Module: Developing Internet Applications

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Developing Internet Applications
Module Code	CSC1025 (ITS: CA229)
Faculty	Computing	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module covers the process of designing, creating and deploying an internet application. Students will look at the various components necessary to develop an internet application including, but not limited to: 1. The hardware/software on which the application runs; 2. The software stack necessary to build and execute the application; 3. Issues of performance and security which must be considered in the case of internet applications.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the differences between developing internet applications and stand-alone desktop or mobile equivalents.
2. evaluate, select and use appropriate frameworks for Internet application development
3. Install and tailor sample open source web packages for use in developing internet applications.
4. Develop internet applications based on relevant technologies
5. Deploy an internet application.
6. analyse possible security threats to internet appplications

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Laboratory	12	No Description
Assignment Completion	35	No Description
Independent Study	54	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20145	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	John McKenna	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Laboratory Portfolio	Set up a development environment and test its operation	5%	n/a
Presentation	Install and tailor an open source web package	15%	Week 1
Assignment	Design a full-stack internet application	25%	n/a
Loop Quiz	n/a	5%	n/a
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Internet Applications
What is an Internet Application? What are the hardware and software tools needed to build an internet application? the unique space occupied by internet applications in the development landscape.

Setting up the build environment
Creating a virtual machine Creating a local server on a laptop Testing the setup to ensure proper operation

Designing and deploying the database
Looking at relational and no-SQL databases. Advantages and disadvantages of each. why choose one over the other? Deploying the database to the development server Choosing test data with which to populate the database

Designing the User Interface
HTML CSS and Javascript revisited What UI frameworks should I use? Accessibility considerations

Linking the UI to the Database
Designing the back-end of the application. how to make sure your data gets to and from the user in a manner which is secure and consistent.

Publishing the Internet Application
Moving from a development server to the live one. Testing on the live server

Security and Performance
common security attacks and how to prevent them - correct server configuration, proper coding standards etc. Improving performance in terms of Javascript and CSS optimisation etc.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None