We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Software Construction

Object-Oriented Design

Gail Murphy and Elisa Baniassad

2.0

Based on 1 rating

, see reviews

Gail Murphy and Elisa Baniassad

This course, part of the Software Development MicroMasters program, will dig deep into the principles of object oriented design, and introduce new abstraction techniques and design patterns. You will use these techniques to build an application that makes use of popular online services and APIs – the most complex software design project so far.

By the end of the course, you will have a solid foundation in Java and Object-Oriented Design, as well as many software development concepts that can be applied to any language.

Learners who enroll in the Verified track will receive staff grading for the course project and increased interaction with the instructors and staff.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to read and use software design patterns
To implement and test an object-oriented design

How to develop an application using online services and apis

How to read and use software design patterns
To implement and test an object-oriented design
How to develop an application using online services and apis

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops proficiency with Java and Object-Oriented Design, which are fundamental to many technical industries

Teaches how to build applications that make use of popular online services and APIs, which is highly relevant for modern software development

Provides students with an opportunity to work on a complex software design project, which is valuable experience for learners who want to work in the field

Learners who enroll in the Verified track will receive staff grading for the course project and increased interaction with the instructors and staff

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Software construction: object-oriented design

According to learners, this course provides a positive and strong foundation in object-oriented design principles and common design patterns. Many highlight the programming assignments and the final project, involving building an app with APIs, as incredibly valuable and crucial for reinforcement, despite being challenging and a significant undertaking. However, students also note a potential warning: the course, particularly the project, requires significant prior programming experience and is definitely not for beginners. Some found the leap from theoretical lectures to practical implementation challenging, needing external research. Overall, while demanding, it's seen as a valuable gem for those looking to deepen their OOD skills.

The final project is substantial and challenging.

"the final project building the app with APIs, were challenging but incredibly valuable for applying the concepts learned..."

"The project is the real highlight - it's a significant undertaking and forces you to use what you learned."

"the project felt overwhelming at times, and the leap from lecture material to project implementation wasn't always smooth. Needed to do a lot of external research."

"The major project is challenging but rewarding. Be prepared for a significant time commitment on the project."

Forum and staff provide useful assistance.

"The forum was active with helpful TAs."

"The graded project feedback in the verified track was insightful."

"Needed a lot of forum help."

Provides a strong grasp of OO design and patterns.

"This course provided a really strong foundation in object-oriented design principles and common design patterns."

"Excellent course! It solidified my understanding of SOLID principles and introduced me to several design patterns I hadn't used before."

"This course is a gem for learning OOD and design patterns. The way the concepts build upon each other is logical..."

Connecting theory to practical application is hard.

"the leap from lecture material to project implementation wasn't always smooth. Needed to do a lot of external research."

"Some pattern explanations were overly academic without enough practical coding examples."

"Felt like I was constantly struggling to keep up. The explanations in lectures were too abstract."

"Lectures were alright, but the connection to the project wasn't always clear."

Not suitable for absolute beginners in programming.

"Requires a strong Java background."

"Not recommended for those new to these concepts or without significant prior programming experience."

"Okay course, but definitely not for beginners. The project is hard and assumes a lot of prior knowledge."

"Complete waste of time if you're not already an expert."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Software Construction: Object-Oriented Design with these activities:

Review previous coursework or study materials

Show steps

Strengthen your foundation by reviewing previous coursework or study materials to refresh your memory and recall important concepts.

Show steps

Go through your notes, assignments, and quizzes from previous courses or self-study.
Focus on areas where you need reinforcement or want to deepen your understanding.

Review of basic Java concepts

Show steps

Review the building blocks of Java including data types, control flow, and object-oriented principles to strengthen your foundation.

Browse courses on Java Basics

Show steps

Revisit materials from previous Java courses or tutorials.
Solve practice problems to test your understanding of Java fundamentals.

Follow online tutorials to learn new techniques

Show steps

Expand your knowledge and explore new topics by following online tutorials that cover advanced techniques and concepts.

Browse courses on Skill Development

Show steps

Identify specific areas where you want to improve your skills.
Search for and select reputable online tutorials that align with your learning goals.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Participate in peer study groups or online forums

Show steps

Engage with peers to discuss course concepts, exchange ideas, and provide mutual support, fostering a better understanding of the material.

Show steps

Identify peer study groups or online forums related to the course.
Participate actively in discussions, asking questions and sharing insights.

Practice coding design patterns

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of design patterns by implementing them in code and testing their effectiveness.

Browse courses on Design Patterns

Show steps

Identify common design patterns used in software development.
Practice implementing these patterns in your own code.
Test your code to verify that it adheres to the design patterns.

Write a blog post summarizing key concepts

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding and improve your communication skills by summarizing and explaining key concepts from the course in a written form.

