MURANG’A UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Unit code: SIT 302 Unit Title: MOBILE APPLICATION
DEVELOPMENT
Prerequisite(s): Object Oriented Programming Contact Hours: 3hrs
Lecturer’s Name: Mr. William Lacktano Programmes: BSE /BCT/BMCS-Y3S1
Semester: 1 Academic Year: 2025/2026
1.0 Purpose
This course aims to prepare students to work in the area of mobile software development by
introducing them to the relevant technologies and equipping them with skills in the design and
development of mobile applications using up-to-date software development tools and APIs.
2.0 Expected Learning Outcomes of the Course
At the end of this course, learners should be able to;
i. Design and develop user-friendly and responsive Android user interfaces using XML layouts
and UI components.
ii. Evaluate and choose appropriate software tools and APIs for specific mobile application
development tasks, demonstrating their understanding of the strengths, scope, and limitations
of each option
iii. Connect mobile application to database such as SQLite
iv. Demonstrate proficiency in integrating network functionality into Android apps, including
making HTTP requests and parsing JSON/XML responses.
v. Implement various user input mechanisms and perform input validation in Android
applications.
3.0 Teaching Methodologies
Lecture method, Group activities, Class discussions, Demonstrations and illustrations,
Audio/Tele/video conferencing, and E-learning activities.
4.0 Instructional Materials/Equipment
Overhead projector, Handouts, Charts, Text books, white board and marker, supervised
laboratory exercises, Video, Multimedia, Computers-Desktop/Laptops/ tablets and E-journals
5.0 Course Outline
WEEK TOPIC SUB TOPIC
1 Introduction to Mobile • Mobile Application Platforms overview
Device Application • Tools, and Technologies
Development • Setting up mobile development environment
• Mobile Application Frameworks
2 Android Fundamentals • Android architecture
CAT1 • activities and fragments, intents and intent
filters
• user interface layouts (XML layouts, views,
and view groups).
3 User interface design • UI components (buttons,text fields, images)
• Working with layouts (linear, relative,
constraint),
• Styling and themes,
• Responsive design principles.
4 Handling user inputs • Event handling
• Touch and gestures
• Input validation
• Handling keyboard input.
5 Data persistence • SQLite database fundamentals
• CRUD operations, SQLite data manipulation
• shared preference
• Synchronizing Data with Remote Databases.
5 Data persistence • Network and Webservices: HTTP and HTTPS
protocols
CAT 2 • Making network requests
(HTTP/URL/Connection, Retrofit)
• Parsing JSON and XML responses
• Handling network errors and timeouts.
6 User Experience (UX) • Displaying images and videos
Working with • Audio playback
Multimedia, Buttons • Camera and gallery integration
and clickable images. • Media playback controls
7 Background Processing • AsyncTask and ThreadPoolExecutor
and Services • implementing foreground and background
services
• Handling long-running tasks.
8 Testing • Unit testing with Junit
• UI testing with Espresso
9 Debugging • Debugging techniques
CAT 3-Practical • Performance testing
• optimization
10 Advanced Topics • Security and permissions
• App optimization techniques
• Integrating third-party libraries and SDKs
Location providers (GPS, Network).
11 Application • Preparing apps for release
Deployment • Generating signed APKs
12 Application • Publishing apps to Google Play Store
Distribution • App monetization strategies
13 Project Presentation • Project documentation
14 Revisions
15 End Sem. Exam
6.0 Course Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting
C.A.T 1 10%
C.A.T 2 10%
Project 10%
Examination 70%
Total Scores 100%
7.0 Core Reading Materials for the Course
Core Textbook
Core Reading Materials for the Course
i. Nabil, M. (2023). Mobile DevOps Playbook A practical guide for delivering high-quality
mobile applications like a pro. Packt Publishing. ISBN 9781803246499
ii. Horton, J. (2018). Android Programming for Beginners. Packt publishing. ISBN:
9781789531039
iii. Khatib and Nael Salman, M. (2018). Mobile Computing Technology and Applications.
IntechOpen. ISBN: 9781838815042
iv. Modi, J., Tak, R.. (2018). Mobile DevOps. In Mobile DevOps. Packt publisher. ISBN:
9781788295741 ePub ISBN 9781788295741
v. Horton, J. (2019). Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners. Packt publishing. ISBN:
9781789800883
8.0 Recommended Reference Materials for the Course
i. Qiu M., Dai W., Gai K. (2020). Mobile Applications Development with
Android:Technologies and Algorithms. Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN 0367574144,
9780367574147.
ii. Zelenchuk, D. (2019). Android Espresso Revealed. (Vol. 1). Apress Publishers. ISBN:
9781484243145
iii. Pratiyush Guleria, Dr. (2022). Android for Beginners. BPB Publications. ISBN:
9789388176231