KF6013 - Cloud Computing and Web API Programming

To help you succeed in this module you will attend or follow a series of lectures that will introduce the general concepts and principles of cloud computing and web application programming interfaces (APIs). Together with the lectures you will attend associated workshops or follow work sheets that will put into practice the concepts and ideas covered in the lectures in practical exercises to support, reinforce and strengthen them. You will learn best by actively studying the module material. Importantly, where applicable, you will also learn at work, through reflecting on your experiences and applying your knowledge from the module to your practice in the workplace.

You will be expected to study outside of class time each week for around double the class contact time. Your lecturers may give you specific exercises to follow, which would typically be to complete a workshop task started in class. You will greatly extend your understanding by studying independently and reading more widely than the taught material.

If you are studying a Degree Apprenticeship you will also learn at work, by reflecting on your experiences and applying your knowledge from the module to your practice in the workplace. The workshops will introduce you to theories and concepts and allow you to discuss with the tutors and your peers how these relate to your own work based experiences and practice. The workplace provides an opportunity for you to put your own knowledge and skills into practice and review your learning with your manager/mentor. The standard delivery is Newcastle Campus class room based, however if your employer has a contract with the university that indicates you may study remotely then you will be able to attend the classes virtually. In this case, you will follow lectures via webcasts and attend online seminars / workshops. The use of Blackboard Collaborate (or similar) will be employed to enable this.

Staff will support you in the practical exercises, engaging in discussion, both in class and online, and providing advice and feedback on your progress. Your tutors value your input and opinions and will engage in discussion with you, examining your ideas and those of others. You will be strongly encouraged to engage in further study outside of class time by yourself or with other students to become an independent learner. This is an essential capability in every area of Computing, whose utility will long outlive the detail of current technical approaches.

This module will use and promote an eLP (Blackboard) based discussion forum. This will be configured to encourage you, other students and academic staff to participate in discussion.

If you are studying for a Degree Apprenticeship additional support will be available from your work place mentor who will encourage you to reflect upon how you work and studies interact and complement one another.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Design and develop web based applications that integrate with third party web services.
2. Design, develop, and integrate Web services into a secure Cloud based web application, considering Cloud Computing security risks

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Critically evaluate the real cost of Cloud Computing based applications and services in relation to the service cost, architecture, and development time.
4. Evaluate and select appropriate Web Service components for Cloud based web applications.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Communicate the value proposition of Cloud Computing based applications and services in relation to the service cost and its development time.

For the summative assessment you will design, construct, and provision an appropriate Cloud Computing resource to satisfy meaningful tasks in a web application scenario with supporting documentation. This will test the practical skills developed throughout the module. The supporting documentation is a report of no more than 1500 words and provides a critique of the chosen cloud solution. Written feedback will be provided on your work. The assessment assesses MLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.


Formative assessment will take the form of practical tasks in workshop exercises. Verbal feedback and guidance will be provided on these during the workshop sessions.

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In this module you will develop your knowledge of Cloud Computing, its development tools and techniques, and of deploying external web services in web sites using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Cloud Computing is a disruptive technology that is lowering the entry threshold for new web initiatives. In this module you will gain an appreciation of how business and industry can utilise Cloud Computing to leverage innovation and business advantage, together with the technical skills to support such developments. You will also develop skills in critically interpreting current practice, for non-technical colleagues. That is, you will be able to explain the implications of adapting new technologies in relation to their cost benefits to your future colleagues or employees. The assessment will involve designing, constructing, and provisioning an appropriate Cloud Computing resource for a web application scenario.