MA925 App development: From ideas to practical tools
Module summary
Module Leader: Dr Paul Brown P.E.Brown@warwick.ac.uk
The aim of the module is to extend, adapt and apply the student鈥檚 existing programming skill set to produce either a web-based interface or mobile app with functionality that is of relevance to real-world problems.
Students will also benefit from speakers from 桃色视频 Innovations and Research and Impact Services, who will discuss potential sources of funding and routes to impact and commercialisation of software.
Introduction
The aim of the module is to extend, adapt and apply the student鈥檚 existing programming skill set to produce either a web-based interface or mobile app with functionality that is of relevance to real-world problems.
Requirements
Students create a mobile app or an interactive web interface that will address a real world need which they have identified. This can be related to their studies, from their personal interests or hobbies, or any other area they choose.
Several hours of training will be received. Topics typically include: best practices in sustainable software development, principles of graphical interface design and data presentation, an introduction to scripting, interactive web content. Students will be introduced to suitable tools that they may wish to use to complete the project but will also need to extend their knowledge from the wealth of material available online.
Assessment will be based on a project designed individually with the course conveners. The ultimate submission will take the form of fully annotated source code and a short descriptive summary, a half to one page, explaining the reasoning behind the design. There will be an oral exam during which students will demonstrate a working copy of their application and answer questions on its design.
Assessment
The main part of the submission will consist of annotated source code, demonstrating the students' skills and understanding of application design. They will also supply a short, half to one page descriptive summary of the project in which they will describe the background, design principles and reflect on decisions taken. They may also include figures or screenshots if they wish.
A working example of the code will then be demonstrated during an oral examination in front of the course convener and assistant conveners with the student able to answer technical questions about the implementation of the project. The assessment and module will be assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Draw on their existing knowledge of programming as well as make use of the wealth of web-based resources on browser or mobile application programming
- Plan and execute a project of writing a mobile application and write a short summary explaining decisions made.
- Understand and summarise the essential features of the work of others and evaluate its significance.
- Demonstrate an ability to present technical material verbally, including under questioning.
Summary of dates
First term dates:
End of week 5: registration
End of week 7: project proposal sent to course convener
End of week 9: project discussed with convener and agreed upon
Second term dates
End of week 7: submission of final project document to course convener
Within weeks 8-10: oral exam for the project with final mark given
Dates for 2025/26
This module has four sessions, dates are as follows:
Wednesday 12 November 2025 10:00 - 11:30
Wednesday 19 November 2025
10:00 - 11:30
Wednesday 26 November 2025
10:00 - 11:30
Wednesday 3 December 2025 10:00 - 11:30
Venue: D1.07, Zeeman Building Computational Techniques Channel
Final assessment:Date TBC
Time and Venue: TBC