Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The World Wide Web has become the most important computer system. Many applications are written to function over the Internet using World Wide Web protocols. Software developers will almost certainly be involved in creating web based applications at some point in their careers and will, therefore, need a deep level of understanding of web development technologies. A basic understanding of the web and web based applications is however crucial for all IT professionals due to its pervasive nature. IT professionals ranging from network administrators, database administrators, enterprise architects, content managers and multimedia designers will contribute to and be impacted by web based systems.

The World Wide Web has evolved rapidly with each new generation of web technologies, changing the face of what the web can be used for - from the static content of the past to dynamic web services of the present. It is important for all IT professionals to understand this evolution and to track its future progress so as to best utilize the web to service their organization's goals.

While promising to connect the world, the current World Wide Web is plagued by security concerns, poorly designed interfaces (often inaccessible to people with disabilities) and the difficulty of finding specific information among the avalanche of information available. The next generation of IT professionals will be charged with addressing these challenges.

This is an introductory technical unit about the World Wide Web (WWW); its nature, structure, uses and challenges. The unit also covers how to develop of simple web sites and data-driven web applications.

Aims

The aims of the unit are to give you a thorough understanding of what the web is, how it works and what it has to offer. Additionally, the unit aims to give you a general understanding and basic skills in developing simple data-driven web applications. You will appreciate the business or organizational context within which web applications exist and be skilled in communicating within that environment. You will appreciate the social and ethical issues relating to web based systems including accessibility, globalization, privacy, and piracy.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Understand the evolution of the Internet, the World Wide Web and its architecture (GC1, GC7)
2. Critically analyse page and site design for usability, accessibility and internationalisation, and creatively develop high quality web interfaces (GC1, GC3, GC2)
3. Develop dynamic web applications using state of the art technologies (GC1)
4. Understand and apply social and ethical considerations when designing and implementing a web application (GC6)
5. Appreciate the changing nature of the Internet environment and be able to apply your skills to learn new techniques and exploit new opportunities as they emerge (GC4, GC7)

Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
GC4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration
GC6 - Social and Ethical Responsibility
GC7 - Leadership and Change

Content

In this unit you will learn about:
· The difference between the Internet and the Web
· The architecture of the Web
· Web standards and technologies (including HTML, CSS and JavaScript)
· Designing web-based user interfaces
· Developing simple data-driven web applications (using PHP and MySQL)
· Web security principles
· Web 2.0 - ideas and technologies
· Emerging web technologies (including Cloud computing)

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The formal contact of the unit will consist of a 1.5 hour lecture and a 1.5 hour laboratory based workshop.

Lectures will introduce the core material, providing a basic framework of understanding. The workshops will reinforce this, providing deeper knowledge via hands-on experience. The workshops include structured step-by-step exercises as well as opportunities for self-directed exploration of web technologies. Workshops draw together the theory from the lectures and the practical experiences, allowing you to reflect and engage in a small group environment.

For the assignments you have the option of either working alone or with a partner. Working with a partner can often enhance the learning experience as team mates can learn from one another and have someone with whom to discuss problems. Others prefer the freedom to work individually. The two assignments reinforce and expand on the work done in the workshops to give an authentic start-to-finish web development experience. The overall objective of the assignments is to produce a fully working, data-driven web site using current web technologies.

Assessment

Appropriate assessment criteria will be made available to students at the introduction of each assignment .· Since the practicals are self-paced, guidelines and objectives are provided to help you assess your progress throughout the exercises; and
· Teaching staff and the unit coordinator will be available in person at specified times or via email to answer your questions

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Design and implementation of a simple web site using HTML, CSS, JavaScript and HTML Forms
Relates to objectives: 2 and 4
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Implementation of a simple data-driven web site using PHP and MySQL
Relates to objectives: 3, 4 and 5
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Week 13

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Final written exam
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 4 and 5.
Weight: 45%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended Textbook:
Stobart, Simon & Parsons, David, Dynamic Web Application Development using PHP and MySQL ed.

No extraordinary charges or costs are associated with the requirements for this unit.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas and laboratories

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 10-Jan-2013