Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Smartphone Application Development
Module Code	EE310
School	School of Electronic Engineering
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

A smartphone is a mobile device that is capable of running advanced software applications. These applications can interface with the phone’s hardware to provide a range of different features e.g. network connectivity, multimedia acquisition and location based services. This module deals with the development of smartphone applications and is intended to provide the student with an introduction to the tools, techniques and programming concepts that are necessary to create bespoke software solutions for smartphone devices.

Learning Outcomes

1. Use the relevant software development kit (SDK) and application programming interfaces (APIs) to create applications for a particular smartphone device.
2. Understand the model-view-controller paradigm and use it to create event driven user interfaces for smartphone applications.
3. Develop applications that are capable of interfacing with smartphone hardware e.g. camera, compass, accelerometer and global positioning system (GPS) receiver.
4. Create network enabled applications for smartphone devices that are capable of connecting to the Internet and interacting with web services.
5. Develop smartphone applications with integrated support for multimedia and 2D/3D graphics.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	Module lectures
Lab	18	Module labs
Independent learning	83	Independent learning time
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to smartphones.
History, current smartphone devices & operating systems..

Introduction to the Android platform.
History of Android, the Dalvik virtual machine, the Android SDK, core Android APIs, Optional APIs..

Designing user interfaces.
Common widgets (Text inputs, buttons, checkboxes etc.), Layout managers, adapters, gestures, menus, dialogs..

Location based services.
Selecting a location provider, determining device location, tracking movement, proximity alerts, forward and reverse geocoding, creating map based activities..

Accessing Android hardware.
Controlling the camera and capturing images, using the accelerometer and compass, telephony and messaging, using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi..

Multimedia.
Working with still images, video and audio..

Data storage, retrieval, and sharing.
Saving and loading files, user preferences, databases and SQLite..

2D & 3D Graphics.
Canvas drawing, creating custom widgets, working with images, creating 3D graphics with OpenGL ES..

Networking.
Reading data from the Internet using HTTP, using threads for network interaction, calling web services..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Laboratory	Introduction to the Android SDK	5%	Week 2
Laboratory	Graphical user interfaces	5%	Week 3
Laboratory	Data/hardware access	5%	Week 4
Laboratory	Network programming	5%	Week 5
Laboratory	Multimedia and graphics	5%	Week 6
Laboratory	Location based services	5%	Week 7
In Class Test	The purpose of the class test is to evaluate the student’s understanding of the more theoretical aspects of the module. This class test will take the form of a paper based exam.	20%	Week 8
Project	The project, which is the final part of the assessment, will allow the student to demonstrate their understanding of the full range of topics covered in the course and in doing this the project facilitates a compressive assessment of the student’s skills in the area of smartphone application development.	50%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Robert Sadleir: 2010, EE310 Course Notes,
Google Inc.: 2010, The Android Developer's Guide,
Ed Burnette: 2010, Hello, Android: Introducing Google's Mobile Development Platform, Third, Pragmatic Bookshelf,
Shane Conder and Lauren Darcey: 2009, Android Wireless Application Development, Addison-Wesley Professional,
Frank Ableson, Charlie Collins and Robi Sen: 2009, Unlocking Android: A Developer’s Guide, Manning Publications,
Reto Meier: 2010, Professional Android 2 Application Development, Wrox,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

DME

B.Eng. in Digital Media Engineering

ECSA

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)