In our rapidly-evolving, knowledge-based economy, workers are struggling to keep up with the latest technologies and skills. The Certificate Program in Website Design and Development is designed to provide students with the knowledge they need to design and implement effective, dynamic websites. Students pursuing this certificate program have the option of taking either the Web Design Track or the Web Development Track, depending on their particular area of interest.

You can earn the Certificate in Website Design & Development entirely online, on campus, or by taking a combination of online and on campus courses. While all of the required courses are available in the online format, some of the courses in the electives lists are only available on campus. Please refer to Continuing Studies' current semester course listings to see which courses are available in the online or on campus format in the upcoming semester. If you have questions about scheduling or course availability, please contact the Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

Note: Students participating in this program should have basic computer proficiency. Please refer to the current semester course listings to see whether a course is offered in a Mac or PC lab, or online.

Web Design Track
Note: Students pursuing this track should have basic familiarity with HTML. Those who do not have basic familiarity with HTML are encouraged to take 90.291 Intro to DHTML as one of their electives prior to taking the required courses in this track.

Required Courses: (4)
90.231 Graphics for Multimedia and the World Wide Web - Available Fall 2009!
70.379 Website Design - Available Fall 2009!
90.247 Web Authoring: Flash® - Available Fall 2009!
70.384 Advanced Website Design and Development - Available Fall 2009!

Electives - Choose 2:
70.262 Digital Imaging and Photography: Photoshop® * - Available Fall 2009!
70.385 Streaming Media for the Web *
90.230 Introduction to Multimedia - Available Fall 2009!
90.238 Website Development: Microsoft® Expression® Web - Available Fall 2009!
90.248 Website Database Implementation - Available Fall 2009!
90.250 E-Commerce on the Web
90.291 Introduction to DHTML - Available Fall 2009!
90.292 Advanced DHTML - Available Fall 2009!
90.302 JavaScript - Available Fall 2009!
90.306 Introduction to XML - Available Fall 2009!
90.347 Rich Web Development: Advanced Flash®
90.348 Developing Dynamic Websites with ColdFusion® MX *

*not currently offered online

Web Development Track

Required Courses: (4)
90.291 Introduction to DHTML - Available Fall 2009!
90.238 Website Development: Microsoft® Expression® Web - Available Fall 2009!
90.248 Website Database Implementation - Available Fall 2009!
90.306 Introduction to XML - Available Fall 2009!

Electives - Choose 2:
70.379 Website Design - Available Fall 2009!
70.384 Advanced Website Design and Development - Available Fall 2009!
70.385 Streaming Media for the Web *
90.227 Developing Interactive Help Systems: RoboHelp®
90.245 Website Server Administration
90.246 Active Server Pages .NET
90.247 Web Authoring: Flash® - Available Fall 2009!
90.250 E-Commerce on the Web
90.292 Advanced DHTML - Available Fall 2009!
90.301 JAVA Programming - Available Fall 2009!
90.302 JavaScript - Available Fall 2009!
90.305 Introduction to Perl - Available Fall 2009!
90.347 Rich Web Development: Advanced Flash®
90.348 Developing Dynamic Websites with ColdFusion® MX *

*not currently offered online

**Note: Other 90.xxx may be substituted as electives for the Web Development Track with prior approval from the certificate program coordinator.
 

Certificate Requirements
Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete all courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses each semester. Courses on-campus typically meet one night per week, three hours each night, for 14 weeks during the Fall and Spring semesters. UMass Lowell's online courses meet for either 10 or 14 weeks, however, students generally log on to their course site once per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. For more information on online courses, click here to go to UMass Lowell's online courses website. In addition to the Fall and Spring semesters, students may also have the opportunity to accelerate their programs of study during two concentrated six-week Summer sessions. Online courses are also offered during the Summer semester, but unlike the on-campus courses, the online summer courses meet from May through August for a period of 14 weeks unless otherwise noted. All students should anticipate at least two hours of preparation for every hour of classroom instruction. Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate.

Application into the Program
Those who wish to enroll in the certificate program should submit a completed application form and arrange to have their official high school transcript or GED sent to Continuing Studies. Applications, transcripts, and other correspondence should be sent to: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Admissions/Continuing Studies, Corporate & Distance Education, Dugan Hall, Room 110, 883 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854-5104. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no fee to apply. Upon acceptance, notification will be sent to students.

