Software Architecture (Coursera)

Offered by University of Alberta,
Software Architecture (Coursera)

The way that software components — subroutines, classes, functions, etc. — are arranged, and the interactions between them, is called architecture. In this course you will study the ways these architectures are represented, both in UML and other visual tools. We will introduce the most common architectures, their qualities, and tradeoffs. We will talk about how architectures are evaluated, what makes a good architecture, and an architecture can be improved. We'll also talk about how the architecture touches on the process of software development.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

In the Capstone Project you will document a Java-based Android application with UML diagrams and analyze evaluate the application’s architecture using the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM).
After completing this course, you will be able to:
• Compare and contrast the components, connections, protocols, topologies, constraints, tradeoffs, and variations of different types of architectural styles used in the design of applications and systems (e.g., main program and subroutine, object-oriented, interpreters, pipes and filters, database centric, event-based).
• Describe the properties of layered and n-tier architectures.
• Create UML ipackage, component, and deployment diagrams to express the architectural structure of a system.
• Explain the behaviour of a system using UML activity diagrams.
• Document a multi-application system with a layered architecture.

Course 3 of 4 in the Software Design and Architecture Specialization

Syllabus

WEEK 1
UML Architecture Diagrams
In this module you will learn about software architecture. You will learn why architecture is important, what perspectives need to be considered, and how to communicate architecture using UML.

WEEK 2
Architectural Styles
Software comes in all shapes and sizes. The architecture you choose will affect every part of your software, from its security and efficiency, to its modularity and maintainability. In this module we will examine the different architectures that you have to choose from to shape your software.

WEEK 3
Architecture in Practice
The architecture is the most fundamental aspect of software. You will learn how development teams describe architectures, plan successful architectures based on quality attributes, and evaluate the resulting architecture. You will also learn how architecture relates to organization structure and even product planning!

WEEK 4
Capstone Challenge
Now, in the final module of the course, you will evaluate the proposed architecture to extend the functionality of the example Android code base.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

The Raspberry Pi Platform and Python Programming for the Raspberry Pi (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

The Raspberry Pi Platform and Python Programming for the Raspberry Pi (Coursera)

The Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable single-board computer that you will use to design and develop fun and practical IoT devices while learning programming and computer hardware. In addition, you will learn how to set up up the Raspberry Pi environment, get a Linux operating system running, and write and execute some basic Python code on the Raspberry Pi. You will also learn how to use Python-based IDE (integrated development environments) for the Raspberry Pi and how to trace and debug Python code on the device.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Software Architecture for the Internet of Things (Coursera) Coursera
EIT Digital

Software Architecture for the Internet of Things (Coursera)

This course will teach you how to design futureproof systems that meet the requirements of IoT systems: systems that are secure, interoperable, modifiable and scalable. Moreover, you'll learn to apply best-in-class software architecture methods to help you design complex IoT and other applications. Lastly, you'll come to understand the business impact of the technical decisions that you make as an IoT system architect.

Jun 8th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Writing Java Application Code (Coursera) Coursera
LearnQuest

Writing Java Application Code (Coursera)

This is the third course in a Specialization titled Java as a Second Language. This course presents instruction to IT professionals for developing Java applications. The material targets professional that are familiar with application programming, but do not have strong Java skills. The type of Java applications focus on: Console based Java applications, Java windows applications, and Java web and mobile applications. This course presents material on developing real applications, and includes hands-on application development labs. Learners will gain strong Java application development skills.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Mastering the Software Engineering Interview (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Mastering the Software Engineering Interview (Coursera)

You’ve hit a major milestone as a computer scientist and are becoming a capable programmer. You now know how to solve problems, write algorithms, and analyze solutions; and you have a wealth of tools (like data structures) at your disposal. You may now be ready for an internship or (possibly) an entry-level software engineering job. But can you land the internship/job? It depends in part on how well you can solve new technical problems and communicate during interviews. How can you get better at this? Practice!

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Java Programming: Principles of Software Design (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

Java Programming: Principles of Software Design (Coursera)

Solve real world problems with Java using multiple classes. Learn how to create programming solutions that scale using Java interfaces. Recognize that software engineering is more than writing code - it also involves logical thinking and design. By the end of this course you will have written a program that analyzes and sorts earthquake data, and developed a predictive text generator.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Object Oriented Programming in Java (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Object Oriented Programming in Java (Coursera)

Welcome to our course on Object Oriented Programming in Java using data visualization. People come to this course with many different goals -- and we are really excited to work with all of you! Some of you want to be professional software developers, others want to improve your programming skills to implement that cool personal project that you’ve been thinking about, while others of you might not yet know why you’re here and are trying to figure out what this course is all about.

Jun 8th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Peer-to-Peer Protocols and Local Area Networks (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Peer-to-Peer Protocols and Local Area Networks (Coursera)

In this course, we discuss peer-to-peer protocols and local area networks. Part one in this course is to answer the question of how does a peer-to-peer protocol deliver reliable data transfer service across unreliable transmission lines or networks. We focus on several medium access control protocols and their performance analysis. In the second part, we discuss how medium access control protocols coordinate the access to the communication channel so that information gets through from a source to a destination in the same broadcast local area network. We further discuss local area network and wireless LAN.

Jun 8th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Client Needs and Software Requirements (Coursera) Coursera
University of Alberta

Client Needs and Software Requirements (Coursera)

This course covers practical techniques to elicit and express software requirements from client interactions. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: Create clear requirements to drive effective software development; visualize client needs using low-fidelity prototypes; maximize the effectiveness of client interactions - adapt to changing product requirements.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Software Design Methods and Tools (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado System

Software Design Methods and Tools (Coursera)

Since many software developers are compulsive coders, they have created software over the years to help them do their job. There are tools which make design and its associated tasks easier. The course introduces some basic tools and techniques to help you with design. Tools aren’t always tangible, however. The last two lessons of this course discuss questions of Ethics in software development. The purpose here is, as with tools, to equip you to better carry our your responsibilities as a designer. Students will be required to have a prior knowledge of writing and delivering software and some programming knowledge in java.

Jun 8th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Games, Sensors and Media (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Games, Sensors and Media (Coursera)

You will learn to make fluid digital interactive experiences that are suitable for gaming and use the advanced sensor hardware built into the iPhone and iPad. This includes drawing 2D graphics, playing sounds and music, integrating with Game Center, the iOS physics engine and detecting device orientation and location.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Software Processes and Agile Practices (Coursera) Coursera
University of Alberta

Software Processes and Agile Practices (Coursera)

This course delves into a variety of processes to structure software development. It also covers the foundations of core Agile practices, such as Extreme Programming and Scrum. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: distinguish between different process models for organizing software production; gauge the applicability of process models for a software development project; apply the fundamentals of Agile software development and management practices.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Agile Planning for Software Products (Coursera) Coursera
University of Alberta

Agile Planning for Software Products (Coursera)

This course covers the techniques required to break down and map requirements into plans that will ultimately drive software production. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: create effective plans for software development; map user requirements to developer tasks; assess and plan for project risks; apply velocity-driven planning techniques; generate work estimates for software products.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks