CE881-7-AU-CO:
Mobile and Social Application Programming

The details
2024/25
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
21 February 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MSC G40012 Advanced Computer Science,
MSC G400CH Advanced Computer Science,
MSC G61012 Computer Games,
MSC G456N1 Computing,
MSC G456N4 Computing,
MSCIG402 Computer Science,
MSCII100 Computer Science (Integrated Masters, Including Placement Year)

Module description

A huge industry has grown up in the last few years delivering a wide range of apps for mobile devices, including application areas such as games, social networking, information, and productivity. The purpose of this module is to teach the main aspects of programming applications for such devices.


Given the power of modern mobile devices coupled with their range of inputs (audio, camera, GPS, motion sensor, touchscreen) this creates an exceptionally interesting platform to develop applications for.


Furthermore, these platforms come complete with their own marketplaces meaning that successful applications can achieve a large market share based largely on their merit.


Such a course could be taught at an abstract level, independent of the particular type of device in question, but the approach taken in this module is to explore one particular platform (Android), in a hands-on and in-depth manner.


This is a popular platform with a range of excellent devices (including low cost ones) from a variety of manufacturers. The platform is well designed and well documented, and has the significant advantage of being Kotlin based, meaning that students can get up to speed relatively quickly using the Google preferred state of the art programming language and concentrate on the interesting issues involved in developing a high-quality app without having to learn a new language from scratch.


The differences and conversions between Java and Kotlin are introduced and students will quickly realise and grasp the benefits of being knowledgable in both languages.

Module aims

The aim of this module is to teach the main aspects of programming applications for mobile devices.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the business models behind mobile and social applications and the issues involved in publishing an app for a mobile platform

2. Demonstrate an ability to use the main elements of the Android API

3. Implement mobile applications that connect with social networking sites

4. Utilise appropriate date persistence mechanisms

5. Design and implement a non-trivial Android app

Module information

Outline Syllabus

HelloAndroid: Android SDK, using an IDE, Application Structure, XML descriptors, Intents, Activities, Fragments, Tasks. Resources and context, components and lifecycles, packaging an Android app, porting apps to Android.

GUI Building: main elements of Android GUIs and interactions between the GUI and the application.

Graphics: writing interactive graphics applications with fast and smooth animation for applications such as games.

Handling and persisting data: SQLite, JSON, binary serialization, XML serialization.

Developing and exploring content providers: defining a public content provider API, implementing a content provider, content observation, declaring a content provider. Using and exploring an existing content provider. Integrating with social networking sites.

Rich applications: multimedia, handling audio and video. Location-based applications, GPS, integration with mapping services such as Google maps. Utilising sensor inputs: audio, camera, gesture, motion (tilt, accelerometer).

Google Play Store: deploying an app to the market, maintaining and updating an app, utilising feedback from users. Charging for apps. Using advertisement APIs. Internationalisation.

Learning and teaching methods

Lectures & laboratories

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non - essential items, please refer to the module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Progress Test (In person, MCQ Moodle Test, Closed Book)     10% 
Coursework   Work Presentation    10% 
Coursework   Assignment 1 – Android App Design & Report  30/10/2024  20% 
Coursework   Assignment 2 – Create Android App  12/12/2024  35% 
Coursework   App Report  12/12/2024  25% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Michael Walton, email: m.walton@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Michael Walton
School Office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770

 

Availability
Yes
No
Yes

External examiner

Dr MARJORY CRISTIANY Da COSTA ABREU
Sheffield Hallam University
Senior Lecturer
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 22 hours, 7 (31.8%) hours available to students:
13 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
2 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)

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