Coding Bootcamp Curriculum

Overview

A hands-on introductory course on building real-world web applications with Python, Django, and modern development workflows. This 6-week curriculum follows a project-based approach where participants build one complete web app incrementally using modern tools and best practices.

Week 1: Python Basics & Project Planning

Topics Covered

  • Python Fundamentals: Variables, data types, control flow, functions
  • Basic OOP: Classes and objects
  • CLI-based app logic (build the logic behind the main project idea)
  • Planning the capstone project: Requirements, wireframes, and user flow

Resources

Week 2: Git, GitHub & Django Basics

Topics Covered

  • Git & GitHub workflows: commit, branches, pull requests
  • Setting up the Django project
  • Core concepts: Models, Views, Templates
  • HTML & CSS basics for templates
  • Adding interactivity with HTMX

Mini Project

  • Create the base version of the web app: models, homepage, user input with HTMX

Resources

Week 3: APIs & Dynamic Frontend

Topics Covered

  • RESTful APIs and HTTP methods
  • Django REST Framework basics
  • Creating read/write APIs for your app
  • Using HTMX or JavaScript to consume APIs on the frontend
  • Optional: FastAPI overview (demo only)

Mini Project

  • Build API endpoints and integrate them into your app frontend

Resources

Week 4: Testing & Team Collaboration

Topics Covered

  • Writing tests with unittest and pytest
  • Using pdb and logging for debugging
  • Introduction to CI/CD with GitHub Actions
  • Branch-based workflows, code review, PRs

Mini Project

  • Add tests for your models/views/APIs
  • Set up GitHub Actions to run your test suite

Resources

Week 5: Open Source, Docs & Community

Topics Covered

  • Writing effective README and documentation
  • Creating contribution guides for your app
  • Introduction to open source contribution

Mini Project

  • Submit your first pull request (to own or open-source repo)

Resources

Week 6: Dockerizating our App

Topics Covered

  • Introduction to Docker: Containers, images, and Dockerfile
  • Writing Dockerfile for your Django app
  • Using docker-compose for local development
  • Deployment options for Dockerized apps

Final Sprint

  • Polish and dockerize your application
  • Deploy the project (Render, DigitalOcean, etc.)

Resources

Curriculum Notes

  • Each week builds upon the last toward a single, cohesive project
  • Focus is on practical skills, best practices, and community building