Java for Android

About this course: This MOOC teaches you how to program core features and classes from the Java programming language that are used in Android, which is the dominant platform for developing and deploying mobile device apps. In particular, this MOOC covers key Java programming language features that control the flow of execution through an app (such as Java’s various looping constructs and conditional statements), enable access to structured data (such as Java's built-in arrays and common classes in the Java Collections Framework, such as ArrayList and HashMap), group related operations and data into classes and interfaces (such as Java's primitive and user-defined types, fields, methods, generic parameters, and exceptions), customize the behavior of existing classes via inheritance and polymorphism (such as subclassing and overriding virtual methods). Learners will apply these Java features in the context of core Android components (such as Activities and basic UI elements) by applying common tools (such as Android Studio) needed to develop Java programs and useful Android apps. Learners will work on several hands-on projects throughout the MOOC, i.e., each week will require learners to write solutions to programming assignments that reinforce the material covered in the lecture videos. There will be roughly 4-6 hours of student engagement time per week, including video lectures, quizzes, and programming assignments.

Who is this class for: The intended audience of learners for this MOOC includes those with basic computing skills who have little/no programming experience. This MOOC is intended both for beginners to programming or those switching to Java and/or Android for the first time.

Created by:  Vanderbilt University

• Taught by:  Dr. Jerry Roth, Professor of the Practice

  Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

• Taught by:  Dr. Julie L. Johnson, Instructor

  EECS

• Taught by:  Michael Walker, Instructor - Graduate Student pursuing PhD in Computer Science

  EECS

• Taught by:  Dr. Douglas C. Schmidt, Professor of Computer Science and Associate Chair of the Computer Science and Engineering Program

  Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Basic Info Course 1 of 5 in the Android App Development Specialization Level Beginner Commitment 4 weeks of study, 5-6 hours/week Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.5 stars Average User Rating 4.5See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tenn., is a private research university and medical center offering a full-range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Module 1: MOOC Overview



Module 1 summarizes the organization of the MOOC and the topics it covers. It also discusses the MOOC prerequisites, workload, and learning strategies needed to complete the MOOC successfully. It then presents an overview of key features in the Java language, outlining its support for object-oriented programming concepts that guide the development of Android apps.


6 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Overview of Java for Android MOOC
2. Reading: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and PDF Versions of Slides
3. Video: Module 1: Overview
4. Video: MOOC Contents, Organization, and Learning Strategies
5. Video: Overview of the Java Programming Language (Part 1)
6. Video: Overview of the Java Programming Language (Part 2)
7. Video: Overview Summary

Graded: Module 1 Quiz

Module 2: Introduction to Android Studio
Module 2 provides an overview of Android Studio, explaining how to install it and apply it to develop a simple app using basic Java and Android features presented in this MOOC.


13 videos expand

1. Video: Module 2 Introduction
2. Video: Installing Java and Android Studio
3. Video: Creating and Importing Projects
4. Video: Introducing the Editor
5. Video: Project File Organization
6. Video: Creating and Editing Source Code and Resource Files
7. Video: Creating and Running a Virtual Device
8. Video: Debugging Syntax Errors
9. Video: Logging with Logcat
10. Video: TODO Statements
11. Video: Testing Your Code: Self Assessment Via Unit Tests
12. Video: Making Zip File for Uploading Multiple Files At Once
13. Video: Module 2 Summary

Graded: Module 2 Quiz

Module 3: Writing a Simple Android App Using Basic Java Features
Module 3 shows how to write a simple Android app that defines variables using primitive Java data types, shows how to assign values to those variables, and output them to the Android display using Java classes and methods.


9 videos, 6 readings expand

1. Video: Module Introduction
2. Video: Main Components in a Computing System
3. Reading: Slide deck
4. Video: Variables and Types
5. Video: Expressions
6. Reading: Slide deck
7. Video: Printing data
8. Reading: Printing slide deck
9. Video: The Math Class
10. Reading: Math slide deck
11. Video: The String Class
12. Reading: String slide deck
13. Video: Methods
14. Reading: Slide deck
15. Video: Module Conclusion

Graded: Module 3 Quiz
Graded: Geometry Calculations - Auto Graded

WEEK 2


Module 4: Control Flow
Module 4 covers Java’s looping constructs (e.g., for loops, while loops, and do/while loops), as well as its conditional statements (e.g., if/else statements).


