Web technology

Course goals

Internet is the most relevant information technology of our age. World Wide Web is its most important application. We all use it daily for our routine information tasks. In this course, you will learn the architecture of WWW, its main protocols, representation formats, and development technologies. The practical component of the course will focus on design and implementation of Web applications that are interactive and secure.

Content

The course is based on the http protocol and its add ons. You´ll learn relevant technologies and programming languages such as (X)HTML, CSS, JavaScript and frameworks. The participant will need to learn the associated jargon. ​The development of the World Wide Web is looked upon from a historical context and both concepts as well as various technical aspects of the WWW are elaborated.

Instructional modes
- Lectures. Most of the course material is delivered through standard lectures accompanied by PowerPoint slides. Lectures take place twice a week. After each lecture, its slides are made available.

- Practical Classes. Practical classes follow the lectures and are conducted by teaching assistants. They can help you find answers to practical questions and progress with your homework assignments. Practical classes will be available in both face-to-face and online (over MS Teams) modes.

- Homework Assignments: Homework assignments are set out to help you practice knowledge acquired during lectures. They are done in groups of three. You can choose to form your group. If you need help the instructor will assign you to a group. Assignments will gradually develop; thus, you will be able to reuse and develop your code throughout the course. Keep in mind, that Assignment 3 is much more challenging than the first two. You are given enough time to complete it, make sure to start using this time as soon as possible.

Tests
The course has two main exams: the midterm and the final. The midterm covers the material of the first half of lectures. The final covers the second half. Both exams will take place on campus. Both exams are digital; you will take them in the UU assessment system Remindo. You will have 120 minutes to answer exam questions, if you are a student registered for extra time during exams, you will have 140 minutes. Some exam questions are more practical, and some will assess your knowledge of important concepts and facts.

Grading procedure
The course has two main components contributing to your grade: homework assignments and exams. Homework assignments allow you to demonstrate your practical skills, while exams test your overall understanding of the subject, including factual and theoretical knowledge. Besides, while homework assignments are done in groups, exams are individual. Additionally, a small quiz-component has been added to grading this year. The course grade is computed as follows:

• Assignment 1 (Static Webpage (HTML, Accessibility, CSS, Responsive design): 7,5%
• Assignment 2 (Dynamic Webpage, Client-side JavaScript): 12,5%
• Assignment 3 (Web application): 25%
• In-class Quizzes (Short pop-up quizzes starting L3): 5%
• Midterm Exam (Lectures 1-7): 25%
• Final Exam (Lectures 8-14): 25%

To pass the course you need to:

• submit all homework assignments (hence, even if an assignment is not fully complete, do submit it to get a non-zero grade for it);
• obtain the average assignment grade of 5.5 or more;
• take 2 exams (the retake can be used to substitute a missing exam);
• obtain the average exam grade of 4.5 or more;
• obtain the overall course grade of 5.5 or more.

The retake exam will cover the entire course material. It is used as a substitute for either the midterm or the final exam. If you miss one of the exams, score too low on the exams (the average exam grade is below 4.5), or get the overall course grade between 4.0 and 5.5, you are eligible for a retake.
You cannot retake homework assignments.
If you want to get the best possible grade, treat the deadline for assignments as strict. If you miss a deadline, you have one more day to submit the assignment by e-mail, but you lose 25% of the grade for it.

Attendance
Attendance of both lectures and practical classes are 100% voluntary. Having said that, I advise attendance. Besides an obvious opportunity to learn something about Web technology you will get help with your HW assignments and meet your peers.

Group Work
Homework assignments will be done in groups of three. All groups must be registered with the teaching assistant. Working in pairs is possible as well. Individual work is not forbidden, but strongly advised against. It is always a surprise for students how much work is required for Assignment 3. Completing it alone can be exhausting. Requirements and deadlines will not be adjusted for the group size.