Limiting the course to mobile, and to iOS in particular, allows the course to focus on fundamentals (design choices, architecture choices, playtesting, etc) while still getting raw technical experience and a real app done.

As another commenter mentioned, porting is easy with Cocos2D, and also learning a new platform is simple when the rest of the software development process is better prepared.

I'm an Android developer myself, I think this course sounds like a wonderful way to breed technically competent game designers even though it just focuses on iOS.

All games built using Cocos2D can be ported to Android within minutes using Apportable!

The same question why should anyone just offer a class in Python, in Ruby, in X language? Because that's the whole point of the course. Because the instructor probably better at iOS development. Because they can.

Why learn basic addition when you can learn calculus?

And that comparison would be valid for what? Are you suggesting Mobile games are more sophisticated ?

No, I was suggesting that it might be better to learn one thing before learning another.

Sure, but why would mobile should be learnt first, then? I'd just like to understand your train of thought.

How about "Because you like mobile games?"

Of course, if you prefer desktop games, learn to make those first. Either way, go with what you enjoy.

Because there's no way that you as a n00b to game development can make an "impressive game for desktops" in 8 short weeks.