Prerequisites

CSC933

Learning Outcomes

The student should:

• be able to use the standard facilities of XHTML in the design of (static) web pages, including the use of CSS,
• understand the nature and purpose of markup languages generally,
• understand the significance of XML for data transfer,
• be familiar with the basic structure of XML documents, DTDs and W3C Schemas,
• understand XML-related technologies such as XSLT and XPath,
• have gained experience in using a command-line interface during software development,
• have gained experience with Java programming for XML,
• understand the concept of information security and related security threats,
• understand common approaches improving security including symmetric and public key cryptography,
• understand the need for a structured approach to systems development,
• understand different approaches to systems analysis, particularly Soft Systems Methodology.
• be able to demonstrate the ability to apply theory and techniques to unseen problems without reference to notes, to work independently and under a time constraint.

Transferable Skills

• Ability to design and write web sites using XHTML, XML, XSLT, CSS.
• Ability to use XML to design portable data formats.
• Appreciation for the need for information security approaches.
• Appreciation for the need for a methodology for analysis and design of information systems.

Contents

• XML: an introduction
• XHTML and CSS
• Review of HTML
• Use of stylesheets
• The W3C agenda, markup languages generally, motivation for XML, XHTML
• XML: detail
• XSLT and XPath
• Presentation-oriented transformations
• DTDs and Schemas; namespaces
• Use of the MSDOS command-line interface
• Java and XML
• SAX and DOM
• XML Applications
• XML Application Tour
• Scalable Vector Graphics, Silverlight, Web Services, XML Metadata
• XML Databases
• Systems Analysis
• Social, ethical and organisational themes
• Comparison of different methodologies
• Hard Systems Methodology
• Soft Systems Methodology
• Information Security

Assessment

• Assignment (XHTML/XSLT/CSS) (25%)
• Assignment (20%)
• Checkpoints (5%)
• Exam (50%)

Module requirements

In order to obtain a pass grade for the module, you must:

• submit all items of assessed coursework
• attend the examination.

If you fail to submit any item of assessed coursework, you will be awarded no grade for the module as a whole. This rule may be relaxed for students who can show good cause for failure to submit. ‘Good cause’ may include illness (for which a medical certificate or other evidence will be required). If a repeat examination is taken (First Degree Regulations, Regulation 11), then the final grade is obtained from the mark for that repeat examination together with the original assignment marks. The grade obtained following a repeat examination is limited to 3C at best, and will not be lower than the original grade.

If you are unable to attend the exam, you must apply to the Student Programmes Office for a deferred exam.

Attendance requirements

In addition to the above, regulation 14 of the University’s First Degree Regulations sets out attendance rules for classes that have been defined by the Department as prescribed. In this module, the prescribed classes are tutorials and practical classes. Attendance at lectures is also extremely important for successful completion of the module. We will keep records of your attendance at all lectures, tutorials and practical classes.

Module website

Information relating to the module will be posted on the module website at http://www.cs.stir.ac.uk/courses/CSC9T4/ This website will be updated frequently during the course of the semester. The CSC9T4 timetable, giving times of lectures, tutorials, and practicals is available by clicking on Schedule in the list on the left.