Advanced MERN Stack Development
→ Course Overview:
This course is designed to equip students with advanced MERN stack development skills and the latest industry tools and
technologies. Students will learn to build modern web applications using MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js while
mastering complementary technologies such as GraphQL, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, Git, Docker, and VS Code.
Course Duration:
12 weeks (3 hours per session, 3 sessions per week)
Prerequisites:
● Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
● Familiarity with MERN stack fundamentals
→ Curriculum:
Week 1-2: Introduction to MERN Stack Development
● Day 1-2: Overview of MERN stack architecture and project setup
● Day 3-4: MongoDB fundamentals: CRUD operations, schema design
● Day 5-6: Building RESTful APIs with Express.js
● Day 7: Project: Setting up a basic MERN stack application
Week 3-4: Advanced React.js Development
● Day 1-2: Recap of React.js fundamentals
● Day 3-4: Introduction to Next.js for server-side rendering
● Day 5-6: State management with Redux or Context API
● Day 7: Project: Building a dynamic web application with Next.js and Redux
Week 5-6: GraphQL Integration
● Day 1-2: Understanding GraphQL: Queries, Mutations, Subscriptions
● Day 3-4: Integrating GraphQL with MERN stack
● Day 5-6: Apollo Client for data fetching and caching
● Day 7: Project: Implementing GraphQL in a MERN stack application
Week 7-8: Styling with Tailwind CSS
● Day 1-2: Introduction to Tailwind CSS and utility-first approach
● Day 3-4: Customizing Tailwind CSS for project requirements
● Day 5-6: Responsive design principles with Tailwind CSS
● Day 7: Project: Styling a MERN stack application with Tailwind CSS
Week 9-10: DevOps with Docker
● Day 1-2: Introduction to Docker and containerization
● Day 3-4: Dockerizing MERN stack applications
● Day 5-6: Docker Compose for multi-container environments
● Day 7: Project: Containerizing and deploying a MERN stack application
Week 11-12: Version Control with Git and Advanced Topics
● Day 1-2: Git fundamentals: Repositories, branches, commits
● Day 3-4: Collaborative development with Git workflows
● Day 5-6: Branch management and resolving conflicts
● Day 7: Project: Collaborative development and version control of a MERN stack project using Git
A B C
1 Week Topics Description
- Overview of MERN stack architecture - Setting up the development
Introduction to MERN environment - MongoDB fundamentals: CRUD operations, schema
2 Week 1-2 Stack Development design - Building RESTful APIs with Express.js - Project: Setting up a
basic MERN stack application
Advanced React.js - Recap of React.js fundamentals - Introduction to Next.js for server-
3 Week 3-4 Development side rendering - State management with Redux or Context API -
Project: Building a dynamic web application with Next.js and Redux
- Understanding GraphQL: Queries, Mutations, Subscriptions -
Integrating GraphQL with MERN stack - Apollo Client for data fetching
4 Week 5-6 GraphQL Integration and caching - Project: Implementing GraphQL in a MERN stack
application
- Introduction to Tailwind CSS and utility-first approach - Customizing
Styling with Tailwind Tailwind CSS for project requirements - Responsive design principles
5 Week 7-8 CSS with Tailwind CSS - Project: Styling a MERN stack application with
Tailwind CSS
- Introduction to Docker and containerization - Dockerizing MERN stack
6 Week 9-10 DevOps with Docker applications - Docker Compose for multi-container environments -
Project: Containerizing and deploying a MERN stack application
- Git fundamentals: Repositories, branches, commits - Collaborative
7 Week 11-12 Version Control with Git development with Git workflows - Branch management and resolving
conflicts - Project: Collaborative development and version control of a
MERN stack project using Git
→ Detailed Description:
Introduction to MERN Stack Development:
● Overview of MERN stack architecture: Understand the components of MERN stack - MongoDB (NoSQL database),
Express.js (Node.js framework), React.js (frontend library), and Node.js (JavaScript runtime).
● Setting up the development environment: Install necessary tools like Node.js, MongoDB, and a code editor (e.g., VS
Code).
● MongoDB fundamentals: Learn CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete) and schema design in MongoDB.
● Building RESTful APIs with Express.js: Create server-side APIs using Express.js to interact with MongoDB.
● Project: Set up a basic MERN stack application with user authentication and CRUD operations.
Advanced React.js Development:
● Recap of React.js fundamentals: Review React.js concepts such as components, state, props, and lifecycle methods.
● Introduction to Next.js: Explore Next.js for server-side rendering and building React applications.
● State management with Redux or Context API: Manage application state efficiently using Redux or Context API.
● Project: Develop a dynamic web application with Next.js and Redux, incorporating authentication and real-time data
updates.
GraphQL Integration:
● Understanding GraphQL: Learn about GraphQL query language, mutations for data modification, and subscriptions for
real-time updates.
● Integrating GraphQL with MERN stack: Implement GraphQL server in Node.js Express application and connect it with
MongoDB.
