CS404
Modern Web Application 1 - From Idea to MVP
Faculty
Nico Deblauwe
Freelance Full Stack Developer & Innovation Expert
Course length
Duration
Total hours
Credits
Language
Course type
Fee for single course
Fee for degree students
Skills you’ll learn
Overview
This course teaches the fundamentals of backend web development with Laravel, a modern PHP framework. You will learn how requests flow through an application, how to model and store data, and how to handle users, security and performance: the parts of an app you don't see, but that decide whether it works.
AI coding tools are part of the daily workflow, following a fixed rhythm: for every topic, you first work through the concept by hand, then apply it with AI, moving over the course from chat and autocomplete to coding agents such as OpenCode or Claude Code. You stay in charge of design and quality throughout.
By the end, your own idea runs as a working MVP on your local machine, and you can explain and defend every part of it.
Learning highlights
Backend Web Development
- The architecture and key components of a modern MVC framework (Laravel)
- Data modelling: relationships, migrations, factories and seeds
- Storing, querying and presenting data
- Users, authentication and authorisation
- Where the backend ends and the frontend begins
- The most common security and performance threats, and how to remediate them
Tech Project Management
- Starting a new web project from scratch and taking it from idea to MVP
- Sustainable solo development workflows with Git
AI-Assisted Development
- Learning each concept by hand first, then applying it with AI
- The shift from chat and autocomplete to coding agents (e.g. OpenCode, Claude Code)
- When (and when not) to use AI, and how to review what it produces
- Delegating frontend work to AI, so you can focus on the backend
Course outline
15 classes
Introduction to MVC
The big picture.
Requests & MVC.
Setting up your dev environment.
Focus on the Model
Databases (and ORM).
Relationships.
Migrations.
Factories & Seeds.
Focus on the View
Representing data with views, making it efficient with Layouts and Components.
Focus on the Controller
Towards a full CRUD (create, read, update and destroy) and validation of input.
Leveraging the Framework
Clean Routing.
Resource Controllers.
Component thinking.
Intro coding agents.
Dealing with Data
Eloquent (MySQL) vs Collections (PHP).
Privacy by design.
User profiles.
Dealing with logged-in Users
Authentication & Authorisation.
Middleware.
Business logic.
Permission management.
Code Management & Adding Functionality
Using packages.
Versioning.
Using external services (e.g. email).
Media Files & Frontend Assets
File uploads (public vs private).
Processing file data.
Dealing with CSS, Javascript.
Dealing with Errors & Exceptions
Handling Errors.
Catching Exceptions.
Security Aspects.
Performance Boosts & Adding state
Caching.
N+1 problem.
Session (cookies).
Asynchronous Execution
Background jobs & queues.
Model Events.
Testing strategies
Testing strategies.
Unit vs Feature Tests.
Running, Debugging & Organising tests.
Refactoring Approaches
Fat/skinny Models & Controller.
CLI & Commands.
Action class pattern.
Project Presentations
Shine when demonstrating your outcome.
Answer some difficult questions.
Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of HTML5 and CSS
- Solid experience with at least one programming language
- Basic understanding of relational databases
- Willingness to critically review and question AI-generated code
- No prior experience with AI coding tools is needed
Methodology
- Lectures: during the daily lectures, you are introduced to new knowledge and learn new skills.
- Practical examples: the lecturer live-codes a demo application from scratch over the span of the course, following the same rhythm you do: each concept is built by hand first, then with AI tools.
- Homework: smaller assignments are given throughout the module (individual and group work). AI tools are always allowed, but you must always be able to explain what you submit.
- Individual project: every student builds their own project. Your Git history and the AI artefacts in your repository (such as agent instructions and plans) document how your app came about.
Grading
Nico has a PhD in Telecom Engineering and over 15 years of experience in web development. Check his profile on LinkedIn for full information.
At Harbour.Space, Nico teaches 2 courses on backend web development (in BCN) and a course on introduction to web development (in BKK). Nico also teaches the Software Development Basics course at CODE University (Berlin, 5 ECTS) and Backend web at Erasmushogeschool (Brussels, 6 ECTS)
See full profileApply for this course
Modern Web Application 1 - From Idea to MVP
by Nico Deblauwe
Total hours
45 Hours
Dates
Nov 09 - Nov 27, 2026
Fee for single course
€1500
Fee for degree students
€750
How to secure your spot
Complete the form below to kickstart your application
Schedule your Harbour.Space interview
If successful, get ready to join us on campus
FAQ
Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate signed by the director of the program your course belonged to.
Do I need a visa?
This depends on your case. Please check with the Spanish or Thai consulate in your country of residence about visa requirements. We will do our part to provide you with the necessary documents, such as the Certificate of Enrollment.
Can I get a discount?
Yes. The easiest way to enroll in a course at a discounted price is to register for multiple courses. Registering for multiple courses will reduce the cost per individual course. Please ask the Admissions Office for more information about the other kinds of discounts we offer and what you can do to receive one.