As the earth’s most highly penetrating communications technology, there are currently over 5 billion cell phones in use. Mobile technology not only brings jobs and enhanced communication; it is often used to save lives through such applications as emergency notifications broadcast to cell phones and emergency callers pinpointed through GPS.
San Diego State University’s Department of Computer Science, in partnership with the College of Extended Studies, is now offering an Advanced Certificate in Web and Mobile Application Development to prepare students for success in this high-demand industry. In addition to the courses currently available as a blend of classroom and online instruction, SDSU will be offering this program online beginning in fall 2011.
“The SDSU Advanced Certificate in Web and Mobile Application Development is currently the only accredited, graduate-level certificate program in the field to incorporate course work in mobile applications development,” said Joe Shapiro, dean of SDSU’s College of Extended Studies. “This program is a great example of SDSU’s commitment to building a strong workforce that meets today’s business needs. We’re excited that the development of an online option will make educational opportunities in this high-growth industry accessible to even more students.”
According to the current edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, computer software engineers “are among the occupations projected to grow the fastest and add the most new jobs…with more than 295,000 created between 2008-18.” This translates to a 34 percent increase in computer software engineers in the next decade.
The job demand is so high for mobile applications developers that employers have begun contacting SDSU’s faculty for references and students regarding job openings. “Employers are calling to ask about our program’s students … one was even waiting outside the classroom to offer my students jobs,” said Roger Whitney, an associate professor who teaches courses in Mobile Applications Development and Emerging Web and Mobile Technologies.
In the SDSU program, students study and gain experience with the languages and frameworks that are most commonly used in developing web and mobile applications with the design of user interfaces and software systems, as well as associated topics such as networking, hosting infrastructure, and security. They also learn the fundamental principles on which these topics are based, so that they will be prepared for the new technologies that are constantly being developed.
Current student projects include the development of fully functional online stores in Advanced Web Application Development. Students are creating iPhone or iPad applications in Mobile Application Development such as an iPhone application that mothers could use to track their baby’s weight, height, immunizations, and other medical information. Projects emphasize real-world skills development valued in today’s job market.
“The key strengths for this course were the first hand experiences gained through projects,” said Christopher Scott Rice, about the Intro to Web Application Development class. Discussion boards, chats, blogs, and other interactive online technologies will allow online students to engage with the program’s instructors and other students.
This program is an advanced academic certificate at the post-baccalaureate level, and admission requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related field. Students with an equivalent knowledge of the background materials through work or self-study may be accepted into this program at the discretion of the program director.
The certificate requires completion of at least four courses (12 units) from the list of six courses below, selected with the approval of the program advisor. These courses will be offered on a regular rotation:
*Introduction to Web Application Development
*Human Computer Interfaces
Programming and Scripting Languages for Web Applications
Advanced Web Application Development
*Mobile Application Development
Emerging Web and Mobile Technologies
(*Course will be offered in fall 2011)
Three courses will be offered each fall and spring semester, so the certificate can be completed in as little as two semesters.
For more information, visit SDSU’s Department of Computer Science at www.cs.sdsu.edu,
call (619) 594-5213 or contact program advisor Joseph Lewis at lewis@cs.sdsu.edu.
Am interested in enrolling in Web and Mobile Application Classes in Gear
Am interested too…. are these courses offered online or we have to attend in class?
Hi Rahul,
Yes, the classes are scheduled to be offered online starting in Fall 2011. More information is available at http://www.ces.sdsu.edu/mobile or http://www.cs.sdsu.edu.
Best,
Emily
thanks for sharing that great post it fully informative and well written
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Thank you for this article (and excuse my bad english, i m just a french man). Personnaly, i use this technology for my work and it work like a charm. I also use Joomla and most of Open Source CMS.
Good news! You can now learn to develop both Android and iPhone mobile apps. The new Android Mobile Application Development course will rotate with the Apple Mobile Application Development course each semester.
The Android Mobile Application Development course will be offered Spring 2012 (Jan. 18 to May 17).
Attend courses Online or on-campus at SDSU.
To apply for spring 2012 admission, complete the CSU Mentor application by Nov. 1; submit all application documentation (e.g., transcripts) by Dec. 1.