● Apollo Client for data fetching and caching: Use the Apollo Client library to fetch data from the GraphQL server and
manage the local state.
● Project: Implement GraphQL in a MERN stack application to efficiently fetch and update data.
Styling with Tailwind CSS:
● Introduction to Tailwind CSS: Understand the utility-first CSS framework and its advantages.
● Customizing Tailwind CSS: Customize Tailwind CSS to match project requirements using configuration and utility
classes.
● Responsive design principles: Apply responsive design techniques with Tailwind CSS for various screen sizes.
● Project: Style a MERN stack application using Tailwind CSS for consistent and responsive UI.
DevOps with Docker:
● Introduction to Docker and containerization: Learn Docker basics, including containers, images, and Dockerfile.
● Dockerizing MERN stack applications: Containerize MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js applications using
Docker.
● Docker Compose for multi-container environments: Use Docker Compose to define and run multi-container Docker
applications.
● Project: Containerize and deploy a MERN stack application using Docker containers.
Version Control with Git:
● Git fundamentals: Understand the Git version control system, including repositories, branches, commits, and merges.
● Collaborative development with Git workflows: Learn Git workflows like Feature Branch Workflow and Git Flow for
collaborative development.
● Branch management and resolving conflicts: Manage branches effectively and resolve conflicts that arise during
collaborative development.
● Project: Collaboratively develop and version control a MERN stack project using Git, practicing branching, merging, and
conflict resolution.
→ Module-wise test suggestion
Week 1-2: Introduction to MERN Stack Development
● Module Test: Test understanding of MongoDB fundamentals and CRUD operations.
● Task 1: Write MongoDB queries to perform CRUD operations on a given collection.
○ Example: Write a MongoDB query to find all documents where the "status" field is set to "active".
● Task 2: Design a schema for a simple MongoDB collection based on a provided scenario.
○ Example: Given a scenario of a blog application, design a MongoDB schema for the "posts" collection including
fields like "title", "content", "author", and "date".
● Task 3: Implement MongoDB operations (insert, find, update, delete) in a Node.js script.
○ Example: Write a Node.js script that inserts a new document into a MongoDB collection, finds documents matching
certain criteria, updates an existing document, and deletes a document.
Week 3-4: Advanced React.js Development
● Module Test: Test understanding of React.js fundamentals and state management.
● Task 1: Implement a React component with props and state.
○ Example: Create a React component called "Counter" that displays a count and allows incrementing and
decrementing the count using buttons.
● Task 2: Write Redux actions and reducers for a given state management scenario.
○ Example: Define Redux actions and reducers for managing a shopping cart state including adding items, removing
items, and updating quantities.
● Task 3: Compare and contrast server-side rendering (SSR) and client-side rendering (CSR) in React.js.
○ Example: Explain the differences between SSR and CSR in terms of initial page load, SEO, and performance.
Week 5-6: GraphQL Integration
● Module Test: Test understanding of GraphQL concepts and integration with MERN stack.
● Task 1: Write GraphQL queries and mutations to fetch and modify data.
○ Example: Write a GraphQL query to fetch all users' names and emails from a user collection.
● Task 2: Implement a GraphQL schema and resolvers for a MERN stack application.
○ Example: Define a GraphQL schema for a blogging application including types for posts, comments, and users, and
implement resolvers to fetch data from MongoDB.
● Task 3: Integrate Apollo Client into a React application and fetch data using GraphQL queries.
○ Example: Set up Apollo Client in a React application and use it to fetch a list of posts from a GraphQL server.
Week 7-8: Styling with Tailwind CSS
● Module Test: Test understanding of Tailwind CSS utility-first approach and responsive design.
● Task 1: Style a given HTML layout using Tailwind CSS utility classes.
○ Example: Use Tailwind CSS classes to style a navigation bar with links, a logo, and a search input.
● Task 2: Customize Tailwind CSS configuration to match a specific design requirement.
○ Example: Customize Tailwind CSS theme colors and typography to match a brand's style guide.
● Task 3: Implement responsive design for a web page using Tailwind CSS breakpoints and utilities.
○ Example: Make a webpage responsive using Tailwind CSS classes for different screen sizes, ensuring elements
adjust appropriately on small screens.
Week 9-10: DevOps with Docker
● Module Test: Test understanding of Docker concepts and containerizing MERN stack applications.
● Task 1: Write Dockerfiles for Node.js backend and React.js frontend applications.
○ Example: Create Dockerfiles to build Docker images for a Node.js server and a React.js client application.
● Task 2: Configure Docker Compose YAML file to orchestrate containers for a MERN stack.
○ Example: Write a Docker Compose YAML file to define services for the backend, frontend, and MongoDB, including
network configuration and volume mounts.
● Task 3: Deploy a containerized MERN stack application to a cloud platform using Docker.
○ Example: Deploy a containerized MERN stack application to AWS ECS or Google Kubernetes Engine, configuring
load balancers, and auto-scaling.
Week 11-12: Version Control with Git and Advanced Topics
● Module Test: Test understanding of Git fundamentals and collaborative development workflows.
