How can I develop an app on the Steem platform?

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.