Mobile Application Design and Development

Increasingly, students are experiencing online components as part of their course delivery. Blended and online courses require specific skills and knowledge essential for student success in these environments. Significant emphasis is placed on the social aspects of learning, time management and study skills, socio-cultural aspects of learning, community building, group work and networking. The content is scaffolded using three delivery modes: face-to-face, blended and online. Students identify motivations for learning, understanding and level of ability, and self-directed learning competencies. Students also develop online communication skills, explore effective ways to communicate in an online environment, and learn how to give constructive and proactive feedback to others even when they do not share the same point of view.

Mobile Design Fundamentals-42 Hrs
Students are introduced to mobile design fundamentals and graphical user interface design tools. The design concepts include user interface visual elements, principles, accessibility, and usability. Students gain production experience and skills implementing mobile industry-standard graphics and design tools, which help them create effective interfaces for mobile-first web and mobile applications. Students apply hands-on learning with different software packages to create visual elements, icons, splash graphics, scalable vector graphic (SVG) animations and wireframes for mobile user interfaces.

Cross-Platform Web Design-56 Hrs
Technologies on the web evolve quickly. Every year brings new devices and with them new capabilities. These devices present many challenges and opportunities to web developers. Students review fundamentals of web development using hypertext markup language (HTML), and cascading style sheets (CSS), with a focus on developing responsive and mobile websites. Multiple IDEs are introduced and used to complete hands-on projects.

Cross-Platform Application Development I-70 Hrs
While developing native applications for mobile devices holds many advantages, not every application requires direct access to native capabilities and there are many ways web developers can build applications using the programming skills they already possess. Students use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build applications which can quickly be deployed to multiple mobile platforms, such as iPhone and Android. Designing to conserve battery life is introduced as a concept in this course. Using mobile marketplaces to publish and market applications is introduced.

Fundamentals of Computer Hardware and Networking-42 Hrs
Students learn how network-enabled devices communicate with each other, what protocols are and why they are important. Differences in desktop, laptop, and mobile device hardware, as well as some of the practical differences between the Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems are also exposed. Students work individually, as well as with other students to complete tasks.

Design Thinking-42 hrs
Human-centred approaches are among the best methods of generating innovative solutions for people at work, at home or within your community. Design thinking is a user-centred method of creative problem solving applicable any time you need to generate new ideas. It is about embracing mindset shifts and tackling problems from the user’s perspective. Students learn the five-step process while involving the user each step of the way. Through research discussions and analysis, students work, first independently, then with a team, to emphasize with their users, define a problem, and then ideate, prototype and test an original solution that places people at the heart of a challenge.

Communications I-42 Hrs
Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.

User Interface Design-42 Hrs
Students learn how to create functional, efficient and enjoyable interfaces. They gain an appreciation for the challenges of building websites and applications that remain functional across different devices and platforms. Usability that allows people to complete tasks on any device, any time, is emphasized. Focus is placed on practical application of students’ design software experience in the creation of mobile application interfaces.

Introduction to Object Oriented Programming-56 Hrs.
Students learn the fundamentals of object-oriented programming within the context of mobile application development. Emphasis is placed on the concepts of Classes, Encapsulation, Polymorphism and Inheritance. Concepts are taught while using multiple IDEs and multiple programming languages, in preparation for native mobile application development.

Cross-Platform Application Development II- 70 Hrs.
HTML-based web technologies, including a wide variety of Javascript toolkits and APIs, are used to create Hybrid Mobile applications that leverage native device capabilities. More advanced approaches to application development with Javascript are investigated. Designing to conserve battery life on mobile devices is emphasized.

Mobile API Development -70 Hrs.
Students enhance their JavaScript skills to become productive with Full-stack development. They use a hands-on approach to build APIs using Node.JS and a variety of tools, frameworks, libraries and packages. The creation of these modern APIs also requires the students to develop skills with persistent scalable database storage systems. Project work culminates with students creating APIs to be used with websites and mobile applications. Students work individually as well as with other students to complete tasks.

Technical Communication for Technicians-42 hrs
Clear, concise and detailed communication is essential for technical workplaces. Students plan and execute a variety of formal and informal visual, oral and written communication tasks. Exercises and activities foster confidence and competence in workplace communication.

User Experience Design-56 hrs.
Going beyond the basics of graphics and user interface fundamentals, students learn how to combine these elements to create intuitive, efficient and enjoyable products. Students are introduced to a user-centered approach to designing mobile applications. Students begin with user research and build toward creating interaction design specifications in the form of wireframe documents. Topics such as information architecture, navigation and orientation, and interaction design principles are discussed and applied.

Android Application Development- 70 hrs.
Students learn to develop mobile applications for the Android mobile platform. Students use the Android application programming interface (API) and Android software development kit (SDK) for hands-on development of deployable mobile applications. Designing to conserve battery life on mobile devices is emphasized.

Developing HTML5 Mobile Applications-70 hrs.
Students leverage acquired HTML5 and Javascript skills to create both web and hybrid apps. Students learn to develop web apps using modern Frameworks such as React, Angular JS, Vue, Backbone or Ember. Students also learn to develop hybrid apps using Frameworks such as Cordova, PhoneGap and React Native. The use of task automation and productivity tools is also explored. Hands-on development of applications for multiple platforms is the goal. Designing to conserve battery life on mobile devices is stressed.

IOS Development-70 hrs.
Students use the Swift language within the standard Mac OSX development environment to create native applications for the iPhone and iPad. Working together in teams, students build and test applications. User interface requirements and building for a better user experience is stressed.

Mobile Industry Trends-56 hrs.
This course investigates a variety of current topics related to the mobile industry and app development. While the specific course topics change each year to reflect technological developments in the industry, they can include recent trends in software development and testing, laws concerning data storage and privacy, new hardware technologies in mobile devices, sensor technology, Internet of Things, virtual and augmented reality, and cloud APIs.

Business for the Mobile Industry-42 hrs
The mobile landscape from a business point of view is discussed. Topics to be covered include business planning, revenue models, analytics, as well as other entrepreneurial skills. Students work together to explore the importance of networking within the context of mobile development projects.

Applied Project-84 hrs.
Working in teams, students experience the analysis, design, implementation, testing and deployment of a mobile solution for a real-world client. Important topics from throughout their program of study are applied in this course. Faculty advisors facilitate student teams to demonstrate their skills in the applied project. Student teams make a technical presentation to their faculty advisors and participate in a public showcase of projects.

Windows Development for Mobile-70 hrs.
Windows development can be accomplished through a variety of languages. Leveraging prior skills in creating mobile applications with object-oriented concepts, students focus on developing Windows mobile applications using XAML and C#. Designing to conserve battery life on mobile devices is stressed.