11 videos, 10 readings, 2 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Introduction to Control Flow
2. Video: If-statement Part 1
3. Reading: If-statement L1 slide deck
4. Video: If-statement Part 2
5. Reading: If-Statement L2 slide deck
6. Video: If-statement Code Walkthrough
7. Reading: If-statement Code Walkthrough: Code Copy
8. Reading: If-statement Code Walkthrough: Slide Deck
9. Practice Quiz: Module 4 practice quiz on IF statements
10. Video: For-loops Part 1
11. Reading: Part 1 slide deck
12. Video: For-loops Part 2
13. Reading: Part 2 slide deck
14. Video: For-loops Part 3
15. Reading: Part 3 slide deck
16. Video: For-loops Code Walkthrough
17. Reading: Code walkthrough slide deck
18. Video: Indefinite loops
19. Reading: Indefinite loop slide deck
20. Practice Quiz: Module 4 practice quiz on indefinite loops
21. Video: Random number generation
22. Reading: Slide deck
23. Peer Review: Drawing ASCII Art - Peer Review Portion
24. Video: Module Summary

Graded: Module 4 quiz on FOR loops
Graded: Drawing ASCII Art - Auto Graded Portion

Module 5: Structured Data
Module 5 provides more detail on common data structures supported by Java, including built-in arrays, as well as core classes in the Java Collections Framework, such as ArrayList and HashMap.


10 videos, 9 readings expand

1. Video: Structured Data
2. Reading: Slide deck
3. Video: Arrays: Part 1
4. Reading: Part 1 slide deck
5. Video: Arrays: Part 2
6. Reading: Part 2 slide deck
7. Video: Arrays: Part 3
8. Reading: Part 3 slide deck
9. Video: The for-each loop
10. Reading: Slide deck
11. Video: The Collections Framework: Part 1
12. Reading: Part 1 slide deck
13. Video: The Collections Framework: Part 2
14. Reading: Part 2 slide deck
15. Video: ArrayLists
16. Reading: Slide deck
17. Video: HashMaps
18. Reading: Slide deck
19. Video: Structured Data WrapUp

Graded: The Birthday Problem - Auto Graded
Graded: Module 5 Quiz

WEEK 3


Module 6: Classes and Interfaces
Module 6 covers Java classes and interfaces, focusing on data types, fields, methods, generic parameters, and exceptions.


7 videos, 7 readings expand

1. Video: Java: Classes and Objects, an overview
2. Video: Motivating Classes and Objects
3. Reading: Slide deck
4. Video: Building your own Classes and Objects
5. Reading: Slide deck
6. Reading: Example files: Account
7. Video: Refining your Classes: Part 1
8. Reading: Slide deck
9. Video: Refining your Classes: Part 2
10. Reading: Slide deck
11. Video: New Objects in Old Places
12. Reading: Slide deck
13. Video: Overview of Java Generics
14. Reading: Slide deck
15. Peer Review: Gate.java
16. Peer Review: HerdManager.java
17. Peer Review: FillTheCorral.java

Graded: Module 6 quiz on Object Oriented Programing concepts
Graded: Module 6 quiz on methods and classes
Graded: Module 6 quiz on arrays and parameters
Graded: Building your own class pt 1 - Auto Graded
Graded: Building your own Classes pt 2 - Auto Graded

ModuIe 7: Inheritance and Polymorphism
Module 7 examines Java's inheritance and polymorphism features (e.g., extending classes and virtual methods).


7 videos, 7 readings expand

1. Video: Class Hierarchy and Interfaces: Overview
2. Video: Class Hierarchy and Interfaces
3. Reading: Slide deck
4. Video: Inheritance at Work
5. Reading: Slide deck: Inheritance at Work
6. Video: Polymorphism
7. Reading: Slide deck: Polymorphism
8. Video: Java Interfaces
9. Reading: Slide deck: Java Interfaces
10. Reading: Self-Assessment quiz code
11. Video: Advanced Class Interface features
12. Reading: Slide deck: Advanced Class Interface Features
13. Video: Exception Handling
14. Reading: Slide deck
15. Peer Review: Inheritance and Polymorphism Assignment - Peer Review

Graded: Module 7 quiz on inheritance
Graded: Module 7 quiz on code "dissection"
Graded: Inheritance and Polymorphism Assignment - Auto Graded

WEEK 4


Module 8: Android Calculator App Mini-Project Assignment



Module 8 guides learners through the creation of an Android app that implements a simple calculator, which provides features for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers input by various means (e.g., via numbers and buttons on the Android user interface).


2 videos expand

1. Video: Overview of the Calculator App Mini-Project Assignment
2. Video: Mini-Project Assignment Walkthrough

Graded: Peer Review: Mini-Project: Calculator App