Deploying Serverless Applications in AWS Using the Serverless Application Model
Serverless architecture is reshaping how teams deploy at scale—but only if you know SAM inside out. This 89-minute course cuts through the noise and teaches you how to package, test, and deploy serverless applications using AWS’s native Infrastructure-as-Code framework, moving you from local sandbox to production confidence.
AIU.ac Verdict: Essential for backend engineers and DevOps practitioners who need to ship serverless workloads without wrestling with CloudFormation syntax. You’ll gain hands-on SAM deployment skills in under two hours. Note: assumes foundational AWS knowledge—if you’re new to Lambda or API Gateway, start with AWS fundamentals first.
What This Course Covers
You’ll work through SAM’s core building blocks: templates, local testing environments, and the SAM CLI toolchain. Expect practical walkthroughs on defining serverless resources declaratively, debugging locally before deployment, and integrating SAM into CI/CD pipelines. The course emphasises real-world patterns—API backends, event-driven functions, and resource permissions—rather than abstract theory.
Mark Hatch structures the material around actual deployment workflows: initialising SAM projects, validating templates, packaging artefacts for S3, and executing CloudFormation stack updates. You’ll see how SAM abstracts away boilerplate, reducing your Infrastructure-as-Code footprint compared to raw CloudFormation, and how to troubleshoot common deployment friction points.
Who Is This Course For?
Ideal for:
- Backend engineers adopting serverless: You’re moving Lambda functions into production and need a repeatable, version-controlled deployment model. SAM is your answer.
- DevOps/Platform engineers: You’re standardising serverless deployment across teams and need to teach others Infrastructure-as-Code discipline without CloudFormation complexity.
- AWS Solutions Architects: You’re designing serverless reference architectures and need to demonstrate deployment best practices to clients and internal stakeholders.
May not suit:
- AWS beginners: This assumes you’re comfortable with Lambda, API Gateway, and IAM roles. Start with AWS Fundamentals if you’re new to the platform.
- Container-first teams: If your strategy centres on ECS or Kubernetes, SAM won’t directly apply—though the Infrastructure-as-Code principles transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this course take?
1 hour 29 minutes. Realistic for a single sitting or two focused sessions. Hands-on labs are included, so budget extra time if you’re following along in your own AWS account.
Do I need AWS certification to take this?
No formal certification required, but you should have working knowledge of Lambda, API Gateway, and basic IAM. If you’re AWS-certified, you’re well-positioned.
Will this teach me CloudFormation?
SAM is built on CloudFormation, and you’ll understand the relationship, but this course focuses on SAM’s abstraction layer. For deep CloudFormation knowledge, pair this with a dedicated CloudFormation course.
Can I use SAM in production?
Absolutely. SAM is production-ready and widely used by enterprise teams. This course teaches patterns that scale from side projects to high-traffic applications.
Who is Mark Hatch?
A Pluralsight-vetted expert instructor (top 5.5% acceptance rate). His courses focus on practical AWS deployment workflows, not theoretical deep-dives.
Course by Mark Hatch on Pluralsight. Duration: 1h 29m. Last verified by AIU.ac: March 2026.
