IOS APP DEVELOPMENT APPRENTICE

iOS App Development Apprentice Course Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to iOS Development and Xcode

• Objective: To introduce students to iOS development basics and set up the development environment.


• Topics:
  
  
  
  • Overview of iOS ecosystem: iPhone, iPad, WatchOS, macOS.
  
  
  • Introduction to Xcode: Setting up Xcode and creating the first project.
  
  
  • Understanding the iOS Simulator and testing apps on real devices.
  
  
  • Introduction to Swift programming language.
  
  
  • Basics of Interface Builder (Storyboards, Auto Layout, UI components).
  
  
  • Exploring the Apple Developer Program and App Store submission process.
  
  
  
  

Module 2: Introduction to Swift Programming

• Objective: To get comfortable with the Swift programming language.


• Topics:
  
  
  
  • Variables, constants, and data types.
  
  
  • Control Flow: If statements, loops, switch cases.
  
  
  • Functions and closures.
  
  
  • Arrays, dictionaries, sets, and tuples.
  
  
  • Object-Oriented Programming: Classes, structs, and inheritance.
  
  
  • Error handling and optional values in Swift.
  
  
  • Understanding protocols and delegates.
  
  
  
  

Module 3: Designing User Interfaces (UI)

• Objective: To learn how to design user interfaces for iOS applications.


• Topics:
  
  
  
  • Designing with UIKit: Views, labels, buttons, images.
  
  
  • Introduction to Auto Layout and constraints.
  
  
  • Working with Table Views and Collection Views.
  
  
  • Building custom UI components: Custom buttons, labels, etc.
  
  
  • Understanding the View Controller and navigation controllers.
  
  
  • Building interactive UIs with gestures and animations.
  
  
  • Introduction to SwiftUI (optional, if time permits).
  
  
  
  

Module 4: Working with Data

• Objective: To teach students how to handle and store data.


• Topics:
  
  
  
  • Introduction to Core Data for persistent storage.
  
  
  • Working with UserDefaults for simple data storage.
  
  
  • Fetching and displaying remote data using URLSession and JSON parsing.
  
  
  • Introduction to databases: SQLite and Firebase (optional).
  
  
  • Saving user data locally with FileManager.
  
  
  
  

Module 5: Networking and APIs

• Objective: To enable students to fetch and interact with online data.


• Topics:
  
  
  
  • Making HTTP requests with URLSession.
  
  
  • Parsing JSON data.
  
  
  • Handling asynchronous calls and closures.
  
  
  • Working with RESTful APIs: Authentication, authorization, and data fetching.
  
  
  • Displaying dynamic data in UI components (e.g., TableView with data from an API).
  
  
  • Introduction to third-party libraries with CocoaPods or Swift Package Manager.
  
  
  
  

Module 6: Debugging, Testing, and App Performance

• Objective: To teach students how to ensure their apps run smoothly and are bug-free.


• Topics:
  
  
  
  • Debugging in Xcode: Breakpoints, print statements, and the console.
  
  
  • Writing unit tests with XCTest framework.
  
  
  • Introduction to Test-Driven Development (TDD).
  
  
  • Performance testing and profiling using Instruments.
  
  
  • Common performance issues in mobile apps and their solutions.
  
  
  • Best practices for app optimization.
  
  
  
  

Module 7: Advanced iOS Development Topics

• Objective: To explore more advanced topics in iOS development.


• Topics:
  
  
  
  • Push Notifications: Local and remote notifications.
  
  
  • Location Services: Working with GPS, maps, and location-based services.
  
  
  • Apple Pay Integration: Handling payments and Apple Wallet.
  
  
  • In-App Purchases: Introduction to monetizing apps.
  
  
  • App Lifecycle and Background Tasks: Managing background activities.
  
  
  • Custom Animations: Creating smooth animations using Core Animation.
  
  
  • App Security: Best practices for securing sensitive data and using Keychain.
  
  
  
  

Module 8: Final Project and App Submission

• Objective: To provide hands-on experience by building a complete app.


• Topics:
  
  
  
  • Planning and designing the app interface and architecture.
  
  
  • Implementing core features using the learned concepts.
  
  
  • Writing unit and UI tests for the project.
  
  
  • Debugging and final optimizations.
  
  
  • Preparing the app for submission to the App Store.
  
  
  • Understanding App Store guidelines and app submission process.
  
  
  • Final project presentation and code review.
  
  
  
  

Course Delivery Plan

1. Duration

• Recommended Duration: 3-4 months (can be extended based on learner progress)


• Mode: Live online classes, recorded sessions, real-time coding workshops, and hands-on projects.


• Frequency: 3 sessions per week, each lasting 1.5 to 2 hours.

2. Weekly Breakdown

• Weeks 1-4:
  
  
  
  • Module 1: Introduction to iOS Development and Xcode
  
  
  • Module 2: Introduction to Swift Programming
  
  
  
  


• Weeks 5-8:
  
  
  
  • Module 3: Designing User Interfaces
  
  
  • Module 4: Working with Data (Core Data, UserDefaults, FileManager)
  
  
  
  


• Weeks 9-12:
  
  
  
  • Module 5: Networking and APIs
  
  
  • Module 6: Debugging, Testing, and App Performance
  
  
  
  


• Weeks 13-16:
  
  
  
  • Module 7: Advanced Topics (Push Notifications, Location Services, In-App Purchases)
  
  
  • Module 8: Final Project, Debugging, and App Submission
  
  
  
  

3. Key Features

• Live Interactive Classes: Engage with instructors in real-time for problem-solving and guidance.


• Code Along Sessions: During live sessions, students will code along with instructors, building the app step-by-step.


• Hands-On Projects: Throughout the course, students will work on smaller mini-projects to practice what they've learned, culminating in a final app project.


• Weekly Assignments: Short assignments to reinforce learning after every class.


• Live Q&A Sessions: Regular Q&A sessions to address student queries and discuss challenges.


• Peer Reviews: Students can share their projects with the class for peer feedback and collaborative learning.


• App Store Submission Guidance: Step-by-step instructions on how to publish apps on the App Store.

4. Resources

• Course Material: Slides, code snippets, and additional reading materials for each module.


• GitHub Repository: A shared code repository where students can find code samples and submit assignments.


• Mobile App: Access to course materials, assignments, and progress tracking through a dedicated mobile app.


• Community Forums: A space for students to ask questions, share projects, and collaborate.

5. Performance Tracking

• Weekly Progress Reports: Track student performance through quizzes, assignments, and class participation.


• Project Reviews: Detailed feedback on mini-projects and final app project.


• Peer Code Review: Provide feedback on each other’s code for collaborative learning.


• Final Exam/Project: A comprehensive final project where students create a fully functional iOS app and submit it to the App Store (optional).