.

Our Admissions team can discuss your background and

learning goals to advise if this course is a good fit for you.

THE FINAL PROJECT

Apply what you’ve learned throughout this Front-End Web
Development course to develop a dynamic website from
scratch, such as a design portfolio, data visualization, or
game. Using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you’ll combine
technical and design skills to create a responsive site that’s
compatible with modern browsers and devices.
Front-End Web Development: Prerequisites & The Final Project

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WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Pre-Work Welcome to Engage in online, self-paced learning that’s designed to
set you up for success starting day one.
Front-End Web
• Gain an introduction to web development.
Development • Get acquainted with key terminology and tools.

Unit 1 HTML/CSS Basics Get familiar with the fundamental building blocks of the
web, adding and styling content with HTML and CSS..
• Create HTML documents using common
element tags.
• Inspect webpages using the browser’s
developer tools.
• Describe the relationship between HTML, CSS, and
JavaScript in websites.
• Choose semantic HTML tags to define and orga-
nize content.
• Use CSS to apply style to webpages.
• Learn the basics of CSS syntax, including selectors
and style rules.
• Link to files from HTML using relative paths.
• Use margins and padding to create spacing be-
tween elements.
• Set the display property of elements to create page
layouts.

Unit 2 Responsive Design Take a developer’s approach to problem-solving,

coding responsive sites for mobile and the web.
• Use flexbox properties to create
responsive layouts.
• Apply normalizing CSS to avoid browser
default styling interference.
• Use CSS grid properties to define responsive
layouts.
• Compare and contrast flexbox and
Front-End Web Development: What You’ll Learn

grid properties.
• Define fractional and percentage-based
widths for elements.
• Define CSS rules to apply custom fonts to text.
• Use pseudo-selectors to create more specific
CSS rules.
• Define media-query breakpoints to apply separate
rules based on screen size.
• Use responsive measurements such as ems to
smoothly scale CSS rules to devices.
• Apply a mobile-first methodology to CSS and
website design.

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Unit 2 Responsive Design (Cont.) • Use the position property to create

responsive layouts.
• Define and choose between absolute,
relative, static, and fixed positioning.

Unit 3 Adding Interactivity Power dynamic websites, incorporating animations,

dropdowns, and more.
With JavaScript
• Distinguish between code and a program.
• Define basic variables and data types in JavaScript.
• Understand the role of functions in JavaScript.
• Describe the role of JavaScript in front-end
web development.
• Access properties of the DOM using JavaScript
object syntax.
• Use DOM methods to respond to user actions
with event listeners.
• Use JavaScript to trigger CSS animations.
• Design interactive user interfaces using
CSS properties.
• Plan application states to reflect user actions.
• Define conditional statements in JavaScript to cre-
ate logic-driven programs.
• Choose logical operators to enhance conditional
statements.
• Use arrays and loops in JavaScript to manage col-
lections of data.
• Invoke array methods to manipulate the
array’s contents.
• Distinguish between for loops and while loops.

Unit 4 Advanced Concepts Take your coding skill set to the next level, incorporating
functions from external libraries and tools.
• Use HTML forms to collect input from users.
• Evaluate APIs based on documentation.
• Make HTTP requests to external API
sources for data.
• Use CSS libraries, such as Bootstrap,
Front-End Web Development: What You’ll Learn

to leverage pre-styled components.

• Adapt CSS library components for specific
use cases.
• Evaluate CSS frameworks against
self-written CSS.
• Use GitHub for version control and code collabo-
ration.
• Execute commands from the command
prompt for increased control of file systems.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is this course relevant today?
Literacy in web development basics is in demand across a range of industries, including
design, marketing, and product development. According to a recent Burning Glass report,
“Our analysis of 26 million U.S. online job postings showed that jobs that required coding
skills not only paid more, but also were growing more rapidly than the job market itself.”
These opportunities aren’t limited to those with formal computer science training —
employers want skills, not degrees.
Master the technical vocabulary you need to communicate confidently with developers and
technical stakeholders, and start applying your new skill set on the job immediately.

What are the professional backgrounds of front-end web development students?

This course is popular among mid-career professionals in tech-adjacent roles who are looking
to gain new skills to grow in their current jobs. Common roles include UX and UI designers,
print and graphic designers, digital marketers, content producers, product managers and
product designers.
Ultimately, this program attracts a community of eager learners who are interested in
building technical literacy, communicating better with developers, and taking their practice to
the next level.

