Module Information

Module Identifier
SEM2220
Module Title
Mobile Solutions
Academic Year
2013/2014
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
MEng final year students only
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 20 hours lectures
Practical 40 hours practicals
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Programming projects (50 hours):  3 practical assignments involving implementation of representative mobile systems. Each worth 20%  60%
Semester Assessment Case study analysis.  Essay discussing possible solutions to a practical mobile case study.(2000 words)  40%
Supplementary Assessment Resit failed examination and/or resubmission of failed/non-submitted coursework components or ones of equivalent value.  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the domain of mobile systems

2. Analyse and evaluate mobile solutions in a range of application areas and be able to critically evaluate their effectiveness.

3. Evaluate the social, legal, ethical and professional issues involved in implementing mobile applications.

4. Implement representative mobile systems

Aims

Mobile devices (phones, tablets and other handheld devices) are the fastest growing area of computing. Typical applications involve a wide range of software and system issues. This module will investigate those issues, giving students experience and understanding of the best ways of building different types of mobile applications.

Brief description

The module will explore the different ways in which people are using handheld devices such as phones and tablets, and the larger systems those devices are part of. The module will cover types of devices and users, building for the mobile web, building mobile apps, the importance of user interface issues, and the different kinds of trade offs that are made when building for mobile devices.

Content

1. Introduction. Scope of mobile systems, , mobile web, native apps, design choices, main platforms, overview of implications (2 lectures)

2. Mobile Web. Basic tools, responsive web, matching platform expectations, testing, delivery. (5 lectures plus practicals)

3. iOS native apps, Objective-C, relevant design patterns, platform design considerations, handling data, using sensors and location (5 lectures plus practicals)

4. Android native apps, relevant design patterns, platform design considerations, handling data, using sensors and location, handling device variation (5 lectures plus practicals)

5. Bringing it all together
Legal, social, ethical and professional issues. Selecting platforms and delivery methods, getting the interface right. (3 lectures)

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number The application of number is important in this area of information technology
Communication In Case study analysis
Improving own Learning and Performance The essay will encourage critical assessment.
Information Technology Information technology is central to this module
Personal Development and Career planning Gives students a broader understanding of the field
Problem solving In all assessments
Research skills In Case study analysis
Subject Specific Skills Design patterns, programming mobile systems, relevant legal, social and ethical knowledge and skills.
Team work

Reading List

Recommended Text
Firtman, Maximiliano R. (2012.) Programming the mobile web /Maximiliano Firtman. Note that you can obtain this online via Primo and its link to Dawsonera. 2nd ed. O'Reilly Primo search Lee, Wei-Meng. (c2012.) Beginning Android 4 Application Development /Wei-Meng Lee. John Wiley & Sons Primo search Neuburg, Matt. Programming iOS 6 /Matt Neuburg. Book on programming iOS applications. Useful for reference. 3rd edition. Primo search
Supplementary Text
Gardner, Lyza Danger. (2011.) Head first mobile web /by Lyza Danger Gardner, Jason Grigsby. O'Reilly Primo search
Consult For Futher Information
Nahavandipoor, Vandad. (c2013.) iOS 6 programming cookbookVandad Nahavandipoor. https://www.dawsonera.com/guard/protected/dawson.jsp?name=https://shibboleth.aber.ac.uk/shibboleth&dest=http://www.dawsonera.com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9781449342739 This is available as a printed book in the library and online via Primo. Useful for reference. O'Reilly

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7