Over the past decade server-side software deployment models have rapidly changed, and the availability of development services has greatly increased. Thorough knowledge of IaaS and PaaS solutions is vital to software developers specializing in backend software development.

This minor addresses these topics in a hands-on manner and teaches you how to develop serverless solutions. It consists of various classes and workshops with topics ranging from obtaining hands on experience with Microsoft Azure, to cloud database models, REST API design and testing, Continuous Integration / Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) and DevOps.

A general overview of the scope of the concepts of cloud computing is provided by the Cloud Computing course. The API Design course teaches you how to properly design and document an API based on the RESTful paradigm using OpenAPI (Swagger). The API Testing course provides you insights in how to perform automated tests on an API, and how to integrate this into a CI/CD pipeline.

In addition, students will develop skillsets necessary to deploy, maintain and scale software in a containerized environment (Kubernetes).

Microservice architectural styles that structure an application as a collection of services will be implemented with modern programming languages (Go and Python). A course in Cloud Databases allows you to differentiate between various options at hand for storing information in a scalable manner. Hands on experience is provided by several Azure development workshops.

The core of the minor consists of a group project for an external client (not for profit), which provides you the opportunity to seeing your backend being applied in practice.

Subject titles and ECTS

•   3 EC Cloud Databases
•   3 EC Server Side Programming 1
•   3 EC Server Side Programming 2
•   2 EC Project Cloud API 1
•   2 EC Research Cloud 1
• 13 EC Project Cloud API 2
•   2 EC Microservices Architecture
•   2 EC Research Cloud 2

The student is able to:

• identify cloud deployment models and apply these models in a development process
• design an API using the RESTful paradigm
• model and document an API using OpenAPI (Swagger)
• differentiate between various cloud database models, and apply them to a software solution
• design and develop highly scalable serverless cloud solutions
• design, develop and deploy highly scalable cloud solutions
• cooperate with fellow students in software development activities
• effectively communicate with external clients (not for profit)

Audience: Bachelor ICT 3rd year with knowledge and experience in Object Orientated Programming Languages such as C# or Java.

Strategies and teaching activities

• Workshops by experts
• Do research with your project group
• Lectures on theory combined with practical exercises

Details of assessments

• Project assessment consisting of a specification review, code review and two presentations.
• Individual code assessment
• Individual programming assignments
• Written exam on cloud computing theory

All assessments must be completed with a sufficient grade

Contactpersons:

• Petra Folkertsma (Petra.Folkertsma@inholland.nl) 
• Frank Dersjant (frank.dersjant@inholland.nl)