Outline

Overview

This unit provides students with the skills necessary to design and develop rich, interactive, and web-based applications. This unit focusses on developing students' skills in JavaScript, the primary programming language of interactive web-based experiences. On completion of this unit, students will be able to build and deploy interactive web applications. Students will learn about design principles and patterns for the web and apply them in practical exercises that involve designing and creating interactive web applications. This unit enables students to develop design concepts that utilise application programming interfaces, user input, and simple databases.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Design Lab
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	DECO1016
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Experience programming (ideally JavaScript or TypeScript)
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Joel Flanagan, joel.flanagan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Joel Flanagan, joel.flanagan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Samuel Gillespie, samuel.gillespie@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	[A3] Reflection Written reflection on the performance and user experience of the '[A2] Web App Prototype' assessment.	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 09 Jun 2026 at 23:59	1500 Words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	[EFT] Coding Challenge Multiple Choice Quiz and Interactive Coding Challenge #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 18 Mar 2026	1 Hour	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	[A1] Dev Blog Regular contributions to an ongoing blog documenting the development process, challenges, and progress of the '[A2] Web App Prototype' assessment.	35%	Week 11 Due date: 15 May 2026 at 23:59	4 to 6 blog posts (~400–600 words each)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	[A2] Web App Prototype Web application prototype with accompanying source code.	35%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59	25 Hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

[EFT] Coding Challenge

Students will complete a take-home online task to give them an idea of what kind of work will be required in the unit.

[A1] Dev. Blog

Students will document the planning, design and development of their web application, focusing on assessing functional requirements. This includes identifying goals, constraints, feasibility and user needs and presenting a clear plan using appropriate diagrams and tools.

[A2] Web App Prototype

Students will develop a functional web application prototype based on their proposed design. The prototype should demonstrate the application’s core features and be accompanied by source code

[A3] Reflection

Students will submit a written post-mortem evaluating their web application prototype. This reflection will assess the system’s performance, usability, and areas for improvement, considering both technical and experiential aspects.

Attendance

Students should be present and engaged in their learning during classes. Late arrival/early departure will be deemed as an absence. Students who do not meet the minimum 90% threshold, who have reasonable evidence to support their absence, may be offered the opportunity to sit an alternative assessment to pass this unit at the discretion of the unit coordinator.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction an excellent standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Intro and Web Design Recap	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Intro and Web Design Recap	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Handling Input	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Handling Input	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Server-Driven Dynamism	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Server-Driven Dynamism	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Making Data Persistent	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Making Data Persistent	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Client-Server Communication	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Client-Server Communication	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Assessment Briefing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Designing Application Flow	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Designing Application Flow	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Modular Design and Flexible Systems	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Modular Design and Flexible Systems	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Designing Data	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Designing Data	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Deployment and Integrations	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Deployment and Integrations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Testing and Analytics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Testing and Analytics	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Security, Ethics and Accessibility	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Security, Ethics and Accessibility	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Project Studio	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Project Studio	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance in this unit is mandatory, and unexplained absences will result in penalties to your final grade. Specifically, if you miss more than one class and do not provide an explanation, your overall grade for this unit will be penalised by 3% per additional unexplained absence.
Absences may be explained by emailing your tutor with a valid reason for your non-attendance, which includes illness, caring responsibilities, misadventure, unexpected work requirements, or other personal circumstances, but not conducting regular paid work.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. assess the functional requirements of web sites and applications
LO2. design and develop web sites and applications using modern tools
LO3. evaluate the performance and user experience of deployed web systems

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to feedback from staff and students, we’ve made several updates to improve the unit. The content has been restructured for a more gradual start, making the learning curve more approachable and helping students transition into advanced topics with confidence. Assessments have been simplified and realigned with learning outcomes, reducing the workload while ensuring alignment with key skills. The lecture has been moved to a more convenient time, providing students with the opportunity to engage with the material and reflect before attending tutorials. These changes are designed to help create a more supportive and effective learning experience this semester.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

[EFT] Coding Challenge

[A1] Dev. Blog

[A2] Web App Prototype

[A3] Reflection

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

DECO2017: Advanced Web Design

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

[EFT] Coding Challenge

[A1] Dev. Blog

[A2] Web App Prototype

[A3] Reflection

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links