PHP & MySQL Server-Side Web Programming - Level 3 Course

The PHP & MySQL Server-Side Web Programming Course is designed for learners with a working knowledge of HTML & CSS and this highly-practical programming course will revolutionise the complexity of web pages that you can develop by adding back-end database functionality to your designs. The course uses “Learn-by-Example” methodology, with more than 300 coding examples provided, along with detailed explanations of the code.

The range of interesting PHP topics includes the specification of local and global variables, expressions, if…then…else statements, while, for, and do loops, functions, classes, objects, and arrays, built-in functions, including date and time functions, and file handling operations.

We investigate how to validate form data input by a user, how to elegantly handle errors, and a range of debugging tips, before we move on to examine database-driven websites and look at the basics of the Structured Query Language. We finish with an in-depth look at MySQL and gain plenty of hands-on experience, with a wide range of exercises and assignments.

We start the course by investigating the basics of the PHP language and move on to the more advanced aspects of the PHP language, together with a whole host of tips and tricks that are sure to improve your programming abilities. After exploring PHP, we investigate how PHP can interact with an SQL database, before moving on to reviewing the major features of the MySQL Relational Database Management System.

On successful completion of the course, students will receive the Distance Learning Centre Webmaster Diploma with feedback and analysis of your completed work, as well as an Open Awards Quality Endorsed Unit Course Certificate.

Based on the proven "learn by example” principle which, as the name implies, provides real-world examples to illustrate a particular topic or technique, the courses are delivered through our on-line training portal via a standard web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, or Safari.

The lesson notes are delivered through slides giving you the required information to work through each lesson and there are student files you will download to work on so you are putting into practice what you are learning. You will also be supported by a personal tutor who is available to provide feedback on your work at any time throughout the period of study.

Learners will need to have previous experience of HTML & CSS Programming. Students must also have: a working knowledge of using text editors or word processors; An understanding of your computer's operating system; A working knowledge of your email software and the ability to attach files to an email; A basic knowledge of file zipping software such as WinZip or 7-Zip; and Some experience of downloading and installing software packages from the web.

The course will give instructions for installing a local web server. The course is suitable for Windows or Mac operating systems and learners will require a minimum of 2GB disk space.

You can start this course at any time, and you would be registered for a one-year period. You also have access to a personal tutor who can be contacted by email. Your tutor is available to assist with any queries and to mark your assignments for the Awarding Body.

As the course is self-study, you can complete it as quickly as you like. Support extensions are available if students do not complete the course within the one-year period.

You will be assessed on the completed assignments contained in the course. The coursework will consist of programming assignments. Assignments are emailed back to the course tutor on completion of your training.

On successful completion of this course students will receive our PHP & MySQL Server-Side Web Programming Course Diploma with feedback on your work and providing the assignments have been completed to the required standards students will also receive a Level 3 Open Awards Quality Endorsed Unit Course Certificate with 8 Open Awards Credits.

The completion of this course alone does not lead to an Ofqual regulated qualification but may be used as evidence of knowledge and skills towards regulated qualifications in the future. To this end the learning outcomes of the course have been benchmarked at Level 3 against level descriptors published by Ofqual, to indicate the depth of study and level of difficulty involved in successful completion by the learner.

You can find further information on qualifications/certificates and their levels on the Ofqual's level descriptors page.

The certification is issued through Open Awards. Open Awards are an Awarding Body Organisation approved by Ofqual. Set up in 1981, Open Awards (Previously the North West Region of the National Open College Network - OCNNW) have been in business for over 30 years and are a not for profit organisation and a registered charity.