● Task 1: Initialize a Git repository, create branches, and commit changes to version-controlled files.
○ Example: Initialize a Git repository for a project, create a new branch for feature development, make changes to
files, and commit those changes.
● Task 2: Resolve a merge conflict between two branches in a Git repository.
○ Example: Simulate a merge conflict between two branches, resolve the conflict by manually editing the conflicted
file, and complete the merge.
● Task 3: Collaborate with team members on a shared Git repository by creating pull requests and reviewing code changes.
○ Example: Fork a repository, make changes to a feature branch, create a pull request, review code changes, and
merge the pull request into the main branch.
→ Suggestions for weekly assessments and quizzes that align with the
curriculum:
Weekly Assessments and Quizzes:
Week 1-2: Introduction to MERN Stack Development
● Assessment: Build a basic CRUD application using MongoDB, Express.js, and Node.js.
● Quiz: Multiple-choice questions on MongoDB CRUD operations and Express.js routing.
Week 3-4: Advanced React.js Development
● Assessment: Develop a dynamic web application with Next.js and implement state management using Redux or Context
API.
● Quiz: Questions on React.js lifecycle methods, Next.js features, and Redux principles.
Week 5-6: GraphQL Integration
● Assessment: Create a GraphQL API for a MERN stack application and implement Apollo Client for data fetching.
● Quiz: Understanding of GraphQL concepts, Apollo Client setup, and optimizing GraphQL queries.
Week 7-8: Styling with Tailwind CSS
● Assessment: Customize the styling of a MERN stack application using Tailwind CSS, ensuring responsiveness.
● Quiz: Assess understanding of Tailwind CSS utility classes, responsive design principles, and Tailwind configuration.
Week 9-10: DevOps with Docker
● Assessment: Dockerize a MERN stack application and deploy it using Docker Compose.
● Quiz: Questions on Docker fundamentals, Dockerfile syntax, and Docker Compose configuration.
Week 11-12: Version Control with Git and Advanced Topics
● Assessment: Collaboratively develop a feature for a MERN stack project using Git, managing branches and resolving
conflicts.
● Quiz: Understanding of Git workflows, branching strategies, and advanced Git commands.
Weekly Assignments Quizzes and Projects (Sheet)
A B C
1 Week Assignment Quiz
Build a RESTful API using Express.js and
2 MongoDB for a simple task management Assess understanding of MongoDB fundamentals,
Week 1-2 application. including schema design and CRUD operations.
Develop a React.js application with Next.js for a
3
blog platform. Implement features such as user Evaluate comprehension of Next.js concepts, including
Week 3-4 authentication, posting blogs, and commenting. server-side rendering and routing.
Extend the previous blog platform project to
4 integrate GraphQL for data fetching. Implement
GraphQL queries for fetching blog posts and Test understanding of GraphQL concepts, including
Week 5-6 mutations for creating comments. queries, mutations, and subscriptions.
Redesign the UI of the blog platform using
Tailwind CSS. Apply responsive design
5
principles and customize Tailwind CSS to Assess knowledge of Tailwind CSS utilities and
Week 7-8 achieve a visually appealing layout. responsive design techniques.
Dockerize the MERN stack application
developed in previous weeks. Create Docker
6 containers for MongoDB, Express.js server, and
React.js frontend, and deploy using Docker Evaluate understanding of Docker basics and
Week 9-10 Compose. containerization concepts.
Collaborate with peers to develop a feature for
the blog platform using Git. Practice creating
7
feature branches, making commits, and Test knowledge of Git workflows and branch
Week 11-12 resolving conflicts. management strategies.
MID-TERM AND FINAL PROJECTS:
A B C
1 Project Description Breakdown
Mid-term Build an e-commerce platform using the MERN Backend: Develop RESTful APIs for product
Project: E- stack. The platform should allow users to management, user authentication, and order
commerce browse products, add items to the cart, and processing using Express.js and MongoDB. Frontend:
Platform proceed to checkout. Implement user Create a React.js application with Next.js for server-
authentication and authorization for managing side rendering. Implement features for browsing
orders. products, managing the cart, and user authentication.
2 Related Case Studies: Analyze existing e-commerce
platforms like Amazon and Shopify to understand their
architecture and features. Compare different
approaches to implementing features such as product
search, recommendation systems, and payment
integration.
Final Project: Develop a social media platform where users Backend: Implement a GraphQL server using Apollo
Social Media can create posts, follow other users, and Server and MongoDB for data storage. Define
Platform interact through likes and comments. schemas and resolvers for user management, post
Implement real-time updates using GraphQL creation, and interaction features. Frontend: Build a
subscriptions. React.js application with GraphQL client (Apollo Client)
for data fetching and real-time updates. Implement
features for creating posts, liking/commenting, and
3 following users. Related Case Studies: Study social
media platforms like Twitter and Instagram to
understand their functionality and user engagement
strategies. Explore GraphQL implementations in
existing platforms to learn best practices for real-time
updates and data fetching.
