Course coordinator
Associate Professor Nell Baghaei
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Elec Engineering & Comp Science School
This course introduces the student to design and development practices for multimedia content, focusing particularly on web sites. Modern design practices for the web are taught, framed by an introduction to human-centred design techniques, particularly heuristic based interface design guidelines for web interfaces and web accessibility from a global perspective. Today's web sites need to be both well designed and dynamic, thus the course also introduces some basic scripting techniques for going beyond static content. The focus of learning is activity based and incorporates both individual and team based exercises.
DECO1400 will address design & development practices for the web and will:
- Introduce students to basic web design concepts, design principles & methods, semantics & accessibility, basic networking, security & privacy concerns, with a focus on client-side development of websites.
- Introduce students to the W3C web standards model, which adopts a good practice approach to the development of websites using HTML, CSS and jQuery/JavaScript.
- Focus on activity based learning, incorporating a range of individual assessment approaches, such as discussion, consultation etc.
Course requirements
Assumed background
DECO1400 is an introductory level course. Students entering this course are assumed to have no background in web design or developing webpages, but are assumed to have a basic level of competency in using desktop-based software like text editors, web browsers etc.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
DECO7140 or IENV7961 or MMDS1400 or MMDS7961
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Nell Baghaei
Mr Ben Rose
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course will:
- Introduce students to the W3C Web Standards Model for a good practice approach to the design & development of websites.
- Introduce students to user-centred principles & methods for the design of websites.
- Introduce students to client-side technologies for the development of websites (HTML, CSS, jQuery/JavaScript).
The aims of this course are to provide students with:
- The technical skill to implement standards-based websites using client-side technologies.
- The knowledge of established design principles, user-centred design methods, basic networking, security & privacy concerns, and their application to the design of effective websites.
- The ability to communicate their intended designs to a wider audience.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate an understanding of design principles and best practice through critical review of existing websites.
LO2.
Demonstrate technical proficiency through semantic mark up of content using HTML.
LO3.
Demonstrate technical proficiency through appropriate & meaningful styling of HTML documents with CSS.
LO4.
Demonstrate technical proficiency by adding appropriate & meaningful interactivity to HTML documents using jQuery/JavaScript.
LO5.
Apply the appropriate design principles & methods to the effective design of user-centred websites.
LO6.
Implement a best practice standards based approach to the development of websites.
LO7.
Effectively communicate design & development decisions in written & oral form.
LO8.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of privacy, networking & security management in the context of web design.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product/ Design, Project | Website Design | 15% |
2/04/2026 4:00 pm |
| Participation/ Student contribution |
RiPPLE
|
10% |
24/04/2026 4:00 pm |
| Computer Code, Project | Website Implementation | 25% |
25/05/2026 4:00 pm |
| Presentation |
In-person Review
|
50% |
In-person Review 1 (20%): During Week 8 Studio sessions 24/04/2026 In-person Review 2 (30%): During Week 13 Studio sessions 29/05/2026 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Website Design
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Product/ Design, Project
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
2/04/2026 4:00 pm
Task description
Students will be asked to design a website in response to a provided project brief in a thoughtful and creative manner, based on the concepts they learn during the course.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Students will upload their report on Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 7 days as feedback will be provided within 14 days.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
RiPPLE
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
24/04/2026 4:00 pm
Task description
Students will be participating in an online platform throughout semester where they create, moderate and answer questions (refer to Blackboard for more details).
Opens 04/03/2026, closes 4pm 24/04/2026
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
Submission guidelines
Students will create and respond to questions on RiPPLE platform via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Website Implementation
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Computer Code, Project
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
25/05/2026 4:00 pm
Task description
Students will be asked to implement a website in response to a provided project brief in a thoughtful and creative manner, based on the concepts they learn during the course. This assessment will require submission of HTML/CSS/JavaScript files that comprise a functioning website.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Students will upload their submission on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 7 days as feedback will be provided within 14 days.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
In-person Review
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
In-person Review 1 (20%): During Week 8 Studio sessions 24/04/2026
In-person Review 2 (30%): During Week 13 Studio sessions 29/05/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
Task description
Students need to attend two In-person Review sessions during Week 8 and 13 studio sessions and answer questions related to their web design (Week 8) and Web implementation (Week 13) submissions.
