PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi

University Institute of Information Technology

Mobile Application Development 1 (CSC-353) - Theory

Credit Hours: 3(2-3) Prerequisites: None
Teacher: Office:

Course Introduction:
This course introduces fundamental concepts and principles of mobile app development
across various platforms. The course covers platform architectures, frameworks, and
best practices for creating efficient and user-friendly applications. Topics include
Android OS architecture, iOS framework, Native & Cross-platform Mobile development,
UI design principles, data persistence methods, and integration with cloud services.
This theoretical foundation prepares students for practical application development,
equipping them with knowledge to tackle complex mobile projects effectively.
Reference Materials:
• Android: Hardy, B., & Phillips, B. (2018). Android programming: The big nerd ranch
guide. Big Nerd Ranch Guides.
• iOS: Apple Inc. (2020). Swift programming language. Apple Inc.
• React Native: Dabit, N. (2019). React native in action: Developing iOS and Android
apps with JavaScript. Manning Publications Co.
• Flutter: Windmill, E. (2020). Flutter in action. Manning Publications Co.
• Android Developer Guide (2024). Android Mobile App Developer Tools – Android
Developers. [Link]
• Kotlin: Nagy, R., & Nagy, R. (2022). Simplifying Application Development with Kotlin
Multiplatform Mobile. Packt Publishing.

Course Objectives:
• Explore key concepts in Android application development, including architecture
and frameworks.
• Design and implement mobile application layouts to optimize user interaction.
• Apply current trends and practices in mobile development to create comprehensive
applications addressing complex user needs.

Topics Covered in the Course, with Number of Lectures on Each Topic

(assume 16-week instruction Three hours per week and sixty minutes lectures)

Week # Topics
Mobile Application Development Platforms, System Installation (Android Studio)
Week 1 • Android Architecture and Framework
• What is Android
 • Various Android Devices
• Android Market Application Store
• First Android Application Development
Components of Android Project (Application Structure)
• Code Completion
• Debugging Application
• Activities
• Android Studio Layout Editor
Week 2 • Component Tree
• Constraint View
• Layout Properties
• XML Files (String, Colors, Values, Dimen)
• Resource Folders
Week 3 Activities, Layouts, Layout Attributes, Views, View Groups, Layout Orientation
Intents in Android
Week 4 • Calling Built-in Intents
• Communication Between Activities
Designing Interfaces with Views and Using Resources, Working with Menus
Week 5 • Using media files and Menus with Views
Data Persistence
Week 6 • Content Providers (Internal, External, Cloud-based)
• Connection and Communication with Mobile Application
Fragments
• Multi Fragment Applications
Week 7 • Fragment Reusability
• Broadcasting and Instant Notifications
Working with Device Utilities, Permissions and Services
Week 8 • Location-based Services (Maps)
• Messages (SMS, Email)
Midterm Exam
Networking
• Establishing an HTTP Connection
Week 9 • Consuming Web Services Using HTTP
• Consuming JSON Services
• Socket Connection and Communication
Android Services
• Create Own Services
Week 10 • Establishing Communication Between a Service and an Activity
• Binding Activities to Services
• Understanding Threading
Week 11 Native iOS Architecture and Framework
Cross-platform / Hybrid / Multiplatform Development
Week 12
• Kotlin for Multiplatform, Flutter, React Native, Xamarin
Custom Graphics and UX/UI Toolkits
Week 13 • Performance and Multithreading
• Asynchronous Tasks
Database Connectivity
• Usage
Week 14 • Managing Data
• Local & Cloud Storage
 Permissions
• Mobile App Security
Week 15 • Packaging and Deploying
• Performance Best Practices
Advanced Topics in Mobile Development
• Package-based Development in Native and Hybrid Environments
• Development Process
• Architecture
• Design
Week 16 • Technology Selection
• Development Hurdles
• Testing
• Publishing Apps and Business Models
• Best Practices & Improvement Techniques
Final Term Exam

Programming Assignments Done in the Course:

Students will be assigned a series of in-class and homework tasks designed to develop
and enhance their programming and problem-solving skills.

