Emerging Technologies (COMP 308)
An advanced exploration of emerging full-stack development technologies, modern software architectures, and artificial intelligence trends shaping contemporary software engineering.
Course Description
COMP 308 examines emerging application development technologies in the rapidly evolving software landscape. Students gain hands-on experience with modern full-stack frameworks, architectural styles for frontend and backend systems, and contemporary approaches to API design.
The course also introduces key advancements in artificial intelligence, including generative AI, and explores how these technologies are integrated into modern software systems to support automation, intelligent interaction, and data-driven decision making.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Compare and analyze emerging web and application development frameworks.
- Analyze functional programming concepts and differentiate them from other programming paradigms.
- Characterize emerging architectural trends in frontend and backend development, including modern stacks such as MERN and MEAN.
- Examine the role of NoSQL and document-oriented databases in modern web applications.
- Design, implement, and test modern full-stack applications using MERN technologies.
- Examine and apply contemporary architectural styles for API development.
- Examine the current state of artificial intelligence and summarize emerging applications, including generative AI and its impact on areas such as content creation, conversational systems, and decision support.
- Incorporate machine learning and generative AI models within full-stack applications to automate tasks such as data generation, predictive analytics, and personalized user interactions.
Further Learning – AI Frameworks and Technologies
The following tools, frameworks, and research organizations represent key platforms shaping modern artificial intelligence and emerging software systems.
Machine Learning & AI Frameworks
- TensorFlow – Open-source machine learning framework widely used in research and production.
- PyTorch – Flexible deep learning framework popular in research and experimentation.
- TensorFlow.js – JavaScript-based machine learning library for browser and server environments.
- Hugging Face Transformers – Pre-trained models and tools for natural language processing.
Generative AI & Agent Frameworks
- LangChain – Tools supporting the full lifecycle of AI agent development.
- LangGraph – Framework for building controllable and reliable agentic AI systems.
- Ollama – Tools for running large language models locally.
Research Organizations & Learning Resources
- OpenAI Research – Research advancing large-scale artificial intelligence.
- Anthropic – Research focused on safe and reliable AI systems.
- DeepLearning.AI – Online courses and resources led by AI researchers.
Quantum Computing Platforms
- Qiskit – Open-source quantum computing framework by IBM.
- Microsoft Quantum Development Kit – Tools and the Q# language for quantum application development.
Course Materials
Reference Textbooks
- Kumar, T. Fluent React. O'Reilly Media, 2024.
- Mezzarila, L. Building Micro-Frontends. O'Reilly Media, 2021.
- Banks, A., Porcello, E. Learning React (2nd ed.). O'Reilly Media, 2020.
- Cai, S., Bileschi, S., Nielsen, E. D., Chollet, F. Deep Learning with JavaScript. Manning Publications, 2020.
- Oshin, M., Campos, N. Learning LangChain. O’Reilly Media, 2025.