Registering for Courses
Continuing Studies offers courses during the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Information about current course offerings, schedules, and registration procedures is published regularly on our website. If you would like to receive a printed Course Bulletin, please contact our Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

You may take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet the particular course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

Transfer Policy
With the program coordinator's approval, one course may be transferred from another accredited institution to satisfy undergraduate certificate program requirements. The course should be equivalent to UMass Lowell instruction, applicable to the intended program, and the student must have received a grade equivalent to a C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

Academic Advising
Program Coordinators and Faculty and Student Support Specialists are available by appointment to help students determine appropriate course loads, discuss admission requirements, and review the transferability of courses. For online advising, email us at Continuing_Education@uml.edu. To schedule an appointment with a Program Coordinator or Faculty and Student Support Specialist, please call Continuing Studies at (978) 934-2474. General academic advising is also available at the Faculty and Student Support Center on a drop-in basis, located in Southwick Hall, Room 202 on UMass Lowell North. Call (978) 934-2474 or stop by the office Monday through Thursday between 8:30am-8:00pm and on Friday between 8:30am-5:00pm.

Awarding of Certificates
Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students must submit a completed Certificate Petition Form to Continuing Studies. Upon verification, students will be mailed their certificates. Receipt of the certificate will be noted formally on the student's transcript with an award date of October, February, or June.

Tuition
Please refer to our current course listings published online each semester for up-to-date pricing information or refer to the Continuing Studies Course Bulletin each semester.

For More Information
For additional information on any of our programs, call Continuing Studies at (978) 934-2474 or email Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

For information on Financial Aid, call the Financial Aid Office at (978) 934-4220.

Course Descriptions

70.262 Digital Imaging and Photography: Photoshop®
This course will offer the student a transition between traditional photographic imaging and digital photographic imaging. The course will cover the fundamentals of digital scanning, digital capture and image manipulation. Image preparation for other media will also be explored. Basic familiarity with the Mac OS and/or Windows platforms required. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Basic Macintosh or Basic Windows proficiency. Special Notes: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.379 Website Design
This course will focus on the creation of visual content for the web and will explore what constitutes a visually exciting and engaging site. Other topics that will be covered are: file formats, compression, web color strategies, and platform standards. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Basic HTML and Photoshop familiarity required.

70.384 Advanced Website Design and Development
This advanced-level course is designed for students who have completed Website Design (70.379). The course will cover advanced topics such as user-centered design, information architecture, testing, and usage analysis. Students will have the opportunity to further develop their design, development, and conceptualization skills. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.379

70.385 Streaming Media for the Web
This is an advanced course for those with intermediate or advanced ability in World Wide Web technology who want to explore the use of streaming media delivery. This course will examine current technologies used to deliver audio, video, and multimedia via on-demand and live broadcasts utilizing both internet and intranet environments. Special attention will be made to emerging protocols and standards for streaming delivery. Bandwidth requirements, server configuration and setup, and content development will be covered in a hands-on environment. Familiarity with the Windows platform is required. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.379 or permission of instructor

90.227 Developing Interactive Help Systems: RoboHelp®
This course is designed for technical writers, project managers, web developers and designers or anyone interested in creating, developing, and managing Help systems. Students will learn to use RoboHelp to create professional Help systems and documentation for desktop and web-based applications, including CD-ROMs, .NET and Rich Internet Applications. Students will learn to create Table of Contents, Index, Glossary, context-sensitive Help, and how to generate Help systems in any popular online Help format, plus press-ready printed documentation. Students will also explore the use of RoboDemo as a potential add-in to make help systems more interactive by incorporating Flash movies and video. Prerequisite: Familiarity with technical writing and/or web/multimedia development. 3 credits. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Familiarity with technical writing and/or web/multimedia development

90.230 Introduction to Multimedia
Provides participants with an overview of multimedia and its professional applications in training, education, marketing, and entertainment. Scanning images, digitizing video and audio, and exploring the design and production of interactive multimedia are the focus of this class. Includes technical/hardware considerations and production procedures pertinent to interactive multimedia. 3 credits. Prerequisite: P: Basic Macintosh or Windows proficiency

90.231 Graphics for Multimedia and the World Wide Web
The focus of this class is on the basic components of shape, color, texture, typography, and images as they are applied to multimedia and web interface design. Other topics covered include scanning, image editing, resolution and color palettes. Students will work on projects that integrate elements such as buttons, navigation bars, and background images to communicate creative visual information. Photoshop will be used. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.230 Special Notes: Formerly Graphics for Multimedia

90.238 Website Development: Microsoft® Expression® Web
This course focuses on the design, development, and implementation of websites using available visual development tools. Each participant will design, build, and maintain their own websites. Topics covered include: basic navigational structure; page layout incorporating tables and CSS; graphical design and placement; image maps; streaming audio and video; and basic website administration. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.291; 90.231 recommended Special Notes: Formerly Designing Multimedia for the World Wide Web

90.245 Website Server Administration
This course provides participants with an overview of the features that make up a web server as well as the information needed to implement and support a web server. The course covers the most popular industry web server products. Topics include: planning, installation, and configuration, configuring and managing resource access, integration and interoperability, running applications, monitoring and optimization, troubleshooting, HyperText Transfer Protocol, platform selection and tradeoffs. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.238.

