IFN666 Web and Mobile Application Development


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:IFN666
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:IFN581 or ((IFN555 or IFQ555) and (IFN556 or IFQ556)) OR (192cps in IV04 or IV05 or EV08 or EV07) OR (admission into IV54 or IV59 or IV58 or IV60) OR (admission into IN10 or IN15)
Equivalent:IFQ666
Assumed Knowledge:

Some familiarity with HTML and CSS (see https://www.w3schools.com/html/).

Coordinator:Jake Bradford | jake.bradford@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit provides a technical introduction to web and mobile application development and the software patterns which support them. We will introduce you to JavaScript on both the client and the server side, and you will build applications targeting desktops and mobile devices using modern standards and frameworks such as React and React Native. You will design and implement clean and responsive user interfaces, taking account of accessibility and internationalisation. We will introduce you to server side web computing using node.js and Express. You will understand security threats and their mitigation, and gain practical experience of HTTPS deployment.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Explain the core standards and technology platforms which enable web and mobile computing, their nature, limitations and use in developing software applications on both the client and server side.
  2. Apply social and ethical considerations during application design and development, including usability and accessibility standards.
  3. Design software systems that enable complex real-world web and mobile applications
  4. Create, configure, deploy, and test software systems for real world web and mobile applications
  5. Explain and justify design and implementation decisions to key stakeholders.

Content

This unit exposes you to industry-relevant digital practices and technologies:

  • The architecture of the Web and Web standards and protocols (HTTP/HTTPS; HTML, CSS)
  • JavaScript development on the client and server side
  • Designing responsive user interfaces for the web and mobile apps (e.g., React and React Native)
  • Exposing REST APIs backed by persistent data sources (e.g., Node.js, Express and MySQL).
  • Web security principles and secure deployment

You should expect to spend, on average, 10 - 15 hours per week involved in preparing for and attending scheduled classes, preparing and completing assessment tasks as well as in independent study to consolidate your learning. You must be able to manage your time and prioritise activities in order to complete the required unit activities.

Learning Approaches

This unit will use a blend of face to face classes, on-line resources, practical exercises and your own practice. The core material will be introduced in the lectures, but will be supplemented by on-line video and code examples. Your knowledge of JavaScript will be developed through structured exercises covering the key features of the language and the most important libraries. The practical exercises are consciously modelled on industry practice, guiding you through the development of a small but non-trivial application. The assessment will give further opportunities to explore web and mobile technologies in a more open-ended fashion

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided in the following ways:

  • You can ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during lectures and practical sessions.
  • You will receive formative peer and academic feedback on your practical exercises conducted in labs.
  • You will receive written feedback on submitted assessment items.
  • You can request private consultation with teaching staff.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment is designed to allow you to demonstrate each of the learning outcomes for this unit using modern web and mobile application technologies.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Small JavaScript exercises

You will complete a range of small programming exercises designed to develop your skills in JavaScript and key platforms (e.g node.js and Express). Responses are submitted online for automated assessment and rapid feedback.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 10
Length: Approximately 20-50 lines of code per exercise
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 4
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4

Assessment: Web Application Assignment

You will develop a bespoke, full-stack web application using modern technologies like React and Express.js. The web client will interface with a server application via a REST API.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 60
Length: 500-1000 lines of code
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Mobile Application Assignment

You will develop a mobile application using modern cross-platform technologies to complement the web application from the previous assignment. You will write a reflection on web and mobile application development.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 30
Length: 500-1000 lines of code
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

  • JavaScript reference (free online): Haverbeke, Eloquent JavaScript: https://eloquentjavascript.net/
  • Link to other online resources will also be provided.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no unusual health or safety risks associated with this unit.