Course Syllabus
Overview
This course will focus on building applications for Android. Android is just a useful case study for the concerns involved in the design/implementation of modern applications. The concepts we cover in the course are broadly applicable to ios, web apps, and other types of user facing applications.
The high level goals/ideas we'll cover are:
* Managing State
* Event driven programming and Inversion of Control
* Persistence
* Asynchrony
* UI representation/design
* Reusability/Modularity/Testability
* Design Patterns
Throughout the course, we'll try to solve problems with a naive, "obvious" approach, and then refine solution to use common design patterns which avoid potential pitfalls.
The course is designed around a big team project. You'll be working in teams of 3 for the project and will be be evaluated several times during the semester.
Additionally, there will be several shorter assignment that use course concepts in a smaller app
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Build software using the basics of mobile app development, including event-driven programming and the app lifecycle.
- Recognize and use design patterns and tools specific to a mobile-app platform; on Android, for example, these include the Model-View-ViewModel pattern and the tenets of material design.
- Create apps that interact with both local and external events and services, such as sensors and dynamic cloud storage.
- Work in teams and deliver polished products, despite being given vague client requirements.
- Continually add code and features to an existing app and improve its implementation through high-level refactoring.
- Present designs and code to both informed and uninformed audiences.
Textbook
None required.
Schedule
The course meets Tuesday, Thursday, 12:25-1:45PM in JFB 103 (https://map.utah.edu/index.html?code=JFB Links to an external site.)
Course Staff
Instructor: Ben Jones
Email: benjones@cs.utah.edu
Office: MEB 3268
Office hours: M/W 3-4PM, Tuesday 10-noon
TAs with office hours (CADE Lab Links to an external site.):
Khushal Dodeja. email: u1469556@utah.edu, office hours: Monday 10 AM to 12 PM, Thursday 3 PM to 6 PM Github: KhushalDodeja
Vikas Chowdary. email: u1471521@utah.edu , office hours: Tuesday 3 PM to 5 PM and Wednesday 10 AM to 1 PM, GitHub: https://github.com/vikaskommalapati4600 Links to an external site.
Grade breakdown
15% each midterm and final exam
30% individual projects
40% team project
The midterm exam will be in class on Tuesday, Feb 25.
The final exam will be Friday, April 25, 10:30AM - 12:30PM as per the university schedule, in our regular classroom.
If you have conflicts with these exam times, reach out ASAP!
I want to give you an opportunity to complete assignments with work you're proud of. To that end, the late policy is 10% off per day late for the first 3 days.
Reach out to me if there are circumstances that prevent you from doing your best work and I'll try to make appropriate accommodations. The earlier you can let me know, the better.
Course Policies
KSoC policies, including academic misconduct policies can be found here: https://handbook.cs.utah.edu Links to an external site.
COE policies can be found here: https://www.coe.utah.edu/students/current/semester-guidelines Links to an external site.
AI tools
At this point in your education, we expect that you're capable programmers, and want to give you the opportunity to use "real world tools." The use of Github copilot for "code completion" is allowed in this course IF THE FOLLOWING CONDITION IS MET. In any commit that has code written with the help of Copilot is, your commit message must contain a discussion of what code Copilot helped with.
If you use ChatGPT or similar tools, cite your usage like you would any other external resource.
The use of AI tools without following the above conditions is considered academic misconduct as you are present working which was not written by you as your own.
Mandatory Institutional Policies for Syllabi
Copy the text below and paste into your syllabus document.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities.
All written information in this course can be made available in an alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability & Access Links to an external site. (CDA). CDA will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. Prior notice is appreciated. To read the full accommodations policy for the University of Utah, please see Section Q of the Instruction & Evaluation regulations.
In compliance with ADA requirements, some students may need to record course content. Any recordings of course content are for personal use only, should not be shared, and should never be made publicly available. In addition, recordings must be destroyed at the conclusion of the course.
If you will need accommodations in this class, or for more information about what support they provide, contact:
Center for Disability & Access
801-581-5020
disability.utah.edu
65 Student Services Building
201 S 1460 E
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Safety at the U
The University of Utah values the safety of all campus community members. You will receive important emergency alerts and safety messages regarding campus safety via text message. For more safety information and to view available training resources, including helpful videos, visit safeu.utah.edu.
To report suspicious activity or to request a courtesy escort, contact:
Campus Police & Department of Public Safety
801-585-COPS (801-585-2677)
dps.utah.edu
1735 E. S. Campus Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Addressing Sexual Misconduct
Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender (which includes sexual orientation and gender identity/expression) is a civil rights offense subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, color, religion, age, status as a person with a disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information.
If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you are encouraged to report it to university officials:
Title IX Coordinator & Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
801-581-8365
oeo.utah.edu
135 Park Building
201 Presidents' Cir.
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Office of the Dean of Students
801-581-7066
deanofstudents.utah.edu
270 Union Building
200 S. Central Campus Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
To file a police report, contact:
Campus Police & Department of Public Safety
801-585-COPS (801-585-2677)
dps.utah.edu
1735 E. S. Campus Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
If you do not feel comfortable reporting to authorities, the U's Victim-Survivor Advocates provide free, confidential, and trauma-informed support services to students, faculty, and staff who have experienced interpersonal violence.
To privately explore options and resources available to you with an advocate, contact:
Center for Campus Wellness
801-581-7776
wellness.utah.edu
350 Student Services Building
201 S. 1460 E.
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Academic Misconduct
It is expected that students comply with University of Utah policies regarding academic honesty, including but not limited to refraining from cheating, plagiarizing, misrepresenting one’s work, and/or inappropriately collaborating. This includes the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools without citation, documentation, or authorization. Students are expected to adhere to the prescribed professional and ethical standards of the profession/discipline for which they are preparing. Any student who engages in academic dishonesty or who violates the professional and ethical standards for their profession/discipline may be subject to academic sanctions as per the University of Utah’s Student Code: Policy 6-410: Student Academic Performance, Academic Conduct, and Professional and Ethical Conduct.
Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on an individual assignment, and/or failure in the course. Academic misconduct, according to the University of Utah Student Code:
“...Includes, but is not limited to, cheating, misrepresenting one’s work, inappropriately collaborating, plagiarism, and fabrication or falsification of information…It also includes facilitating academic misconduct by intentionally helping or attempting to help another to commit an act of academic misconduct.”
For details on plagiarism and other important course conduct issues, see the U's Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Mon Jan 13, 2025 | Assignment Assignment 0: Github setup | due by 11:59pm |
| Thu Jan 23, 2025 | Assignment Assignment 1: Hello Android | due by 11:59pm |
| Thu Feb 6, 2025 | Assignment Group project: Phase 0.5 | due by 11:59pm |
| Fri Feb 7, 2025 | Assignment Assignment 2: Contact List App | due by 11:59pm |
| Thu Feb 20, 2025 | Assignment Group project: Phase 1 | due by 11:59pm |
| Tue Feb 25, 2025 | Assignment Midterm Exam | due by 1:30pm |
| Fri Mar 7, 2025 | Assignment Phase 1 Checkin | due by 11:59pm |
| Fri Mar 21, 2025 | Assignment Assignment 3: Fun Facts | due by 11:59pm |
| Fri Mar 28, 2025 | Assignment Group Project: Phase 2 | due by 11:59pm |
| Mon Apr 14, 2025 | Assignment Assignment 4: "Marble Game" | due by 11:59pm |
| Mon Apr 28, 2025 | Assignment Optional presentation | due by 11:59pm |