Module Specification

Web App Development

Module Specification

Web App Development



In this module, students will learn about the user journey, information architecture, navigation, and visual rhetoric relevant to web technologies and design. On the practical side, it teaches how to hard-code a website on the client side by using HTML5, CSS3 and some interactive features. In the practical component, students will learn how to apply major web technologies to create functional web designs based on User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), and Information Architecture (AI). Besides HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript, students will also learn about other web technologies that are a part of modern web design, as well as the complex ecosystem of multiple browsers and platforms. There is a strong focus on web technologies that make websites more responsive, discoverable, redistributable, cross-compatible, and accessible.


Mode(s) of Study Code CATS Credits ECTS Credits Framework HECoS code
Full-time blended
Part-time blended
WD51 30 15 FHEQ - L5 software engineering (100374)

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

  • Prerequisite: Object Oriented Design

Learning Outcomes

There are no module learning outcomes to display.

Content Structure

Week Topic
Week 1 Introductory lecture
Introduces the module, outlining its relevance to the field and connections to other topics. It provides an overview of the content structure, key references, and assessment details.
Week 2 Introduction
1. Introduction
Week 3 INTERconnected NETwork: INTERNET
2.1. Internet: The Giant WAN
2.2. Communicating over the Internet
2.3. Accessing the Internet
2.4. Internet Organizations
2.5. Cyber Ethics
Week 4 Internet Applications
3.1. Internet Services
3.2. Electronic Mail (E-mail)
3.3. File Transfer
3.4. Real-time User Communication
3.5. Remote Login
3.6. Usenet
3.7. World Wide Web
Week 5 The World Wide Web
4.1. The Web
4.2. The Working of Web
4.3. Web Terminology
4.3.1. Web page
4.4. Web Architecture
4.5. World Wide Web Challenges
Week 6 HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol
5.1. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
5.2. HTTP Version
5.3. HTTP Connections
5.4. HTTP Communication
5.5. Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)
5.6. HTTP State Retention: Cookies
5.7. HTTP Cache
Week 7 Evolution of Web
6.1. The Generations of Web
6.2. Web 1.0
6.3. Web 2.0
6.4. Web 3.0
6.5. Big Data: A Special Discussion
Week 8 Web IR: Information Retrieval on the Web
7.1. Web Information Retrieval (Web IR)
7.2. Web IR Tools
7.3. Web IR Architecture (Search Engine Architecture)
7.4. Web IR Performance Metrics
7.5. Web IR Models
7.6. Google’s PageRank TM
Week 9 Web Development Basics
8.1. Elements of Web Development
8.2. Client Side and Server-side scripting
8.3. Model-View-Controller (MVC) Architecture
Week 10 Client-side Technologies
9.1. HTML
9.2. CSS
9.3. JavaScript
9.4. Bootstrap Framework
9.5. AngularJS Framework
Week 11 Server-side Technologies
10.1. Server-side Scripting
10.2. PHP
10.3. Node.js: Server-side JavaScript
Week 12 Web Application Frameworks
11.1. DJango
11.2. Ruby on Rails (RoR)
Week 13 Web Databases
12.1. Web Database
12.2. SQL: Relational Databases
12.3. NoSQL Databases: Non-Relational & Distributed Data
12.4. Understanding Popular Databases
Week 14 Research Trends in Web
13.1. Contextual Information Retrieval
13.2. Web Mining
Week 15 Cases
14.1. HTML Examples
14.2. A Recipe Website project using Django and Neo4j: Kitchen Ninja

Student Workload

The methods of teaching and learning for this module are based on the School's Technical 30 teaching system, consisting of the following activities.

Activity Total hours
Introductory lecture 1.50
Concept learning (knowledge graph) 36.00
AI formative assessment 18.00
Workshop/Lab Sessions 27.00
Independent reading, exploration and practice 153.50
Summative assessment 64.00
Total: 300.00

Teaching and Learning Methods

Activity Description
Introductory lecture

This is the first weekly session, dedicated to providing a comprehensive introduction to the module. The module leader will present an overview of the subject, elucidating its importance within various digital engineering professions and its interrelation with other modules. Students will need no preparation ahead of attending this session.

The module leader will provide a structured breakdown of the content to be covered in the subsequent 9 sessions. Students will also receive an outline of the essential reference materials, alongside suggestions for supplementary reading. The format and criteria for the summative assessment will be delineated, followed by a dedicated period for questions and answers.

