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Course Description

Physical and logical organization of hierarchical, relational, and distributed database management systems; data modeling, data definition languages; query languages; management of database systems. Prerequisite: CS 250

Although the catalog description lists several forms of database organization, this class will concentrate on the design and implementation of relational database, which is the most popular form currently in use. Because of today's importance on Web-based database  applications, one component of the class will be the development of such  applications  using using various technologies.

The class will be project-oriented, in the sense that at the end of the semester, you are expected to develop a database system and complete a Web application system that manipulates the database via a Web browser. The first part of the class will emphasize theoretical underpinnings of the database design, followed by review and introduction of varous tools needed to develop Web-based applications including: HTML, Access, HTML, SQL, and PHP. The last part of the class will concentrate on the implementation of an application system on a unix-based database server.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, the student is expected to be able to:

• Explain the fundamental concepts of relational database
• Understand principles and techniques for the logical design of a database system
• Understand and write basic programs that use the Structured Query Language (SQL) for manipulating database
• Understand and write how to write and use PHP and Mysql to manipulate database
• Apply these concepts and techniques for Web applications

Text Book

Database Design for Mere Mortals, Second Edition, by Michael J. Hernandez. Addison Wesley, 2003. ISBN: 0201752840

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Topics

The following topics will be covered during the semester in varying depths. Some topics will require a more thorough coverage because they are new to most of you.  Other topics will be a review and will require less amount of class time in the class, but perhaps more effort outside the class; e.g., HTML and Access. Still others will be illustrated with examples, in order to present sufficient amount of explanation to accomplish intended tasks.  The following is a summary of technologies to be used in this class.

• Database Design
  • Relational Database
  • Entity-Relationship Model
• Access DBMS
• Database Queries
• Access Query
• Structured Query Language (SQL)
• HTML
  • Forms
  • Tables
• PHP
• SQL
• PHP and database
• Web Application

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Requirements

The following is a summary of what is expected of you for the course. Refer to the section on Grading for further details.

• Textbook Readings
• Project Assignments & Exercises
• Quizzes
• Midterm Test
• Final Exam
• Attendance

In this course you are expected to be more independent than usual, and majority of your efforts will be directed toward readings, (programming) exercises, and projects. There will be short pop quizzes throughtout the semester on topics covered in the class and or in your readings. You are expected to attend all classes, as we meet regularly for lectures, demonstrations, questions and answers, exercises, and tests.

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Tools

The following tools will be required in this class in order to complete all exercises and assignments

• FTP program (e.g., FileZilla)
• Text Editor (e.g., Editpad)
• Web Page Development System (e.g., Komposer)
• USB drive

Project Assignments

One main goal for each student is to complete a Web-based database project. The entire project is divided into several assignments, so that you will not be rushed to do everything at once. The assignments correspond to various stages of the project, and the earlier ones will concentrate on supporting topics such as Access, HTML, and VBScript. Their description, maximum points, and due dates can be found from links on the Schedule page.

Penalties for late assignments will be assessed as follows:

• 1 to 7 days late--30%. (E.g., if the maximum credit for a project assignment is 20, then such a late assignment may receive a maximum of 14 points). 
• 1 to 2 weeks late--50%
• More than 2 weeks late--70%

 If you foresee a valid reason that could cause you to turn in your assignments late--e.g., TDY, sickness, etc.--you must get a permission for special arrangements before the assignment is due.

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Tests

There will be one midterm test and one final exam. Refer to the class Schedule for their dates. When you foresee that you will not be able to make these dates for legitimate reasons, make prior arrangements with the instructor. There will be no make-up test for unexcused absences.

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Academic Honesty

The University Student Handbook defines plagiariasm as follows: "Plagiarism is the offering of another as one's own. Plagiarism is a serious offense and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Complete or partial copying directly from a published or unpublished source without proper acknowledgement to the author. Minor changes in wording or ayntax are not sufficient to avoid charges of plagiarism. Proper acknowledgment of the source of a text is always madatory.
2. Paraphrasing the work of another without proper author acknowledgment.
3. Submitting as one's own original work (however freely given or purchased) the original exam, research paper, manuscript, report, computer file, or other assignment that has been prepared by another individual."

Each student is expected to complete his or her own assignments, unless you are working on a team project, designated as such  Although modern work environments require extensive teamwork, one of the main goals in this class is that each student learn the basic concepts and skills in computer usage through individual practicing. You are encouraged to consult each other in your class work.  But you must distinguish between consulting your friends and discussing problems with them from copying other people's work.

Whatever you submit for grading must be your own work.  The penalty for copying in tests, project assignments, or lab exercises is, for the first offense, a grade of F for all parties involved; for the second offense, an F for the course. 

Attendance

This course will rely on your initiative much more than usual  classes. There are many topics that must be learned in order to be able to compete your projects, and it will not be possible to cover all details of every topic in the class. Because each phase of your project will be based on your understanding of the previous phase, it will be very difficult to do a satisfactory work in the class if your class attendance is poor.  Your attendance may be considered for up to 10% of your final grade. Your regular class attendance is expected.

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Grading

The determination of the final course grades will be guided by the following distribution of course elements.

Project Assignments (PA)	100 pts
Exercises	140 pts
Quizzes*	70 pts
Attendance*	50 pts
Midterm	100 pts
Final Exam	100 pts
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Total *	560 pts

*Total points may vary.

The following guidelines will be used in determining the final grades.

      A: = 90% B: = 80% C: = 70% D: = 60% F: < 60% 

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Getting Help

For "quick" questions the email is the simplest way to contact me. Feel free to drop in at my office during office hours or to set up an appointments outside those hours. (I am around my office usually in the afternoon.) When you need help in debugging programs, bring a copy of the code that is causing the problem.

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