Tech Foundations & System Design For Non-Engineers

Understand how modern apps really work — from web basics to system design — without writing code.

What you'll learn

Understand how the web really works — from typing a URL to how frontend and backend systems communicate.

Explain the role of core technologies like APIs, databases, caching, CDNs, and load balancers in modern applications.

Differentiate between system design trade-offs (e.g., CAP theorem, SQL vs NoSQL) and know when each approach is used.

Communicate effectively with engineers — gain the vocabulary and mental models to participate confidently in technical discussions.

Apply knowledge in a real-world case study by designing a high-level architecture for WhatsApp, tying all the concepts together.

Requirements

No programming experience is required — this course is designed to be beginner-friendly.

A basic familiarity with using websites, apps, or digital tools will help put concepts into context.

Curiosity about how technology works under the hood — especially if you’re a PM, BA, designer, analyst, or anyone working with engineers.

An open mindset to connect technical ideas with real-world business problems.

Description

*This course contains the use of artificial intelligence.Are you a Product Manager, Business Analyst, Designer, or professional working alongside engineers but feel lost when technical conversations begin?You’re not alone. Most business and product professionals were never taught how technology actually works. Yet in today’s world, every career touches technology. Whether you’re building products, analyzing requirements, designing user experiences, or even running your own startup - your ability to understand and talk about systems can make or break your success. And with the rise of AI transforming every industry, understanding the foundations of how systems work is no longer optional, it’s essential.This course was built for you.Tech Foundations & System Design for Non-Engineers will take you behind the curtain of modern applications. You’ll see how all the pieces from web browsers and servers to APIs, databases, and scaling strategies actually fit together.But this isn’t about turning you into a software engineer. It’s about giving you the mental models to:Confidently discuss technical concepts with engineers and stakeholders.Ask smarter questions in meetings and workshops.Evaluate technical trade-offs when planning features or products.Understand how performance, scalability, and reliability affect the user experience.Spot risks early in product discussions before they turn into costly problems.You’ll learn by following a natural flow, starting with the basics of how computers and the web work, then moving into how modern systems are designed and scaled. Along the way, you’ll practice applying these ideas to real-world scenarios. By the end, we’ll tie it all together with a full system design exercise: building a simplified version of WhatsApp.Imagine walking away from this course being able to say:“I understand why we’d use caching or a CDN to improve speed.”“I know what CAP theorem trade-offs mean in a real system.”“I can explain the difference between APIs and databases without needing a developer to translate.”“I can see how scaling decisions connect back to business goals.”That’s the power of this course.Whether you’re a Product Manager, Business Analyst, Designer, Entrepreneur, or career-changer, this program will give you the confidence to participate fully in technical conversations and even lead them.Stop feeling like a spectator in tech discussions. Start thinking like someone who understands how systems really work.This course is your shortcut to becoming tech fluent — no coding required.

Overview

Section 1: Foundations of Computing and the Web

Lecture 1 How Computers Work — High-Level Architecture

Lecture 2 What Happens When You Visit a Website

Lecture 3 HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Basics

Section 2: System Design Fundamentals

Lecture 4 High-Level Architecture of a Modern App

Lecture 5 The Pillars of System Design

Lecture 6 CAP Theorem and Key Constraints

Section 3: Networking Essentials

Lecture 7 Networking Basics (IP, TCP/UDP, DNS recap)

Lecture 8 Application Layer Protocols (HTTP, WebSockets, SMTP, etc.)

Section 4: APIs — The Glue of Modern Systems

Lecture 9 API Design (Requests, Responses, Endpoints)

Lecture 10 API Use Cases (Types, Patterns, Practical Applications)

Section 5: Scaling Systems

Lecture 11 Caching and CDNs (Reducing Latency, Improving Speed)

Lecture 12 Load Balancing (Distributing Traffic for Reliability and Scale)

Lecture 13 Database Essentials (SQL, NoSQL, Scaling, Replication, Sharding, Performance)

Section 6: Capstone Project — Real System Design

Lecture 14 Designing a Chat Service like WhatsApp (End-to-End Walkthrough)

Product Managers and aspiring PMs who need to understand how features map to technical architecture.,Business Analysts who translate business needs into technical requirements.,Designers (UX/UI) who want context on how frontend and backend systems interact.,Startup founders, career switchers, or tech-curious professionals looking to build a strong foundation in how modern applications are designed.