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Your learning plan · 20 modules

Node.js, Express.js and MongoDB Backend Development

Learn what happens behind a website or app. Build and test APIs, store data in MongoDB, validate requests, add login and permissions, and organize a backend project for frontend integration.

Node.jsBackend development
Who it's for
Grades 10+, college students and professionals learning backend development
Typically ages 15+
Suggested duration
50 classes / 12 to 16 weeks
How you learn
Concepts → practice → projects
Explore all 20 modules Download syllabus (PDF)

Age ranges are approximate. We'll confirm your starting module and class schedule before enrolment.

The goal

What you'll learn to do

  • Explain how Node.js runs JavaScript outside the browser and use npm, modules and asynchronous code.
  • Create REST APIs with Express and organize routes, controllers, models and configuration.
  • Connect to MongoDB with Mongoose and work with CRUD operations, validation, queries and aggregation.
  • Build registration and login flows using password hashing and JWT, then control access with user roles.
  • Test and document a backend project with Postman and GitHub, prepare it for frontend integration and explain its design during review.

One module at a time

Your module-wise syllabus

Open a module to see the topics and hands-on practice. Start with the foundations and build up step by step.

01

Introduction to Node.js

What you'll explore

  • Overview of Node.js
  • Benefits of Node.js
  • Event-driven model
  • Non-blocking I/O
  • Brief history and use cases
  • Where Node.js is used in real projects

Try it yourself

  • Run first Node command
  • Create hello Node file
  • Discuss where backend is needed
02

JavaScript Fundamentals for Backend

What you'll explore

  • Variables and data types
  • Operators
  • Control structures
  • Functions
  • Objects and arrays
  • Modules basics

Try it yourself

  • Write utility functions
  • Create user/product objects
  • Practice conditions and loops
03

Asynchronous JavaScript

What you'll explore

  • Callbacks
  • Promises
  • Async/await
  • Error handling with async code
  • Why async matters in backend

Try it yourself

  • Create delayed response examples
  • Convert promise code to async/await
  • Handle errors gracefully
04

Node.js Setup and NPM

What you'll explore

  • Installing Node.js
  • NPM package manager
  • package.json file
  • Installing packages
  • Updating and removing packages
  • Running scripts

Try it yourself

  • Create basic Node app
  • Install nodemon
  • Run server script
05

Core Node.js Modules

What you'll explore

  • Modules in Node.js
  • File system module
  • Path module
  • Event module
  • Creating and exporting custom modules

Try it yourself

  • Create custom utility module
  • Read a text file
  • Use path for file location
06

Understanding Servers and HTTP

What you'll explore

  • What is a server?
  • Client-server architecture
  • HTTP request and response
  • Creating basic HTTP server
  • Status codes overview

Try it yourself

  • Create basic server
  • Return text/JSON response
  • Test in browser
07

Express.js Framework

What you'll explore

  • Express introduction
  • Creating Express server
  • Routes
  • Serving static files
  • Route parameters and query parameters
  • Basic error handling

Try it yourself

  • Build Express server
  • Create multiple routes
  • Serve static folder
08

APIs and Endpoints

What you'll explore

  • Introduction to APIs
  • Endpoint structure
  • RESTful API rules
  • GET, POST, PUT, DELETE
  • Request body and response JSON

Try it yourself

  • Create simple CRUD API with in-memory data
  • Test endpoints
  • Return proper status codes
09

Introduction to MongoDB

What you'll explore

  • NoSQL database concept
  • MongoDB overview
  • Database, collection and document
  • Installing/using MongoDB Atlas
  • Basic MongoDB operations

Try it yourself

  • Create database and collection
  • Insert sample documents
  • Read data using basic commands
10

Mongoose Basics

What you'll explore

  • What is Mongoose?
  • Connecting Node.js and MongoDB
  • Schemas and models
  • Data types
  • CRUD operations with Mongoose

Try it yourself

  • Create user/product model
  • Connect database
  • Perform CRUD with Mongoose
11

Handling HTTP Requests with Express

What you'll explore

  • GET, POST, PUT, PATCH and DELETE
  • req.params
  • req.query
  • req.body
  • Response methods
  • Status codes and messages

Try it yourself

  • Create CRUD routes
  • Test request body handling
  • Return JSON with success messages
12

Postman API Testing

What you'll explore

  • Postman overview
  • Creating requests
  • Headers and body
  • Testing GET/POST/PUT/DELETE
  • Saving collections

Try it yourself

  • Test all CRUD APIs
  • Save Postman collection
  • Take screenshots of API responses
13

Schema Validation with Mongoose

What you'll explore

  • Required fields
  • Built-in validators
  • Custom validators
  • Async validators
  • Error message formatting

Try it yourself

  • Add validation to schema
  • Test invalid request
  • Return readable validation errors
14

MongoDB Queries and Aggregation

What you'll explore

  • find and findOne
  • Update and delete operations
  • Logical operators
  • Array operators
  • Projection
  • Aggregation stages: match, group, sort

Try it yourself

  • Create filter APIs
  • Add search by name/email/date
  • Build simple report endpoint
15

Async/Await with Mongoose

What you'll explore

  • Using async/await in controllers
  • try/catch error handling
  • Handling rejected promises
  • Reusable async handler concept
  • Database error patterns

Try it yourself

  • Refactor routes to async controllers
  • Add error handling
  • Test failed database cases
16

Node.js Application Structure

What you'll explore

  • MVC pattern
  • Routes folder
  • Controllers folder
  • Models folder
  • Config files
  • Environment variables

Try it yourself

  • Organize backend project
  • Create route/controller/model folders
  • Move database config separately
17

Middleware in Express.js

What you'll explore

  • What is middleware?
  • Application-level middleware
  • Router-level middleware
  • Custom middleware
  • Error-handling middleware
  • Logging and security basics

Try it yourself

  • Create logger middleware
  • Add error handler
  • Protect one route with middleware
18

Authentication in Node.js

What you'll explore

  • Authentication concept
  • User registration
  • Login flow
  • Password hashing with bcryptjs
  • JWT generation
  • JWT verification

Try it yourself

  • Build register API
  • Build login API
  • Create JWT-protected route
19

Authorization in Node.js

What you'll explore

  • Authentication vs authorization
  • Role-based access
  • Admin/user permissions
  • Authorization middleware
  • Protected resources

Try it yourself

  • Add admin-only route
  • Test user vs admin access
  • Return 401/403 responses correctly
20

Full-Stack Backend Project and Interview Preparation

What you'll explore

  • Project planning
  • Backend setup
  • User authentication and authorization
  • Frontend integration overview
  • DBMS overview
  • SQL vs NoSQL
  • Project assessment
  • Common interview questions

Try it yourself

  • Build task manager/e-commerce backend
  • Submit Postman collection and GitHub repo
  • Practice project explanation

Make your learning visible

Projects & practice you can build on

These ideas come from the syllabus. Your teacher will help choose and adapt projects to your level.

  • A basic HTTP server returning text and JSON
  • An in-memory CRUD API and a database-backed user or product API
  • Search, filter and aggregation report endpoints
  • Registration, login, JWT-protected routes and admin/user permissions
  • A task-manager or e-commerce backend with a Postman collection and GitHub repository

Where could you go next?

Possible next steps to discuss once you're confident with this syllabus.

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Adapted for students and parents from the academy's module-wise syllabus. The downloadable PDF includes the original detailed teaching plan.

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