Module Specification

Mobile App Development

London school of INNOVATION

Module Specification

Mobile App Development



Increasingly powerful mobile devices are being used as the primary means of obtaining information and requesting services online. Mobile devices (Smartphones and tablets) are displacing traditional personal computers (desktops and laptops) as a means of accessing services, so enterprises must adapt their existing applications to mobile channels. As a result, mobile devices are becoming increasingly capable of supporting new kinds of applications. While there certainly is value in developing a mobile app user interface for an existing business application, users of mobile applications have come to expect more from their mobile experience. This has manifested in an ever-increasing demand for mobile application development on the market.


Code Number of Credits ECTS Credits Framework HECoS code
MD52 30 15 FHEQ - L5 software engineering (100374)

Learning outcomes

There are no module learning outcomes to display.

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.

Student workload

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
300.00

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

  • Prerequisite: Object Oriented Design

Content Structure

Week Chapter Name Chapter Description
Week 1 Introduction 1. Introduction
Week 2 Overview of Mobile App Development I 2.1. Why Mobile Apps?
2.2. Choice of Implementation Technology
2.3. Native Application Implementation
Week 3 Overview of Mobile App Development II 3.1. Mobile Web Applications
3.2. Hybrid Mobile Application Implementation
Week 4 Lifecycle and Technologies 4.1. Mobile Development Lifecycle Overview
4.2. Form Factors and User Input Technology
Week 5 App Design 5.1. Architecture, Design and Engineering Considerations
5.2. Usability and User Interaction Design
5.3. Mobile Navigation and Interface Design
5.4. Overarching Design Principles and Guidelines
Week 6 Techniques, Methodologies and Frameworks 6.1. Techniques, Methodologies for Mobile Application Development
6.2. Mobile Application Development Frameworks
Week 7 Data, Location and Access 7.1. Persistent Data in Mobile Apps
7.2. Maps and Location in Mobile Apps
7.3. Access to Hardware and Sensors
Week 8 Enterprise Backend and Data Store 8.1. Building Mobile Apps Powered by Enterprise Backend
8.2. Secured Data Store and Synchronization
Week 9 Build, Deliver, and Test 9.1. Mobile Application Build and Delivery
9.2. Testing Mobile Applications
9.3. Automated versus Manual Testing
Week 10 App Distribution 10.1. App Distribution Through App Stores
10.2. App Distribution for the Enterprise
Week 11 Web Services 11.1. What is a web service?
11.2. Web services languages (formats)
11.3. Creating an example web service
11.4. Debugging web services
Week 12 Mobile Websites 12.1. Choosing a mobile web option
12.2. Adaptive mobile websites
12.3. Dedicated mobile websites
12.4. Mobile web apps with HTML5
Week 13 Monetizing 13.1. Monetizing Apps
13.2. Revenue models
Week 14 Mobile Operating Systems 14.1. Android
14.2. IOS
14.3. Windows phone
14.4. BlackBerry
14.5. Titanium
14.6. PhoneGap

Module References

Type Description
Book McWherter, J., & Gowell, S. (2012). Professional mobile application development. John Wiley & Sons.

Methods of teaching/learning


Introductory lecture (1.50 hours)

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) (36.00 hours)

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 (18.00 hours)

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 (27.00 hours)

The 9 weekly sessions following the introduction (weeks 2 to 10) will be dedicated to teaching the contents of the module during interactive workshops. These sessions will complement the theory with practice, experience or analysis. Their purpose is to advance the student's cognition from 'knowledge' to 'understand' and 'apply'.

Depending on the nature of the content, challenges and learning activities will be pre-designed to apply flipped learning, and may include hands-on project work, group discussions or debates, roleplay, simulation, case study or other presentation, 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. There will be an opportunity also for Q&A in every session.


Independent reading, exploration and practice (153.50 hours)

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 (64.00 hours)

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.

Programmes this module appears on

Programme Term Type
1 BSc Computer Science 4 Optional
2 BSc Software Engineering 4 Optional
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.
Module Spec: Mobile App Development (MD52)