Mobile app development Code:  22.603    :  6
View general information   Description   The subject within the syllabus as a whole   Professional fields to which it applies   Prior knowledge   Information prior to enrolment   Learning objectives and results   Content   View the UOC learning resources used in the subject   Guidelines on assessment at the UOC   View the assessment model  
This is the course plan for the first semester of the academic year 2024/2025. To check whether the course is being run this semester, go to the Virtual Campus section More UOC / The University / Programmes of study section on Campus. Once teaching starts, you'll be able to find it in the classroom. The course plan may be subject to change.
This course presents the fundamentals of mobile app development. You will learn to use the tools, programming languages and libraries needed to design, develop and test mobile apps. 

Even though many concepts are applicable to several mobile ecosystems, the course mainly focuses on the development of native Android apps using the Kotlin programming language.

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This mandatory course requires prior knowledge in a variety of fields: object-oriented programming, software design patterns, databases and networking. As a result, it should only be enrolled by students who are in their final semesters in the degree. 

As this is the only course within the bachelor's degree that targets mobile apps, it does not require previous knowledge on mobile app technology. After the course, students interested in this field can develop a mobile app development as their Final project of the degree.

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This course prepares you to take a position as a mobile app developer for native Android apps. Android app developers are highly sought-after professionals.

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This course requires previous knowledge about object-oriented programming and design (Software Design Patterns), database usage (Introduction to databases) and basic networking principles (Network and Internet apps). It is not necessary to have previous knowledge about Kotlin or Android, as those are introduced from scratch.

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Before enrolling this course, you should have completed the following courses: Software Design Patterns, Introduction to Databases  and  Network and Internet applications.

While not required, having access to an Android mobile device (smartphone or tablet) to test your applications is desirable.

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This course considers the following specific objectives:

  • Being able to understand the mobile ecosystem and know the platforms, technologies and key players in the mobile industry.
  • Being able to install and use an IDE (integrated development environment) for mobile app development (Android Studio).
  • Being able to code using a programming language for developing native mobile apps (Kotlin).
  • Being able to design the architecture of a mobile app (activities, fragments, intents).
  • Being able to design the user interface of a mobile app (layouts, views).
  • Being able to develop the front-end of a simple mobile app.
  • Being able to debug and test mobile apps.
  • Being able to design how events are managed within the mobile app.
  • Being able to use database managers for mobile apps (Room, SQLite).
  • Being able to use platform-independent technologies for storing and exchanging data (JSON, XML).
  • Being able to use different strategies and frameworks for cross-platform mobile app development.
  • Being able to use an external back-end provider (Firebase).
  • Being able to connect the front-end of your mobile app to a back-end.
  • Being able to develop a custom proprietary back-end.
  • Being able to add notifications to a mobile app. 
  • Being able to use external libraries and APIs for adding features to a mobile app (e.g. maps).

Moreover, this course covers the following competencies of the bachelor's degree:

  • Adapt to new software development technologies and to future environments, updating professional skills.
  • Design and build computer applications using development, integration and reuse techniques.
  • Develop cross-platform applications.

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The contents of the course are presented in a wiki with the following sections:
  1. Introduction to app development
  2. Android Studio
  3. Kotlin
  4. Architecture of an Android app
  5. Layouts and views
  6. Debugging and testing apps
  7. Advanced Kotlin features
  8. Events
  9. Local data persistence
  10. Concurrent programming
  11. Back-end
  12. Services
  13. Notifications
  14. Maps and positioning

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Wiki (Challenges 1, 2, 3, 4) Web

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Assessment at the UOC is, in general, online, structured around the continuous assessment activities, the final assessment tests and exams, and the programme's final project.

Assessment activities and tests can be written texts and/or video recordings, use random questions, and synchronous or asynchronous oral tests, etc., as decided by each teaching team. The final project marks the end of the learning process and consists of an original and tutored piece of work to demonstrate that students have acquired the competencies worked on during the programme.

To verify students' identity and authorship in the assessment tests, the UOC reserves the right to use identity recognition and plagiarism detection systems. For these purposes, the UOC may make video recordings or use supervision methods or techniques while students carry out any of their academic activities.

The UOC may also require students to use electronic devices (microphones, webcams or other tools) or specific software during assessments. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that these devices work properly.

The assessment process is based on students' individual efforts, and the assumption that the student is the author of the work submitted for academic activities and that this work is original. The UOC's website on academic integrity and plagiarism has more information on this.

Submitting work that is not one's own or not original for assessment tests; copying or plagiarism; impersonation; accepting or obtaining any assignments, whether for compensation or otherwise; collaboration, cover-up or encouragement to copy; and using materials, software or devices not authorized in the course plan or instructions for the activity, including artificial intelligence and machine translation, among others, are examples of misconduct in assessments that may have serious academic and disciplinary consequences.

If students are found to be engaging in any such misconduct, they may receive a Fail (D/0) for the graded activities in the course plan (including final tests) or for the final grade for the course. This could be because they have used unauthorized materials, software or devices (such as artificial intelligence when it is not permitted, social media or internet search engines) during the tests; copied fragments of text from an external source (the internet, notes, books, articles, other students' work or tests, etc.) without the corresponding citation; purchased or sold assignments, or undertaken any other form of misconduct.

Likewise and in accordance with the UOC's academic regulations, misconduct during assessment may also be grounds for disciplinary proceedings and, where appropriate, the corresponding disciplinary measures, as established in the regulations governing the UOC community (Normativa de convivència).

In its assessment process, the UOC reserves the right to:

  • Ask students to provide proof of their identity as established in the UOC's academic regulations.
  • Ask students to prove the authorship of their work throughout the assessment process, in both continuous and final assessments, through a synchronous oral interview, of which a video recording or any other type of recording established by the UOC may be made. These methods seek to ensure verification of the student's identity, and their knowledge and competencies. If it is not possible to ensure the student's authorship, they may receive a D grade in the case of continuous assessment or a Fail grade in the case of the final assessment.

Artificial intelligence in assessments

The UOC understands the value and potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, but it also understands the risks involved if it is not used ethically, critically and responsibly. So, in each assessment activity, students will be told which AI tools and resources can be used and under what conditions. In turn, students must agree to follow the guidelines set by the UOC when it comes to completing the assessment activities and citing the tools used. Specifically, they must identify any texts or images generated by AI systems and they must not present them as their own work.

In terms of using AI, or not, to complete an activity, the instructions for assessment activities indicate the restrictions on the use of these tools. Bear in mind that using them inappropriately, such as using them in activities where they are not allowed or not citing them in activities where they are, may be considered misconduct. If in doubt, we recommend getting in touch with the course instructor and asking them before you submit your work.

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You can only pass the course if you participate in and pass the continuous assessment. Your final mark for the course will be the mark you received in the continuous assessment.

 

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