Mobile Application Development

 

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:

1.         Generalise competency in Mobile Development.

2.         Understand the difference between Desktop and Mobile Applications and its implications.

3.         Understand the benefits of Mobile Applications at both technical and business levels and identify applications that are best suited for mobile phones.

4.         Identify and compare existing technologies enabling the development of Mobile Applications

5.         Be familiar with the creation of effective user interfaces for mobile phones.

6.         Be familiar with the development workflow of mobile applications,

7.         Understand the structures (software and hardware) underpinning the design of mobile applications.

8.         Use object-oriented languages for the design of Mobile Applications

9.         Be able to reuse libraries for the design of mobile applications

10.     Be capable of designing and delivering a Mobile Application.

 

Syllabus Content:

Building on an undergraduate-level software development knowledge base, the central focus of the module is to enable the understanding and critical evaluation of Mobile Applications.

This module will allow to develop Mobile Applications with an emphasis on Java and Symbian devices. It will also draw a parallel between existing technologies.

 

Pre-requisites:

·         Basic understanding of computer architecture and of operating systems.

·         Programming experience in an Object Oriented Programming Language (graduate of a Honours BSc or BEng involving significant programming experience).

 

Indicative syllabus content:

1          Principles and Design

1.1   Introduction to Mobile Applications

- Characteristics

- Benefits

- Overview of Available Technologies

1.2   Mobile Application Design

-          Application Model and Infrastructure

-          Hardware and Software Architecture

-          Managing Resources

-          Development Workflow

 

2          Development of Mobile Applications with MIDP and Symbian

2.1   Mobile Graphics

- User Interface

- Scalable Vector Graphics

- Mobile 3D Graphics (M3G) API

2.2   Security

- Secure Design

- MIDP security features

- Security for Symbian OS

2.3   Networking

-          Basic Connectivity

-          Bluetooth Connectivity

-          Web Services

 

3          Technology Integration

Design, develop and deploy a commercial application for Mobile Phones.

 

 

Practical Programme:

This module has a strong emphasis on practical applications. Lectures will be used to introduce new topics and their related concepts. Computer based practicals will be used to illustrate principles introduced in the lectures.

Best practice in Object Oriented and Mobile Development will be introduced and tested in the submitted assignment.

Students will be required to submit one completed assignment. This assignment is to be presented by the students late in the module and expects students to develop a commercial Mobile Application. This assignment should show a good understanding of the design process and implementation of Mobile Application.