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Unit outline_

COMP5347: Web Application Development

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal evening] - Remote

Nowadays most client facing enterprise applications are running on web or at least with a web interface. The design and implementation of a web application require totally different set of skills to those are required for traditional desktop applications. All web applications are of client/ server architecture. Requests sent to a web application are expected to go through the public Internet, which slows the responsiveness and increases the possible security threat. A typical web application is also expected to handle large number of requests coming from every corner of the Internet and sent by all sorts of client systems. This further complicates the design of such system. This course aims at providing both conceptual understanding and hand-on experiences for the technologies used in building web applications. We will examine how data/messages are communicated between client and server; how to improve the responsiveness using rich client technology; as well as how to build a secure web application. At the end of this course, students are expected to have a clear understanding of the structure and technologies of web applications. Students are also expected to have practical knowledge of some major web application environments and to be able to develop and deploy simple web applications. Cloud based platform are increasingly popular as the development and deployment platform. This course will incorporate the cloud aspect of web application development as well.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
INFO1103 or INFO1113 or COMP9103 or COMP9003 or COMP9220 or COMP5028
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
COMP4347
Assumed knowledge
? 

Experience with software development as covered in SOFT2412 or COMP9103 or COMP9003 (or equivalent UoS from different institutions)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Basem Suleiman, basem.suleiman@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
Supervised exam as per University exam types guide.
55% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Assignment 1
Individual client-side development. Submit code + tutorial demo./quiz
15% Week 04
Due date: 17 Mar 2023 at 23:59
multiple weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Assignment 2
Develop a web application with multiple components and web services.
25% Week 11 multiple weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Tutorial quiz Quiz & demo
oral quiz & demonstration of own & group work on the group project
5% Week 12 In-tutorial 5-10 minutes.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1: individual client-side development (front-end) of a web application with specific requirements. Using front-end development including HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Must submit code, demo and perform a quiz on submitted work.

Assignment 2: group development of a complete web application (front and back end) as per provided requirements. The develoment will include most of the covered topics (W1-W12) and requires collaborative group work. Groups must submit their code, technical report and demo the project

Quiz & demo: individual quiz and demonstration of own and group work of the group web development project. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per the University policy.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Administrivia, Unit Introduction How the web works, JavaScript (introduction) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 02 Introduction to HTML and CSS Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5
Week 03 Advanced HTML and CSS, JavaScript: client side scripting Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 04 Browser and rendering process Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Server-side development with node.js and express.js Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Sessions and routes - MVC implementation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Connecting to database Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 08 Java Script; Client-side frameworks Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Java Script (cont.); Client-side frameworks (cont.) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Web services Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Web application security Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 12 Industry speakers Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Review, exam structure Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lectures: online Zoom  lectures, recorded lectures 
  • Laboratory: Laboratory sessions are for students to practice problem-solving, application of the concepts, and use of technologies.
  • Independent study: Independent study is required for reading from sources, doing tutorial work and assignments, study/prepare for exam/quiz

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Note: References are provided for guidance purposes only. Students are advised to consult these books in the university library. Purchase is not required.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

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

  • LO1. Discuss the MVC architecture of Web application
  • LO2. Describe and analyse web application architectures and report on their understanding
  • LO3. Undertake collaborative web application development in a small team environment
  • LO4. Understand the fundamentals of web application and the difference between standalone and web application
  • LO5. Obtain development skills with regard to a core set of technologies
  • LO6. Understand important non-functional requirements of web application such as performance and security
  • LO7. Understand various ways of exposing certain functionalities as services to be consumed by other applications
  • LO8. Understand, investigate and identify various security issues related to web application development.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Introducing an introduction to JavaScript, Group project work using GitHub, Demo/quiz on assignment work Extended assignment demo times

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.