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Hamilton, ON L8P 4L8

Course Outline
Course Name: Advanced JavaScript through Node.JS
Course Code: BDV 103
Academic Credit Value: 3 units
Course Delivery Mode: Online Asynchronous
Hours of Study: 39 hours
Course Prerequisite(s): N/A
Course Anti-requisite(s): N/A
Instructor Name: Per Pettersson
Course Dates: Monday May 5th, 2025 – Sunday August 3rd, 2025

Students are advised to retain course outlines for future use to support applications for employment
or transfer of credits.

Required Course Materials

Provided Online.

Optional Course Materials

Supplemental readings and materials will be posted on the Avenue to Learn course site.

Course Description
Students will deepen their understanding of the JavaScript system and apply their knowledge through
developing the back-end of a website using Node.JS. During this course, students will learn to
develop their application programming interfaces (APIs), Lambda, and apply their knowledge by
developing foundational code that will allow users to take action on any website.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Start, deploy, and maintain a backend API project with changing requirements
2. Apply appropriate architectural and infrastructure patterns for their projects
3. Set up a thorough continuous integration and deployment system to support TDD,
infrastructure as code, and other practices that enable confident, safe, and easy iteration on a
system

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4. Adapt a legacy code base to changing requirements

5. Determine coupling within a system and work to keep it at appropriate levels
6. Work iteratively towards a design that solves identified problems alongside other stakeholders
7. Continuously refactor and adjust the design of a codebase to support changes and
maintenance

Course Evaluation
The final grade is calculated based on the following components:
• Assignment 1 (12.5%)
• Assignment 2 (12.5%)
• Assignment 3 (12.5%)
• Assignment 4 (12.5%)
• Assignment 5 (12.5%)
• Assignment 6 (12.5%)
• Assignment 7 (12.5%)
• Assignment 8 (12.5%)

Assignment Submission
Course assignments are submitted to the appropriate Avenue to Learn assignment submission folder
by a specified due date.

Late Coursework
Late assignments will be subject to a 2% per day late penalty (including weekends and holidays) for
up to seven (7) days. After this date, no assignments will be accepted, and a grade of zero (0) will be
applied. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the course instructor prior to the originally
scheduled due date to discuss procedures and accommodations. Extensions for coursework must be
approved by the instructor before the due date (see Academic Regulations below) and will be granted
for illness or emergencies only. Students may be asked to submit supporting documentation for an
extension request.
Note: Some assignments and learning activities cannot be submitted late and may result in a grade
of zero if not submitted on time. Consult with your instructor if you have questions.

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Policy and Procedures

Academic Regulations (Attendance, Coursework,
Tests/Exams)
In accordance with McMaster University’s General Academic Regulations, “it is imperative that
students make every effort to meet the originally scheduled course requirements, and it is a student’s
responsibility to write examinations as scheduled.” Therefore, all students are expected to attend and
complete the specific course requirements (i.e. attendance, assignments, and tests/exams) listed in
the course outline on or by the date specified. Students who need to arrange for coursework
accommodation as a result of medical, personal or family reasons must contact the course instructor
within 48 hours of the originally scheduled due date. It is the student’s responsibility to contact
McMaster Continuing Education (MCE) to discuss accommodations and procedures related to
deferred tests and/or examinations within 48 hours of the originally scheduled test/exam, as per
policy. Failure to contact the course instructor, in the case of missed coursework, or the Program
Associate/MCE, in the case of a missed test/examination, within the specified 48-hour window will
result in a grade of zero (0) on the coursework/exam, and no further consideration will be granted.
Note: Supporting documentation will be required but will not ensure approval of accommodation(s).

Academic Integrity
You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning process.
The academic credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity.
Academic dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned
academic credit or advantage. This behaviour can result in serious consequences, e.g. a grade of
zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: “Grade of F
assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.
It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the
various types of academic dishonesty, please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located on the
McMaster Academic Integrity page.
The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:
1. Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has been
obtained.
2. Improper collaboration in group work.
3. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

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Generative AI
If generative AI is permitted in a course, it will be indicated on course assignments. Any use of
generative AI must be referenced and cited following the assignment's citation instructions. Use of
generative AI outside assessment guidelines or without citation will constitute academic dishonesty. It
is the student's responsibility to be clear on the appropriate use of generative AI and the expectations
for citation and referencing and to do so appropriately.

