Module Description:

The purpose of this module is to provide a course on iOS development for devices such as the iPod, iPad and iPhone. The programme will provide students with the skills and knowledge required to take their app concepts to market by developing and releasing an app on the Apple app store. The course begins with a review of mobile technologies and trends and continues with an introduction to iPhone programming using the ObjectiveC language. The course concludes with the submission of an app to the app store, legal issues, marketing and support.

Module aim:

The aim of this module is for students to learn the fundamentals of iOS development for Apple devices.

Learning Outcomes:

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

a)    Demonstrate an understanding of the capabilities of a range of Apple devices such as the iPod, iPhone and iPad, with a view to future trends

b)    Demonstrate an understanding of the types of applications available on the iOS platform

c)    Understand the certification process involved in setting up Apple devices for debugging

d)    Be able to use the XCODE development environment to develop iPhone applications

e)    Develop Object Orientated solutions in Objective C

f)     Develop a cross platform user interface for a range of screen sizes using Interface Builder and the COCOA framework

g)    Develop a database using SQLITE and access that database to do insert, update and delete operations using the C API in iOS

h)    Use the Quartz framework to develop graphical applications such as games

i)     Submit an application to Apple for approval

Learning and Teaching Methods:

Students will learn through instructor led, interactive “studio classroom” sessions. In the studio classroom, students have access to hardware, software and development kits, so that material and examples can be examined in a live environment. In addition, students will be expected to proactively and independently seek out resources on the internet and from the library to supplement their own learning.

A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will be employed to distribute all teaching materials and to support student interaction with both other students and academic staff.

Module content:

Mobile applications and trends

Object Orientated programming using the Objective C language

Strings in Objective C

Memory management

COCOA Collections

Views

Quartz graphics programming

Geo and movement API

Publishing an App on the App store

Marketing, PR, legal and financial issues

Module Assessment:

This module has a 100% weighting for continuous assessment. A single assignment will require students to demonstrate their ability to implement the techniques learned on the course. Students will be required to project manage the development, deployment and marketing of a small app, with the goal of selling their app on the App Store.

Essential Reading: (author, date, title, publisher)

Alasdair Allan, Learning iPhone Programming: From Xcode to App Store, 1st ed. (O’Reilly Media, 2010).

Delivery Modes:

One week intensive course staring on the 24 January 2011.

One evening per week (3 hour class) for 12 weeks starting 1st February 2011

Two, 2 hour classes ( day times) per week for 12 weeks starting 1st February 2011

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Bryan Duggan

School of Computing
DIT Kevin St
Dublin 8

Phone: + 353 1 4024788
Email: bryan.duggan@dit.ie
Web: http://www.comp.dit.ie/bduggan