CQUniversity Unit Profile
COIT20270 App Development for Mobile Platforms
App Development for Mobile Platforms
All details in this unit profile for COIT20270 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit is devoted to the design and implementation of Android and iOS mobile applications. Native mobile programming languages will form the basis upon which programming techniques and design patterns will be developed for creating standalone applications. Commonly used mobile tools and frameworks for mobile application development are used. All stages of software development from the initial idea, through to development and testing will be covered. Consideration will be given to the business case from the developers' point of view. Some examination of how to market mobile apps is also undertaken. Research skills will be introduced as a means of keeping up to date with the changing mobile development landscape.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-Req: COIT20268 Responsive Web Design

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2020

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Portfolio
Weighting: 20%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
4. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Unit feedback

Feedback

Some content in the lecture material could be better explained.

Recommendation

Revision of powerpoint and lecture material to be done for the next offering.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Design and implement native mobile applications
  2. Describe and be able to develop critical parts of a native mobile system programming interface
  3. Use an integrated IDE to build, debug and test native mobile applications
  4. Determine the business impact of a given mobile solution and critically assess the implementation of an app and its likely marketability and profitability
  5. Critically analyse a research issue in mobile computing.

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is adopted by organisations, governments and individuals in many countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles.

ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile at https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html

This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA 7 (the SFIA code is included):

  • Systems Design (DESN)
  • System Integration (SINT)
  • Program ming/Software Development (PROG)
  • Data Analysis (DTAN)
  • Database/Repository Design (DBDS)
  • Testing (TEST)
  • Network Support (NTAS)
  • Release and Deployment (RELM)
  • Applications Support (ASUP)

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Portfolio - 20%
2 - Practical Assessment - 30%
3 - Practical Assessment - 30%
4 - Written Assessment - 20%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Portfolio - 20%
2 - Practical Assessment - 30%
3 - Practical Assessment - 30%
4 - Written Assessment - 20%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Beginning Android Programming with Android Studio

(2017)
Authors: J.F. DiMarzio
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Copies can be purchased from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Latest version Android Studio (with Marshmallow API 23) + 1 working AVD (virtual phone)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Colin Lemmon Unit Coordinator
c.lemmon@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Introduction to Android programming, activities, layouts and activity lifecycle

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 3rd ed, Chapter 1-3, 5 & 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Fragments, FragmentManager and RecyclerView

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 3rd ed, Chapter 7 & 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

.Layouts, widgets, toolbar, menu and debugging

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 3rd ed, Chapter 4, 9 & 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

ViewPager, Dialogs and fragment arguments

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 3rd ed, Chapter 11 & 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

SQLite, Implicit Intents and taking pictures

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 3rd ed, Chapter 14, 15 & 16

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Data binding, MVVM, styles, themes and XML drawables

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 3rd ed, Chapter 20, 22 & 23

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 1 due


Assignment 1 Due: Week 6 Monday (20 Apr 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

HTTP, background tasks, loopers, handlers and handler threads

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 3rd ed, Chapter 25 & 26.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 04 May 2020

Module/Topic

SearchView, background services and broadcast intents

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 3rd ed, Chapter 27, 28 & 29

Events and Submissions/Topic

Report due

Week 9 Begin Date: 11 May 2020

Module/Topic

Location and Play Services, Google Maps and application deployment

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 3rd ed, Chapter 33 & 34

Events and Submissions/Topic

Report Due: Week 9 Monday (11 May 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 18 May 2020

Module/Topic

Custom Views, drawables, animation and cross platform technologies

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 3rd ed, Chapter 31 & 32

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 25 May 2020

Module/Topic

Kotlin, Jetpack and Room

Chapter

Big Nerd Ranch Guide 4th ed

Events and Submissions/Topic

Portfolio due


Portfolio Due: Week 11 Friday (29 May 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Review

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assignment 2 due


Assignment 2 Due: Week 12 Friday (5 June 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

The previously prescribed textbook Beginning Android 4 Application Development can be used as reference but not essential.

The tutorial content is based upon Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide, Third Edition which is available to students through the library's online resources.

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Portfolio

Task Description

You are to submit weekly portfolio submissions as per the instructions on the unit Moodle site. The weekly portfolios will describe your understanding of the topic for the week, with relevant references and resources providing evidence of your understanding.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Friday (29 May 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Friday (12 June 2020)


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

Criteria Marks/week
Summarize weekly topic/s 1
Resource descriptions 0.5
Relevance and quality of resources 0.5
Total 2

 


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe and be able to develop critical parts of a native mobile system programming interface
  • Determine the business impact of a given mobile solution and critically assess the implementation of an app and its likely marketability and profitability


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Self-management

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignment 1

Task Description

This task requires the development of an Android mobile application using Android Studio and Java. The application will focus on basic programming techniques required to create a simple mobile application.

More details of this assignments will be provided in the Moodle course website.

The features of this mobile application will be extended in Assignment 2.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Monday (20 Apr 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Monday (4 May 2020)


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Component

Criteria

Marks

 

Page Layouts

 

Layouts

Options page

1

 

List Page

1

 

Details Page

1

 

Operation

 

Operation

Main page functions correctly

1

 

List Page functions correctly

2

 

Details Page including dialogs and menus functions correctly

3

 

All errors are caught, and appropriate messages displayed

1

 

Code

 

Fragments

Fragments used for list page and details page

3

List View

ListView, ViewHolder and Adapter implemented correctly

5

Resources

Resources (such as string resources) used wherever possible

1

Menu

Menu and items correct

1

SQLite Database

Items are loaded from the database on start-up

2

 

Details and edits are saved to the database

3

Dialogs

Dialog/s implemented correctly

2

Code Quality

Informative variable names, consistent indenting, adequate commenting, no more than one blank line between blocks of code

3

 

Total

30

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Design and implement native mobile applications
  • Use an integrated IDE to build, debug and test native mobile applications


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Report

Task Description

You are to write a report that critically evaluates one of the following areas

  • Challenges and advancements in cloud on mobile applications
  • Issues and challenges in mobile application security
  • Challenges and impact of changing technologies, languages and frameworks on mobile application development

See the Moodle course website for more information


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Monday (11 May 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Monday (25 May 2020)


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

This assignment will be assessed against the following criteria:

Criteria

Mark

Presentation

Structure, grammar, spelling

2

Introduction

Well defined and structured

3

Body

Backgound comprehensive and well explained

Current problems and challenges identified

Solutions identified and discussed

10

Conclusion

Summary well presented

Logical conclusions derived

2

References

Relevant and quality reference sources used

Referencing style correct

3

Total

20

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe and be able to develop critical parts of a native mobile system programming interface
  • Critically analyse a research issue in mobile computing.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management

4 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Assignment 2

Task Description

This assignment extends the features of the mobile application developed in assignment 1 using advanced features such as HTTP, threads and email.

More details of this assignments will be provided in the Moodle course website.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (5 June 2020) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Monday (1 June 2020)


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Component

Criteria

Marks

HTTP

Data retrieved from server

4

Threads

Appropriate thread type used for HTTP connection

3

Email

Email sent when specified

4

Coding Style

Appropriate naming conventions, adequate commenting, well formatted

4

Testing

Quality and evidence of testing

5

Business case

Quality of business case

10

 

Total

30

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Design and implement native mobile applications
  • Use an integrated IDE to build, debug and test native mobile applications
  • Determine the business impact of a given mobile solution and critically assess the implementation of an app and its likely marketability and profitability


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?