Browse courses on Blogging

Show steps

Choose a specific topic or concept from the course to focus on.
Research and gather information from course materials and other sources.
Write a well-structured blog post that clearly explains the topic.

Build an application using APIs and online services

Show steps

Apply your knowledge of object-oriented design, APIs, and online services by building a functional application.

Browse courses on APIs

Show steps

Identify a problem or need that can be addressed with an application.
Design the architecture of your application, including the use of APIs and online services.
Implement your application in Java, utilizing object-oriented principles.
Test your application thoroughly to ensure its functionality and reliability.

Participate in coding competitions or hackathons

Show steps

Challenge yourself and test your skills by participating in coding competitions or hackathons, applying your knowledge in a competitive environment.

Show steps

Find and register for coding competitions or hackathons that align with your interests.
Prepare by practicing your coding skills and reviewing relevant course material.
Participate in the competition or hackathon and collaborate with others to solve problems.

Career center

Learners who complete Software Construction: Object-Oriented Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

Software Developers research, design, code, test, deploy, maintain, and manage software systems. They also ensure that those systems meet the needs of users. With the course's focus on object-oriented design, students can learn to build a strong foundation in software development. The course's emphasis on using online services and APIs can help students develop the practical skills needed to work in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Software Architect

Software Architects design and develop software systems, as well as manage the development process. Software Architects are responsible for the overall design of a software system, including its architecture, components, and interfaces. The course will help you build a foundation in software architecture, which will help you succeed in a career in the technology industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software systems. While the work done by a Software Engineer will vary depending on what industry a company works in, designing and improving software is always a key component of the role. The course's focus on object-oriented design, which is fundamental to most software design, can help one build a foundation for a career as a Software Engineer. The course's lessons can inform better methods of software design, making these engineers more effective and efficient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

IT Architect

IT Architects are responsible for designing, developing, and managing IT systems. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and implement systems that meet those needs. The course can help you build a strong foundation in IT architecture. The course's focus on object-oriented design and software development can provide you with the skills and knowledge you need for a successful career in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Architect

Mobile Application Developer

Mobile Application Developers create, design, and develop mobile applications for smartphones and other mobile devices. These applications can be used for a variety of purposes, such as gaming, productivity, and entertainment. The course can help one develop the skills necessary to design and develop mobile applications and may lead to a successful and long-lasting career in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Application Developer

Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Software Quality Assurance Engineers test software to identify and fix defects. They work with developers to ensure that software meets requirements and is of high quality. The course can provide you with a strong foundation in software testing and quality assurance. The course's focus on software development can help you understand the development process and how to test software effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Software Test Engineer

Software Test Engineers test software to identify and fix defects. They work with developers to ensure that software meets requirements and is of high quality. The course can provide you with a strong foundation in software testing. The course's focus on software development can help you understand the development process and how to test software effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Test Engineer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for designing, developing, and managing databases. They work with stakeholders to understand their data needs and then design and implement databases that meet those needs. The course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this role, which can lead to many opportunities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Data Architect

Data Architects are responsible for designing, developing, and managing data systems. They work with stakeholders to understand their data needs and then design and implement systems that meet those needs. The course will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this role, which can open many doors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts are responsible for understanding the current status of a business and designing ways to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements and analyze data. The course will help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze information, design software systems, and present information effectively. These skills are essential for success in a career as a Systems Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analysts analyze computer systems and design solutions to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements and analyze data. The course will help you develop the skills needed to gather and analyze information, design software systems, and present information effectively. These skills are essential for success in a career as a Computer Systems Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Programmer

A Computer Programmer translates software designs into instructions that computers can understand. Computer Programmers may work in application software development, system software development, maintenance programming, or web development. This course will help you build a strong background in the foundational principles of computer programming, which will help you succeed in a career that revolves around this subject.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Information Technology Project Manager

Information Technology Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing IT projects. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop project plans and budgets, and track project progress. The course will help you develop the skills in project management which are necessary to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Project Manager

Web Developer

Web Developers create and maintain websites and web services. Web Developers use their knowledge of programming languages to write code that makes a website interactive. They are responsible for the overall user experience of a website, including design, functionality, and content. As web development is an extremely diverse field, this course may not teach the specific languages that a developer would need for their work; however, the course will provide a solid foundation in the principles of web application development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and design solutions to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements and analyze data. The course can help you build a foundation in business analysis. The course's focus on software development can help you understand how software can be used to improve business processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 25 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Software Construction: Object-Oriented Design.

Design Patterns

Save

The classic work on design patterns, providing a comprehensive catalog of proven solutions to common software design problems. It must-read for anyone interested in object-oriented design.

Software Construction

Object-Oriented Design

What's inside

Learning objectives

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Software construction: object-oriented design

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses

edX Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Free Audit Track Available

14-Day Full Refund Window

Verified Academic & Industry Partner