Course syllabus for Mobile computing - Design and implementation

Course syllabus adopted 2019-02-20 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameMobile computing - Design och implementation
  • CodeCIU196
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPIDE
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyComputer Science and Engineering, Software Engineering
  • DepartmentCOMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 23121
  • Maximum participants50
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0112 Examination 3.5 c
Grading: TH		3.5 c
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0212 Project 4 c
Grading: TH		4 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

To be eligible for the course the student must have a Bachelor degree of 180 credits. Special requirements are TDA545 Object-oriented programming, 7.5 credits, and at least one of the courses DAT420 Human - computer interaction, TDA492 Graphical interfaces, DAT215 Design and implementation of graphical interfaces or equivalent.

Aim

After the course the students should be able to take an idea and turn it into a finished application, or an app as it is usually called. This includes both the design of the graphical interface and the interaction, as well as the implementation of the design.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Knowledge and understanding 
  • Describe how mobile applications differ from desktop applications (challenges and possibilities)
  • Describe principles for touch-input devices
  • Describe research trends in mobile computing, e.g. multimodal input and output 
  • List and use important guidelines for interaction with mobile devices 
  • List and use relevant frameworks simplifying implementation

Skills and abilities
  • Design the user experience for a mobile platform including both the interface and the interaction 
  • Use and modify standard components for user interface design
  • Select an appropriate architecture and a set of frameworks to implement an application
  • Work with state-of-the-art tools for development and user interface design
  • Implement the application by program development (coding)
  • Carry out an evaluation of the application (usability test)
Judgement and approach
  • Analyse existing mobile applications with focus on presentation and interaction
  • Choose and motivate design strategies in relation to the goals mentioned above
  • Choose and motivate appropriate implementation methods and frameworks for a given design

Content

The course deals with design and implementation for mobile computing. Motivational factors for design and research for mobile devices: small size, handheld, several sensors, and integrated actuators. Touch screen will be the main input channel discussed, but multimodal input/output is also covered (e.g. voice and haptics). Recent research results, design principles, various application areas for mobile computing, and example frameworks for development using state-of-the-art tools and methods will be covered.

Organisation

The course consists of lectures, exercises carried out in groups, and a final project carried out in groups where the aim is to come up with, design and implement a mobile computing application making use of many of the interaction possibilities available on a modern mobile computing device. An evaluation of the mobile computing application should also be carried out (usability test). 

Literature

See separate literature list.

Examination including compulsory elements

The course consists of two modules, namely: Exercises and group project 4 credits and Individual written home exam 3.5 credits. In order to pass the course, the student must do all exercises and deliver: - Group project (fail, 3, 4, 5) - Individual written home exam (fail, 3, 4, 5). The group project is examined via a written report and a demonstration of the project. If the project fails, the group gets one chance to improve it to the required level. In case a student misses the home exam, the student will have to retake a new home exam.