Mobile App Development Spring

This course is an introduction to mobile application development with a strong emphasis on native iOS development and an expanded view of how mobile, web, and immersive technologies intersect in contemporary design practice. Designed for students with no prior programming experience, the course introduces foundational concepts in coding, software development, and user-centered design. Students begin by learning the fundamentals of native iOS app development using Xcode and the Swift programming language, building simple interactive applications and progressing toward more advanced user interface and interaction techniques. Core topics include responsive UI design, client-side functionality, testing, and best practices in mobile app development.

Building on this foundation, students are introduced to website design and development, learning HTML and CSS alongside industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma and Dreamweaver. Web development supports mobile app design through interface prototyping, layout systems, visual hierarchy, and cross-platform thinking.

In the second half of the course, students extend their mobile and web development skills into immersive exhibition design and prototyping. Working in teams, students develop an interactive VR exhibition project using Unity and C#, which is previewed and presented in CAVE2, a large-scale, collaborative virtual reality and high-resolution display environment.

Students will explore spatial interaction, immersive storytelling, and the translation of mobile and web experiences into extended reality contexts.

In addition to technical development, students will work on exhibition identity, visual design, and community engagement activities, including the planning and facilitation of community workshops connected to the exhibition. This component emphasizes communication, audience experience, and the social impact of interactive technologies.

The course is structured around lectures, hands-on workshops, team-based breakout sessions, critiques, and project-based assignments. Students will work collaboratively using contemporary tools and workflows, while engaging in a blended learning format that requires significant independent work outside of class. The course emphasizes not only technical proficiency, but also research, teamwork, creative problem-solving, and quality of implementation.

By the end of the course, students will have experience designing and developing a native iOS mobile app, websites, and producing an immersive VR exhibition prototype, preparing them for professionla research and community outreach practices.

iOS Programming. The Big Nerd Ranch Guide by Christian Keur, Aaron Hillegass, 7th edition

HTML & CSS: Design and Build Web Sitesby Jon Duckett

Beginning Xcode by Matthew Knott Daniel Bramhall

The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web and Beyond by Jesse James Garrett

A Project Guide to UX Design: For user experience designers in the field or in the making by Russ Unger, Carolyn Chandler

Learn Xcode Tools for Mac OS X and iPhone Development by Ian Piper

Mobile Usability by Jakob Nielsen and Raluca Budiu, New Riders

The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst, Hartley & Marks Publishers

Your final grade will be based on your performance on the group project, weekly assignments, quizzes, peer evaluation, attendance, participation, and your ability and willingness to accept client and faculty feedback. In order to successfully pass the course, students will be expected to complete the activities listed below. Weights listed between parentheses indicate the contribution of the specific component to the final course grade. The course evaluation components listed below are mandatory. Students do not have the option of opting out of any of the activities required for the assessment of these components.

Collaboration (20%):
this component of the final grade is based on your contribution to the class in the form of attendance and active participation. Students are expected to attend every class meeting, arrive on time and stay until the end. Regular and punctual attendance may be used, at the professor’s discretion, to make adjustments to the final grade in borderline cases. Active participation will help students achieve the best learning experience. Completing the readings indicated in the class schedule before class, and being fully present during each class will help students actively engage during each class meeting. Active participation includes active engagement during in-class activities and contributions through asking questions or providing answers when material is unclear. The professor will assume that you are well prepared for each class meeting and will feel free to call upon you to provide an answer or comment. ​Each absence will be penalized by 1% in the case where permission was not granted by the professor ahead of time. More than two unexcused absences will result in a reduction of the final grade by one letter grade; with every additional unexcused absence, the final grade will drop by an additional grade. Be prepared for a lot of hard work: be prepared to design, research and code, often, and much outside of the class. This course will be difficult but also very much in-depth and useful to prepare your graduation portfolio.

Assignments, Discussions, Quizzes (30%):
Assignments will be due on Mondays by 10:00 am unless otherwise specified. Project deliverables will have a different deadlines’ structure.. Any number of unannounced quizzes may be given during the semester at the beginning or end of class. There are no make-ups for assignments or quizzes.

Team Projects (50%):
Teams will consist of 3-4 people. Teams will propose their own projects and go through an ideation phase. Ideas will have to be approved by the instructor and a client. Each team will have to submit various deliverables including a project proposal, prototype wireframes and/ or user flow charts, market research, sketches, peer evaluations, simulations, user testing evidence, presentation and final design. Teams are expected to submit all the deliverables in order to receive a final grade on the group project. Members are expected to contribute to every deliverable and be present in ALL group meetings and class presentations. Kindly be aware that peer evaluations can increase your final grade by 5% or reduce it by 15%.

A (90-100%) Consistent growth in the above listed as well as excellent work. Excellent work consistently goes above and beyond what is required.

B (80-89.99%) Above average growth in the above listed as well as above average work.

C (70-79.99%) Average growth in the above listed as well as average work.

D (60-69.99%) Dissatisfactory growth in the above listed and incomplete work.

E (59.99% or below) Dissatisfactory growth in the above listed, incomplete work and poor attendance.

Attendance and Preparation for Class: You are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions with your reading and supplementary materials. Readings are to be completed prior to class.