A recording of the session will be available to facilitate async engagement for any other student who missed the class, also offering an opportunity to review the content again.

Concept learning (knowledge graph)

Our institution's approach to teaching is primarily based on flipped learning. Ahead of each weekly session (Workshop/Lab), students will be required to study the essential concepts that are used in the coming session so they are familiar with the theories and ideas related to that session. The study material will be in the form of written content, illustrations, pre-recorded lectures and tutorials, and other forms of content provided through the AGS.

This content is self-navigated by the students, accommodating different learning styles and schedules, allowing students to watch or listen to them at their own pace and review them as needed.

AI formative assessment

Once each concept of the theory is studied, students will be prompted to engage in formative assessment with instant AI feedback. They include multiple-choice questions, socratic questions and answers, written questions, role-play and other AI-assisted practice scenarios.

The purpose of this automated formative assessment is to provide students with immediate feedback on their understanding of module material and highlight any areas that need support or further study. They are also used to track student progress, boost motivation and promote accountability.

Workshop/Lab Sessions

Those studying in the blended learning mode will attend these 9 weekly classes (in person or remotely) during weeks 2 to 10. These sessions will complement the theory already studied during the preceding week (in our flipped-learning model), with discussions, analysis, practice or experience . They will be interactive and participatory, rather than one-way lectures. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A in every session. Depending on the nature of the content, challenges and learning activities will be pre-designed to apply flipped learning. They may include hands-on project work, group discussions or debates, roleplay, simulation, case studies, presentations, and other learning activities and opportunities. These workshops present an opportunity to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also encourage collaboration and foster a sense of community among students.

Independent reading, exploration and practice

This activity challenges students to engage with the reference material and independently explore and analyse academic literature related to the course topic. Students are expected to select relevant sources, practice critical reading skills, and where applicable technical skills, and synthesise information from multiple references. This is an opportunity to enhance research abilities, critical thinking, and self-directed learning skills while broadening and deepening subject knowledge.

Summative assessment

Summative assessments are used to evaluate student learning at the end of a module. These assessments can take many forms, including exams, papers, or presentations. Instructors can use summative assessments to measure whether students have achieved the learning outcomes for the module and provide them with a sense of their overall progress. Summative assessments can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching methods used in the module.


Assessment Patterns

Weighting Format Outcomes assessed
60% Technical Analysis and Solution Assessment
This assessment requires students to develop a solution to a complex problem within a simulated domain, followed by a detailed analysis and reflection on their design and its theoretical underpinnings. The aim is to assess students' abilities to design practical solutions, critically analyse their work, and articulate their understanding of the technical and theoretical aspects of the module.
40% Invigilated Exam
This is a time-limited and closed-book exam with a mix of multiple-choice and analytical written questions that students undertake during the summative assessment period as scheduled under the School’s remote invigilation conditions to ensure quality and academic integrity.

The exam enables the students to demonstrate their successful attainment of the module learning outcomes, primarily related to knowledge and understanding, and secondarily related to Professional/Transferable Skills.

The analytical written questions will consist of problem questions representing issues and dilemmas students are likely to encounter in professional life and students have to synthesise and apply what they have learnt on the module in order to produce sound and reasoned judgements with respect to the problem.

To enable the students to practice and prepare, various formative assessment activies, including quizzes and a AI-augmented assignments and mock exams are built into the module. Additionally, throughout the course, students will regularly receive feedback on their knowledge and assignments from AI as well as peers and staff to indicate how to improve future work and how to give constructive feedback to others.

References/Indicative Reading List

Importance ISBN Description
Supplementary Reading Kumar, A. (2018). Web technology: theory and practice. Chapman and Hall/CRC (Taylor & Francis).
Supplementary Reading Jackson, J. C. (2011). Web Technologies A Computer Science Perspective, Pearson.

Programmes Linked to This Module

Programme Term Type
1 BSc Computer Science 4 Optional
2 BSc Software Engineering 4 Optional

Module Approval

Stage Version Date of approval Authority Chair Revalidation
Compliance 1.0 Academic Board Dr Paresh Kathrani
Pre-Teaching 1.0 Director of Education Dr Paresh Kathrani
Note: The information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.
Module Spec: Web App Development (WD51)