Since you mentioned that you are an engineering student and good at programming it should not be difficult for you at all. you can find API for developers at https://developers.steem.io/
in there, you will notice you have different sections. you can find tutorials at https://developers.steem.io/tutorials/#tutorials-javascript
If you want to just query steem blockchain you can use SBDS at https://developers.steem.io/services/#services-sbds
You will also find material on using steem connect in here which is used by dozens of apps including musing.io
Appbase APIs can be found https://developers.steem.io/apidefinitions/#apidefinitions-account-history-api
There are other resources developed by the community which you may find useful they are listed https://developers.steem.io/community/#community-overview
with above you should be able to put your programming skills to good use and develop an app quickly.