Laptops, Tablets and Cell Phones:
While this course is centered on mobile technologies, using mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets (even for texting purposes) in class is unprofessional behavior and forbidden in this course. Turn your cell phones to airplane mode while in class. Never answer a phone call in class. Employers will leave you a message or call you back; they also want professionals who know when and when not to take calls. Laptops can only be used for classroom purposes when directed by the professor. Bring your laptops to every class but please leave them in your book bags or closed until needed.Misuse of laptops or mobile devices will be considered a breach of discipline and appropriate action will be initiated by the professor.

Absences: Each absence will be penalized by 1% in the case where permission was not granted by the professor ahead of time. More than two unexcused absences will result in a reduction of the final grade by one letter grade; with every additional unexcused absence, the final grade will drop by an additional grade. In the event you have an excused absence, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor and catch up on missed class material.

Assignments: In both the professional and academic world, you must meet deadlines. In this class, assignments will be due on Mondays by 1:00 pm unless otherwise specified. Make sure to double check the submission deadline for every assignment. Assignments submitted after the deadline will be considered late.

Late Assignments: Late assignments will receive a 15% penalty for the first day they are late, and 10% for each day afterwards. So, if you submit a perfect assignment a day late, you earn 100% - 15% = 85%; two days late, you earn 100% - 25% = 75%; and so on. Hardware failure is not an acceptable reason for turning in an assignment late. You should always make a backup of your files.

A $125.00 laboratory fee is required for this course, which is used for the course supporting materials, and supplies (movile devices, printer paper, copies, media storage, supplies for presentation etc.)

If it’s an announcement, grade, quizz or discussion it’s on Blackboard;

if it’s any material, link, assignment, date or video, it’s on the class website;

if it’s a file upload/download it’s on Goodle Drive.

Academic Integrity
UIC is committed to providing an environment in which research, learning, and scholarship can flourish and in which all endeavors are guided by academic and professional integrity. All members of the campus community—students, staff, faculty, and administrators—share the responsibility of ensuring that these standards are upheld so that such an environment exists. Instances of academic misconduct will be handled pursuant to the Student Disciplinary Policy.

Counseling Center
UIC is committed to helping students deal with stress, handle a crisis or trauma, cope with the transition to college, gain strength from gender and cultural identity, or manage mental illness and other issues. Our counselors can help students increase resilience and positive well-being by developing effective coping and problem-solving skills. Click the link to make an appointment.

Disability Resource Center
UIC is committed to full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of university life. Students who face or anticipate disability-related barriers should use the link to connect with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Instructors in receipt of a Letter of Accommodation will work with the student and the DRC to implement the approved accommodations.

Office for Access and Equity
UIC is committed to providing access to employment, programs, and services in an environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Dispute Resolution Services (DRS) provides confidential consultation, facilitation, and mediation services to students, faculty, academic and support staff.

Nondiscrimination Policy Statement
UIC is committed to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity involving students and employees. Freedom from discrimination is a foundation for all decision-making at UIC. Students are encouraged to click the link to review the statement.

Grievance Procedures
UIC is committed to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity involving students and employees. Freedom from discrimination is a foundation for all decision making at UIC. Students are encouraged to study the University’s “Nondiscrimination Statement.” Information on grievance policies and procedures is available on the University web pages of the Office of Access and Equity: www.uic.edu/depts/oae.

Special Needs
Any individuals with learning disabilities or special needs must make the instructor aware of them prior to the due date of the first major assignment. Those who require accommodations for access and participation in this course must be registered with the Disability Resource Center. Please contact DRC at 312/413-2183 (voice) or 773-649-4535 (VP/Relay) and consult the following: http://drc.uic.edu/.

Disclaimer
Projects created in this course may be used by the Department for purposes of promotion for students, the School or the University in general. The School may also use these materials for instructional purposes in future courses.

UIC is committed to public safety, and provides UIC Alerts for real-time news and a free smartphone app that allows students to take advantage of the many campus safety services offered. Please download the appropriate app to your smartphone—Apple (UIC SAFE) or Android (UIC Mobile)—and familiarize yourself with its features so you’re prepared in case of an emergency. In addition to the features listed below, the app also contains a full Safety Toolbox, Support Resources, and Emergency Response Guidelines.

Panic Button
one-touch button to silently send your location to UIC Police

Friend Virtual Walk
real-time tracking with a contact of your choice

UIC Police Virtual Escort
real-time tracking with UIC Police, available 24 hours/every day

Walking Safety Escort
in-person Student Patrol or UIC Police campus escort, available 24 hours/every day use app or dial direct 312-996-2830

Work Alone
alert sent to a contact of your choice if you fail to respond to a designated check-in

Safe Commute
Night Ride—a campus shuttle van will give you a ride, available 11 pm–7 am/every day use app or dial direct 312-996-6800

Report a Tip
Call UIC Police—use app, dial direct 312-355-5555 or from a campus phone 5-5555 Report Crime/Submit Tip—use app to report criminal incident, misconduct, or harassment Chat with UIC Police—use app to share information, request assistance, or ask a question Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline—available 24 hours/every day use app or dial direct 800-273-8255