The unit is being introduced as part of the new BInfotech degree being introduced in 2016

07/12/2017 - Updating prerequisites to include the new programming unit.

15/08/2018 - This unit is being updated to streamline the Faculty's offering of mobile units. FIT2081 will continue to cover Android operating system (and its successor?) FIT3027 which covered Android and iOS is being disestablished. This unit FIT3178 is the successor unit to FIT3027 and will cover mobile app development only in an iOS platform. This is the result of discussions with Michael Wybrow, John Betts (as DOS BInfoTech) and David Albrecht as ADE. Effective Semester 1, 2019.

15/01/2020 - Updated prerequisites to add FIT2085 as an alternative to FIT1008 (already a prerequisite). The former is the same unit, but the version done by software Engineers instead of FIT1080. Effective Semester 1, 2020.

23/09/2020 Admin: Update to include new assessment and teaching approach fields as per Handbook requirements.

20/11/2020 - Updates prequisites to add FIT2085 as base prereq. Discussed updated set of prereqs with Caitlin: Existing prereqs overly complicated, based on old units that don't need to be supported, and causing issues for Software Engineering students. Effective Semester 1, 2021.

10/2/2021 - updating workload on behalf of CE: changing studio to laboratory as timetabled

18/2/2021 - Trivial change: updating required Xcode software version. Effective Semester 1, 2021.

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. describe the feasibility and technical challenges of creating iOS apps using UIKit and associated technologies;
2. analyse mobile interface guidelines and technical constraints to design effective navigation and user interfaces for mobile apps;
3. apply common object-oriented design patterns such as Model-View-Controller and Delegation; and
4. follow iOS best practices to design, construct and test non-trivial iOS apps with a web service component.

02013, 02035

This unit focuses on the design, development and deployment of mobile apps for iOS using the Swift programming language. Students will learn best practices for iOS development using native frameworks and common design patterns. The unit will explore areas such as mobile UI design, data storage, web services and networking, mobile sensors, use of media, and mobile interface testing. The unit will emphasise hands-on, practical experience with the Xcode development environment and iOS simulator. Students will design and build their own app.

The unit requires the use of Xcode 12.4 or later (macOS only) for developing applications. Xcode is available for free via the Mac App Store.

Any additional required software is available in the lab classes.

Technological requirements

Students should routinely check Moodle to access class materials and check for the latest announcements. You are permitted to use your own laptop in the lab in addition to using an iOS device if you wish to test your software rather than run it in a simulated environment.

On-campus

Lectures The aim of the lectures is to introduce one or more concepts in a way, and at a pace, that is adequate for students to learn, not to provide students with everything there is to know about those concepts. In this sense, the lecture and the lecture notes provide a first step towards learning those concepts, a first step that will be complemented by laboratory classes, consultation hours and personal reading and working time.

Laboratory-based classes

The aim of the practical lab is to increase the knowledge of students on a particular area covered by the associated unit. In practical labs this is achieved by each student (or group of students) practicing on their own the concepts already learned previously.

In-semester assessment: 100%

1. Mobile Application Design Specification: - 20% - ULO: 1, 2, 4
2. iOS Portfolio Exercises: - 30% - ULO: 2, 3, 4
3. Mobile Application Prototypes: - 20% - ULO: 2, 3, 4
4. Final Mobile Application: - 30% - ULO: 2, 3, 4

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

(a.) Contact hours for on-campus students:

(b.) Additional requirements (all students):

One of FIT1045, FIT1053, FIT1048, FIT1051 or FIT2085.