COP2660 – Android Application Development

INSTRUCTOR: David Freer

EMAIL: david.freer@gmail.com 

Room: 6163

WEBSITES:  

http://freerschool.com


COMPUTER ACCESS:

You will need to use a computer with internet access to complete assignments. Study Center in Room 9103 provides computers access for CIS students. You will be asked to provide a current MDC ID and validated schedule when you enter the Study Center. The hours of operation are on the door of Room 9103. Broken computers and “internet down” are not valid excuses! You can use the EnTec Study Center computers that have Android Studio installed on them.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course teaches the principles of Android application development for majors in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, and related disciplines. Students will learn how to create mobile applications for deployment to Android smartphones, tablets or simulators utilizing open source software (Java, Eclipse IDE, Android Plug-In and Android SDK) for development. Emphasis will be placed on the underlying Android framework to create quality applications. 

COURSE COMPETENCIES

android.PNG

 
 

Miami Dade College - General Education Learning Outcomes

Purpose: Through the academic disciplines and co-curricular activities, General Education provides multiple, varied, and intentional learning experiences to facilitate the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills and the development of attitudes that foster effective citizenship and life-long learning. As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

 a.  This outcome is not reinforced in this course.

  1. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.

 

  1. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.

 

  1. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.

 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
  1. This outcome is not reinforced in this course.

 

  1. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
  1. This outcome is not reinforced in this course.

 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.

  a.   This outcome is not reinforced in this course.

  1. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.

 

  1. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
  1. This outcome is not reinforced in this course.

 

  1. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the environment.
  1. This outcome is not reinforced in this course.
TEXTBOOKS & MATERIALS
There is no required textbook for the course.

Highly Recommended:

Android Programming Concepts. Richard and Trish Cornez can be found here.

E-MAIL

I am generally very quick about responding to emails. If there is a delay of a day, write me again!

ATTENDANCE

This is a participatory course and you must be in class to succeed. Roll will be taken at the start of each class – if you are late you will be counted absent. It is the student's responsibility to obtain the information missed during an absence.

TEXTBOOK DATAFILES AND INSTRUCTOR FILES

We will use storage located on freerschool.com

TUTORIAL ASSIGNMENTS

Students will be responsible for all material covered in class and all chapters assigned in the textbook. Readings should be completed before class begins. While some class time will be spent working on the tutorial exercises in the book, you are responsible for completing each of the assigned tutorials.

GRADING:

Grading Criteria

Number

percent of total

Final Project (presented on the last day of class)

1

30%

Major Assignments (outside of class)

4-5

25%

Minor Assignments (in class), forum posts

5-10

25%

Exams - multiple choice and programming

1

20%

Total

 

100%

 

Final Grading Scale

A

B

C

D

Percentage cut-off

90%

80%

70%

60%

Do not email me about increasing your letter grade.

 

GUIDELINES FOR PROGRAMMING ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Late assignments will lose 10% of their grade and will only be accepted up to one week past their due date. Each assignment will have specific submission guidelines. Most assignments will be submitted via the internet to either http://freerschool.com 

All coding assignments must follow professional coding style guidelines. See the Coding Style Guide.

While I encourage discussion about assignments, ALL CODE MUST BE YOUR OWN unless otherwise specified. Since it is impossible to determine who the author was and who was the plagiarizer, all assignments submitted with duplicate code will receive a 0.  The second sign of copied code will be taken to the Dean. 

USEFUL WEBSITES

Android Studio: https://developer.android.com/studio/index.html

Google APIs for Android: https://developers.google.com/android/guides/overview

Learn Java https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-java 

                

WITHDRAWAL AND INCOMPLETE

All students that are listed on the final grade report will receive a final grade. Incomplete grades will be given only if a) you are up-to-date in class AND b) you have a passing grade AND c) you have an emergency or life change that occurred after the semester began that can be verified and is beyond your control. It is your responsibility to determine the official drop dates for your courses. See http://www.mdc.edu/academic_calendar/.

Tentative Schedule:

Monday Wednesday 6:00 - 7:40 PM MDC Kendall 8217

Date

  Topics / Reading Assignments

1/8

Introduction to Android

Installing Android Studio

Finding up-to-date info about Android.

Reviewing Java concepts I

1/13

Reviewing Java concepts II

Object Oriented Programming Review

1/15

Describe the Android application life cycle

Creating activities and applying the Android activity lifecycle

1/20

No school MLK Day

1/22

Intents.

In-class assignment.

1/27

Registering a broadcast receiver within the system manifest

1/29

Fragments, Action Bars, and Menus

In-class assignment.

2/3

Fragments II

2/5

Saving and loading files and managing the local file system. Shared Preferences.

2/10

Exam 1 - multiple choice, short answer, essay.  Review sheet will be provided.

2/12

Starting new activities and sub-activities using implicit and explicit intents.

Return test.

2/17

Presidents Day

2/19

Show off Business Project.

2/24

Using the Android dialog class

Work on final project.

2/26

Work on final project.

3/2

Final Project demonstrations.

 

During this course we will spend a good deal of time programming culminating in a Final Project that we will demonstrate in class.