90.246 Active Server Pages .NET
With more data online, the web interface is becoming the primary tool for serving up databases in the enterprise and on the Internet. Topics covered include: what is ASP.NET; server-side scripting; Web Forms; validation, file I/O; database access components; basic SQL commands; and debugging techniques 3 credits. Prerequisite: HTML and previous programming experience required. Special Notes:
This course qualifies for free MSDNA software!

90.247 Web Authoring: Flash®
This course will demonstrate how to use web authoring applications to create cutting-edge interface, navigation, and streaming animation. Using open standard vector formatting, you can create interactive capabilities on the web similar to CD-ROM screens. You'll learn how to use drawing tools to create websites that include sound, clickable buttons, interactivity, and exciting animations. Applications such as Shockwave and Flash will be used. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.291; 90.302 or programming familiarity

90.248 Website Database Implementation
Provides web designers and developers with the knowledge and hands on training they need to begin developing dynamic data driven websites. Students will learn how to build interactive web forms using SQL queries to search the database, list database records, and drill down to record details, while maintaining their session state across pages. Issues such as integrated security, reliability, and scalability will be reviewed. 3 credits. Prerequisite: HTML proficiency and an understanding of database concepts required.

90.250 E-Commerce on the Web
This course examines the impact of emerging technologies on how we conduct business in a wired world. Topics include: ingredients for a Commerce-Enabled Web site from hardware and software to necessary operational processes; copyright, authentication, encryption, certification, and security; on-line payment strategies (SET, E-cash, check, and charge) and companies offering solutions: E-Commerce Business Models. 3 credits.

90.291 Introduction to DHTML
Starts with the basics of Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language using the tool that most professional Web developers use - HTML-Kit. The course covers the W3C standards for HTML 3.2 and 4.0, Web protocols, Web server basics, Web design theory, and provides a survey of JavaScript, Cascading Style Sheets, XML, Perl, and Dynamic HTML. 3 credits.

90.292 Advanced DHTML
A continuation of the introductory course, this course focuses on properties of Cascading Style Sheets and using them with JavaScript to create Dynamic HTML. The student is required to know basic HTML before enrolling in this class. The Document Object Model (DOM) for IE is covered in depth. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.291.

90.301 JAVA Programming
The JAVA (TM) programming language is now being used to write distributed Internet applications. Unlike traditional languages, the JAVA (TM) language was designed to be used on a network. Thus, it contains features needed to build efficient distributed applications that employ Internet resources. Those who intend to design World Wide Web information systems that fully utilize the Internet must have a working knowledge of this vital technology. This course allows students to explore features that set JAVA (TM) apart from traditional programming languages; obtain an overview of object-oriented design as it applies to JAVA (TM); learn about the fundamental constructs of the JAVA (TM) programming language; and write, compile, and include simple JAVA (TM) Applets within the content of HTML documents. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.297 or 90.268

90.302 JavaScript
An introductory course designed for the student who has mastered HTML and would like to add interactivity to his or her web sites. Topics covered include basic JavaScript programming, creating interactive forms, using frames and cookies, working with graphics and multimedia. Students will incorporate various JavaScript programs to their existing website. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.291 or knowledge of HTML

90.305 Introduction to Perl
The Perl programming language has gained popularity in recent years, due in part to the ease with which it can perform multiple tasks, such as UNIX system administration, application to Common Gateway Interface (CGI), World Wide Web (WWW). In this course, students examine the language's syntax, unique features, and Perl program development. Course projects will focus on developing CGI programs for Intranet and Internet deployment. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.267

90.306 Introduction to XML
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) picks up where HTML leaves off. If you've studied HTML, you've learned the Web's formatting language. To structure content on the Web, you will need to learn XML. In this introductory course, you will learn basics of XML and the DTD (Document Type Definition), XSL (the style sheet for XML), and CDF (Channel Definition Format) commonly used in push technology. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.291; students should have a mastery of DHTML and be familiar with database concepts

90.347 Rich Web Development: Advanced Flash®
This course picks up where other Flash courses end. Go beyond developing animations; learn how to use Flash to develop complete interactive websites, to develop presentations for Web/CD/DVD delivery, and to develop applications for internet, intranet and alternate devices. Learn to understand and write ActionScript (Flash's programming language) and design in OOP (Object-oriented programming). You'll learn how to use sound, buttons, interactivity, and animations to enhance the user's experience. Learn the fundamentals of Flash Communication Server, Flash Remoting and Flash-Database Integration. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 90.247

90.348 Developing Dynamic Websites with ColdFusion® MX
Developing Dynamic Websites with ColdFusion MX is a course that provides web designers and developers with the knowledge and hands on training they need to begin developing interactive websites using Macromedia's powerful web application platform ColdFusion MX using the Dreamweaver MX website authoring tool. Students will learn how to build secure, interactive, database-driven web applications that maintain session state across pages. 3 credits. Prerequisite: 70.379 and 70.384, or prior familiarity with Dreamweaver