In-person Review 1 (20%): During Week 8 Studio sessions
In-person Review 2 (30%): During Week 13 Studio sessions (condition: hurdle)
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Students will complete two in‑person reviews as part of this course. The first review (Week 8) is graded (20%) but does not form part of the hurdle requirement. Its purpose is to provide detailed feedback on progress and identify areas for improvement. If a student does not perform satisfactorily in this review, they will have the opportunity to meet with course staff to discuss what went wrong and outline a plan for improvement. This meeting does not change the grade awarded for the first review. The second in‑person review (30%) constitutes the hurdle requirement, and students must receive a passing grade in this review to satisfy the hurdle. Failure to pass the second review will result in a final grade of 3 for the course, irrespective of performance in other assessment items.Submission guidelines
Students need to attend In-person Review sessions in Week 8 and 13 and answer questions related to their web design (Week 8) and web implementation (Week 13) submissions.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Accommodations are available for students who have documented grounds for being absent (e.g. students who are approved an extension will need to attend a make-up session for their in-person review). In accordance with UQ Assessment Policy, students who do not attend their allocated in-person review sessions in Week 8 and 13 studios are only given one chance to re-schedule. If they do not attend the rescheduled session, they will be awarded 0 marks.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Consistent with industry practice around presentations to clients/industry partners, no late submissions will be accepted and a 100% late penalty applies.
This has been approved by the Associate Dean (Academic)
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has failed to submit multiple pieces of assessment and has failed to demonstrate any knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts in web design/development. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has failed to demonstrate accurate, relevant knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts in web design/development. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student has demonstrated some knowledge of the course, but the student has only a limited understanding of the underlying concepts in web design/development. The submitted work is largely inaccurate or irrelevant, demonstrating a rudimentary level of technical proficiency. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has demonstrated basic skills and competency and has sound knowledge of relevant information. The submitted work demonstrates at least a basic understanding of the underlying concepts in web design/development, demonstrating a satisfactory level of technical proficiency. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has demonstrated basic skills and competency and has sound knowledge of relevant information. The submitted work demonstrates a sound understanding of the underlying concepts in web design/development, demonstrating a good level of technical proficiency. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has demonstrated key concepts and there is a clear ability to apply these to the design & development process. The submitted work demonstrates a strong level of technical proficiency in web design/development. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student has demonstrated key concepts, used with credible judgment in the design & development process. There is evidence of critical analysis and synthesis of information, concepts and skills from different aspects of the course. The submitted work demonstrates a high level of technical proficiency in web design/development. |
Additional course grading information
The final grade for the course will be initially constructed from the individual grades according to assessment weightings and then rounded to the nearest integer. At the discretion of the course coordinator, final grades may be moderated.
In order to pass the course as a whole, students must pass the In-person review assessments, with a final grade of at least a Pass for each review.
Failure to meet this requirement will result in the final grade being capped at Fail (3), regardless of performance in other assessment items.
Identity Verified Assessment:
In order to meet the IVAH requirements of the course, students are required to participate in In-person Check-in sessions scheduled in Week 8 and 13 allocated Contact sessions. Students are required to present valid UQ Student ID at the time of the demonstration. BEFORE attending your demonstration, you should ensure that your UQ Student ID is valid.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Seeking Course Help:
If you are having difficulties with any aspect of the course material, you should seek help. Speak to your course demonstrators and/or the course coordinator.
If external circumstances are affecting your ability to work on the course, you should seek help as soon as possible. The University and UQ Union have organisations and staff who are able to help. For example, UQ Student Services are able to help with study and exam skills, tertiary learning skills, writing skills, financial assistance, personal issues, and disability services (among other things).
Complaints and criticisms should be directed in the first instance to the course coordinator. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may bring the matter to the attention of the School of EECS Director of Teaching and Learning.
When Submitting Assessments to Blackboard:
Please allow plenty of time for submission to Blackboard as many students are attempting the same task at the same time. Be sure to allow enough time for uploading of assessment files. It is YOUR responsibility to check that submissions have been uploaded correctly.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
All announcements, assessment briefs & learning resources (including session outlines, lecture slides/recordings etc) will be delivered via the DECO1400 Blackboard site. All lectures are recorded, with recordings made available shortly after the lecture has finished.
All students are expected to check their student email account regularly (preferably daily) and the DECO1400 Blackboard site prior to any major activities. Many sessions will require students to prepare materials for use during the session.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Studio |
Studios from Week 1 to 13 Develop & demonstrate an understanding of design principles & methods essential for effective web design, and technical proficiency using client-side technologies: HTML + CSS + jQuery/Javascript |
Lecture |
Lectures from Week 1 to 13 Lectures will cover design principles, methods, technologies & standards applicable to web design & development. |
Additional learning activity information
Students will have an opportunity to receive informal feedback during the studio sessions prior to Census (Week 6).
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: