Backend Development and API Creation

Overview

Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Unlock the full potential of backend web development with this hands-on course focused on building robust APIs using the MERN stack. You’ll start by learning how to architect scalable server-side applications, integrate secure authentication, and connect to cloud databases with MongoDB. By the end of the course, you’ll have built a fully functional backend API, complete with user authentication and profile management. The journey begins with an introduction to the course structure and project overview. You'll set up your development environment, laying the groundwork for your backend application. In the following module, you’ll dive into configuring MongoDB Atlas, setting up Express.js, and establishing connections using Mongoose. These foundational skills will enable you to create structured, scalable APIs. Next, the course explores the intricacies of user authentication and API security. You'll implement JWT authentication, build user registration and login routes, and design middleware to secure protected endpoints. Moving forward, you'll develop a complete user profile management system, including the ability to add work experience, education, and GitHub repositories—solidifying your understanding of CRUD operations and external API integration. This course is ideal for aspiring backend developers, full-stack developers, or frontend engineers seeking to expand their backend knowledge. A basic understanding of JavaScript and Node.js is recommended. This is an Intermediate level course designed for learners ready to move beyond beginner tutorials.

Syllabus

Introduction

In this module, we will introduce you to the course, walk through the project you'll be building, and get your development environment ready. You'll gain an overview of the backend tech stack and understand what to expect in upcoming sections.

Express & MongoDB Setup

In this module, we will lay the technical foundation for our API by setting up MongoDB Atlas, installing necessary dependencies, and initializing an Express.js server. We'll also structure our project for scalability using routers and best practices.

User API Routes & JWT Authentication

In this module, we will build out the user authentication system, covering everything from model creation and data validation to secure token-based login. You'll also learn to protect routes using JSON Web Tokens and middleware logic.

Profile API Routes

In this module, we will focus on building the profile section of the API, allowing users to create, update, and manage their personal information. You’ll also learn how to handle nested data structures and connect with third-party APIs like GitHub.