EC301: Software Systems & Architecture Thinking

From Functions to Platforms

Think like the person who decides how everything fits together

What You Master

• Modularization, boundaries, contracts
• Layered architectures, hexagonal thinking
• APIs, queues, events, distributed cooperation
• Observability, reliability, cognitive ergonomics for teams
• Documenting architecture for humans + AI agents

Modules

1. Systems as Conversations
2. Interfaces & Contracts
3. Service Decomposition Patterns
4. Distributed Design (queues, streams, consistency)
5. Human Factors in System Design

Outcomes

• Whiteboard architectures with confidence
• Map business goals → system requirements
• Build hackathon projects that feel senior-level

Connections

• Builds on EC201 & EC103
• Essential for EC302, EC402

Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Time: 14+ hours | Prereqs: EC201, EC103