Teaching Methodology:
Lectures, Written Assignments, Practical labs, Semester Project, Presentations
Courses Assessment:
Assignments, Quizzes, Project, Presentations, Mid Exam, Final Exam
Grading for 3(2-3) A (>=48), B (39-47), C (30-38), D (24-29), F (<24)

Class Time Spent on (in credit hours):

Theory Problem Analysis Solution Design and Social and Ethical
Practical Development Issues
40% 15% 40% 5%

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)/PLOs Mapping

At the end of course the students will be able to: Bloom Taxonomy
1. Understand the fundamental principles of mobile application C2 (Understand)
development for designing innovative and efficient solutions.
2. Construct intuitive mobile interfaces to enhance user C3 (Apply)
engagement and productivity.
3. Create scalable mobile applications leveraging contemporary C6 (Create)
technologies and methodologies to solve intricate real-world
problems.
C=Cognitive domain
CLO – PLO Mapping
CLOs
CLO:1 CLO:2 CLO:3
PLOs
PLO-1 √
(Knowledge)
PLO-2 √
(Problem Analysis)
PLO-3 √ √
(System Design)
PLO-5 √ √
(Modern Tools Usage)
PLO-7 √
(Environment and Sustainability)
 Mobile Application Development 1 (CSC-353) - Lab
Credit Hours: 3(2-3) Prerequisites: None
Teacher: Office:

Course Introduction:
The lab component of this course provides hands-on experience in mobile application
development across multiple platforms. Students will learn to implement key concepts
and techniques introduced in the theory section, including developing native Android
applications, exploring iOS frameworks, and experimenting with cross-platform tools like
React Native and Flutter. Lab exercises focus on building intuitive user interfaces,
integrating data persistence mechanisms, and utilizing cloud services. By the end of the
lab sessions, students will have practical skills in creating scalable and efficient mobile
apps, preparing them to tackle real-world projects.
Reference Materials:
• Android: Hardy, B., & Phillips, B. (2018). Android programming: The big nerd ranch
guide. Big Nerd Ranch Guides.
• iOS: Apple Inc. (2020). Swift programming language. Apple Inc.
• React Native: Dabit, N. (2019). React native in action: Developing iOS and Android
apps with JavaScript. Manning Publications Co.
• Flutter: Windmill, E. (2020). Flutter in action. Manning Publications Co.
• Android Developer Guide (2024). Android Mobile App Developer Tools – Android
Developers. [Link]
• Kotlin: Nagy, R., & Nagy, R. (2022). Simplifying Application Development with Kotlin
Multiplatform Mobile. Packt Publishing.

Course Objectives:
• Develop functional mobile applications using Android development tools and
frameworks.
• Implement user-friendly interfaces by applying design principles and optimizing user
interaction.
• Integrate data persistence and cloud services into mobile applications to enhance
functionality and scalability.

Topics Covered in the Course, with Number of Labs on Each Topic

(assume 16-week instruction Three hours per week and sixty minutes lab)

Week # Topics
Week 1 Install and set up Android Studio IDE.
Week 2 Create a basic “Hello World” Android application.
Week 3 Design user interfaces using Android Studio Layout Editor.
Week 4 Implement multiple activities and use intents for navigation.
Week 5 Work with views, view groups, and custom layouts.
Week 6 Implement data persistence with shared preferences and SQLite.
 Week 7 Create and manage fragments within an application.
Week 8 Integrate media files and design menus.
Midterm Exam
Week 9 Open ended lab / Semester project.
Week 10 Establish HTTP connections to fetch data.
Week 11 Parse and display JSON data from web services.
Week 12 Create and manage background services.
Week 13 Integrate Google Maps and implement location tracking.
Week 14 Handle permissions and address security concerns.
Explore cross-platform development with Kotlin Multiplatform, Flutter or React
Week 15 Native.
Week 16 Implement custom graphics and optimize application performance.
Final Term Exam

Class Time Spent on (in credit hours):

Theory Problem Analysis Solution Design and Social and Ethical
Practical Development Issues
20% 30% 45% 5%

Oral and Written Communications

In addition to regularly submitting homework tasks as reports, each student is required to
demonstrate their class tasks and discuss the solutions with the instructor.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)/PLOs Mapping

At the end of course the students will be able to: Bloom Taxonomy
1. Develop functional mobile applications using Android C3 (Apply)
development tools and frameworks.
2. Design and implement user interfaces that are intuitive and C3 (Apply)
enhance user experience.
3. Analyze and integrate data persistence mechanisms and C4 (Analyze)
cloud services into mobile applications to enhance their
functionality and scalability.
C=Cognitive domain

CLO – PLO Mapping

CLOs
CLO:1 CLO:2 CLO:3
PLOs
PLO-1 √
(Knowledge)
PLO-2 √
(Problem Analysis)
PLO-3 √ √ √
(System Design)
PLO-5 √ √ √
(Modern Tools Usage)
PLO-6 √
(The Engineer and Society)
PLO-7 √
(Environment and Sustainability)