Academic Accommodations
Academic Accommodations of Students with
Disabilities
Students with disabilities who require academic accommodation must contact Student Accessibility
Services (SAS) at 905-525-9140 ext. 28652 or [email protected] to make arrangements with a
Program Coordinator. For further information, consult McMaster University’s Academic
Accommodation of Students with Disabilities policy.

Academic Accommodation for Religious, Indigenous or

Spiritual Observances (RISO)
Students requiring academic accommodation based on religious, indigenous or spiritual observances
should follow the procedures set out in the RISO policy. Students will need to contact their instructors
as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements for classes, assignments, and other
coursework. It is the student’s responsibility to contact McMaster Continuing Education to discuss
accommodations related to examinations (If applicable).

Online Elements
Conduct Expectations
As a McMaster student, you have the right to experience and the responsibility to demonstrate
respectful and dignified interactions within all of our living, learning and working communities. These
expectations are described in the Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities (the “Code”). All students
share the responsibility of maintaining a positive environment for the academic and personal growth
of all McMaster community members, whether in-person or online.
It is essential that students be mindful of their interactions online, as the Code remains in effect in
virtual learning environments. The Code applies to any interactions that adversely affect, disrupt, or
interfere with reasonable participation in University activities. Student disruptions or behaviours that

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interfere with university functions on online platforms (e.g., use of Avenue to Learn or Zoom for
delivery) will be taken very seriously and investigated. Outcomes may include restriction or removal of
the involved students’ access to these platforms.

Copyright and Recording

Students are advised that all course content, including online learning modules, lectures, live virtual
sessions, performances, and any other material may include copyright-protected works. The
Copyright Act and copyright law protect every original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work,
including lectures by University instructors.
The recording of lectures, tutorials, or other methods of instruction may occur during a course.
Recording may be done by either the instructor for the purpose of authorized distribution or by a
student for the purpose of personal study. Students who wish to record sessions need to acquire
permission from the instructor. Students should be aware that their voices and/or images may be
recorded by others during the class. Please speak with the instructor if this is a concern for you.

Turnitin.com
This course may utilize an integrated detection service, Turnitin.com, to promote academic integrity
and deter plagiarism. Students are expected to submit their work directly within Avenue to Learn,
where it is checked against the internet, published works and Turnitin’s database for similar or
identical work. If Turnitin finds similar or identical work that has not been properly cited, a report is
sent to the instructor showing the student’s work and the original source. The instructor reviews what
Turnitin has found and then determines if they think there is a problem with the work. Please
visit McMaster University Academic Integrity Policy for more information about academic integrity.

Course Changes
The instructor reserves the right to modify elements of the course and will notify students accordingly.

Extreme Circumstances
The University reserves the right to change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme
circumstances (e.g., severe weather, labour disruptions, etc.). Changes will be communicated
through regular McMaster communication channels, such as McMaster Daily News, Avenue to Learn,
and/or McMaster email.

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Course Withdrawal Policy

Policies related to dropping a course and course withdrawals are posted to McMaster Continuing
Education’s website.

McMaster University Grading Scale

Grade Equivalent Grade Equivalent
Point Percentages
A+ 12 90-100
A 11 85-89
A- 10 80-84
B+ 9 77-79
B 8 73-76
B- 7 70-72
C+ 6 67-69
C 5 63-66
C- 4 60-62
D+ 3 57-59
D 2 53-56
D- 1 50-52
F 0 0-49

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Topical Outline
Assignments/Graded
Topic
Components
1 – Back-end Development Overview Assignment 1 (12.5%)
2 – Foundational Practices for Quality
Assignment 2 (12.5%)
Code
3 – Feedback Loops, Pipelines and
Assignment 3 (12.5%)
Static Analysis
4 – The Importance of Testing Assignment 4 (12.5%)
5 – Coupling, Cohesion and Domain
Modeling
6 – Handling the Outside World Assignment 5 (12.5%)
7 - Handling Scale Assignment 6 (12.5%)
8 – Separating Concerns Assignment 7 (12.5%)
9 – Deployment and Infrastructure as
Code
10 – A Look to the Future Assignment 8 (12.5%)

Course Schedule
A detailed course schedule will be uploaded to your online course site on Avenue to Learn.

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