What does my tuition cover?

Here are just some of the benefits you can expect as a GA student:
• A robust introduction to building functional websites with HTML, CSS,
and JavaScript.
• The technical vocabulary needed to communicate confidently with technical teams.
• An introduction to programming with JavaScript (ES6) and version control with
Git/GitHub.
• 60 hours* of expert instruction from a professional developer, plus many more spent
Front-End Web Development: Frequently Asked Questions

tackling homework, honing projects, and getting technical support in office hours.
• Robust coursework, including expert-vetted lesson decks, project toolkits, and more.
Refresh and refine your knowledge throughout your professional journey as needed.
• A real-world project where you’ll build an interactive, responsive website
from scratch.
• Individual feedback and guidance from instructors and TAs. Stay motivated and make
the most of your experience with the help of GA’s dedicated team.
• Exclusive access to alumni discounts, networking events, and career workshops.
• A GA course certificate to showcase your new skill set on LinkedIn.
• Connections with a professional network of instructors and peers that lasts well
beyond the course. The global GA community can help you navigate and succeed in
the field.

* The duration of Toronto’s Front-End Web Development course is 39 hours.

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Will I earn a certificate?

Yes! Upon passing this course, you will receive a signed certificate of completion.
Thousands of GA alumni use their course certificate to demonstrate skills to employers and
their LinkedIn networks. GA’s Front-End Web Development course is well-regarded by many
top employers, who contribute to our curriculum and use our tech programs to train their own
teams.

Who teaches this course?

Our instructors represent the best and brightest web development professionals who
combine in-depth knowledge as practitioners with a passion for nurturing the next
generation of talent.
We work with a large pool of experienced instructors around the world. Please speak with
our Admissions team to find out who is teaching the upcoming course in your location.

Can I work full-time while enrolled in this course?

Yes! All of our short courses are designed for busy professionals with full-time work
commitments. Depending on your location, classes meet twice per week in the evenings, or
all day on Saturday. You may opt to take this course in-person at one of our 20+ campuses or
online via our Remote classroom setup.
You will be expected to spend time working on homework and projects outside of class hours
each week, but the workload is designed to be manageable with a full-time job.
If you need to miss a session or two, we offer resources to help you catch up. We recommend
you discuss any planned absences with your instructor.

Which format should I take this course in — on campus or online?

It’s up to you! Our Remote courses offer a learning experience that mirrors GA’s on-campus
offerings but allow you to learn from the comfort of home. If you don’t live near a GA campus,
have a busy travel schedule, or just want to save yourself the commute, a Remote course
could be a good option for you, if available in your market. You’ll still get access to the expert
instruction, learning resources, and support network that GA is known for.
If you prefer to learn alongside your peers and can make it to campus, our in-person courses
Front-End Web Development: Frequently Asked Questions

allow you to take advantage of our beautiful classrooms and workspaces.

Our Admissions team can advise you on the best format for your personal circumstances and
learning style.

What are my financing options?

We offer a variety of different financing options, including installment plans, so you can focus
on what counts — your education. Plus, more than 45% of our short course students receive
full or partial tuition reimbursement from their employers. Speak with our Admissions team to
learn more and find the best fit for you and your finances.

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What projects will I work on during the course?

For your capstone project, you’ll leverage HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to develop a dynamic
website from scratch. Combine technical and design skills to create a responsive website
that’s compatible with modern browsers and devices. We encourage you to tackle a coding
challenge that’s related to your work or a passion project you’ve been meaning to carve out
time for.
Throughout the course, you’ll also complete a number of smaller labs designed to reinforce
what you’ve learned in each unit.

How does this course relate to GA’s other web

development programs?
Front-End Web Development is GA’s most popular “starter course” for those who are curious
about careers in tech or want to work more effectively with technical stakeholders. Graduates
can go on to continue honing their skills in our JavaScript Development short course or
commit to a career-change with our Software Engineering Bootcamp program.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Have questions about our Front-End Web Development
Front-End Web Development: Frequently Asked Questions & Take the Next Step

course? Our Admissions team is here to help you determine

if this program is right for you and your goals. You can also:
• Attend an info session online or at your local campus.

• Explore your financing options.

• Apply to enroll in the course.