FIT3178 iOS app development
Faculty of Information Technology
FIT3178 iOS app development is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Information Technology, offered in 2025 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs FIT1045, FIT1051, FIT1053, FIT2085 or FIT1048.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 5 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before FIT3178
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After FIT3178
No unit lists FIT3178 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: And must have passed 24 credit points of FIT Level 2 or 3 units
Overview
This unit focuses on the design, development and deployment of mobile apps for iOS using the Swift programming language. You 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. You will design and build your own app.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | Flexible |
Assessment
- A1: Mobile Application Design SpecificationWritten20%
- A2: iOS Portfolio ExercisesPortfolio24%
- A3: Mobile Application PrototypesPortfolio16%
- A4: Final Mobile ApplicationArtefact30%
- Weekly workshop quizzesQuiz / Test10%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you 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.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Laboratories36 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled activities. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning and online engagement.
Learning resources
Required resources
Software: The unit requires the use of Xcode 16.3 or later and SF Symbols 6 or later (both macOS only). Xcode is available for free via the Mac App Store, and SF Symbols as a download from Apple's Developer site.
Technology resources
You do not need an iOS device (iPhone or IPad) and instead use the iOS Simulator built into Xcode for your lab and assignment work. Lab classes are held in Mac computer labs with the necessary software. After-hours access to the campus Mac labs is also available.
You can also use your own Mac computer running macOS Sonoma 14.5 or later, as well as your own iOS device for development if they wish.
Where it fits
FIT3178 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Michael Wybrow
- Unit Coordinators
- Jason Haasz
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FIT3178?
You need FIT1045, FIT1051, FIT1053, FIT2085 or FIT1048 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is FIT3178 offered?
In 2025, FIT3178 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is FIT3178?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does FIT3178 have an exam?
No. FIT3178 has 5 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include FIT3178?
FIT3178 is part of Mobile apps development, Software development and Software engineering.