The course Web site is http://www.cs.nmsu.edu/~tson/classes/fall04-482. Please visit the web-site to get the latest announcements.
The goal of this class is to provide the students with a comprehensive introduction to the design of databases and the use of database management systems for applications. Topics cover:
There will be group programming project and 10-12 written work (time allowed). This course is aimed at database design and use, and the implementation of database applications. The implementation of database management systems will not be covered in this class.
The tentative weekly schedule is here.
The class is at the introductory level but you should have some knowledge of UNIX and C. The theory part requires some knowledge of discrete mathematics as well (fixed point operator, relations, set, etc.). We will use Oracle and PHP for the implementation of the project.
We will use Oracle when we learn SQL (subject to COG's successful installation of Oracle). It will be available for use on Linux machines.
There will be around 10 to 12 assignments during the course. Assignments are usually due one week after they are given out. Homework and project are important and weight 25% of your grade. A C grade is unavoidable if you miss everything.
You will be asked to create your own significant database application from scratch. This includes:
Computed based on the standard scale of 100 points. The
components of the final grade will be distributed as follows:
90% up |
A |
80% - 89% |
B |
70%v-79% |
C |
< 70% |
D |
with the following distribution:
two midterm (25% each),
final comprehensive examination (25%),
homework assignments (7%), quizes (3%), and project (15%)
Use the homework submission and and grade web site to submit your homework. Late homework will be deducted 10% (of the total) for each day late. After 4 days, no submission will be accepted.
Students are strongly encouraged to attend class since material covered in class and not present in the textbook will be used in the tests and homeworks. Withdrawing must be done on time, in accordance with the university calendar.
The grade of I (incomplete) may be given only if you are unable to complete the course due to documented circumstances beyond your control that develop after the last day to withdraw from the course. Appropriate circumstances include illness and death or crisis in your immediate family. Consult the university catalog for regulations regarding the I grade. In no case will an I grade be assigned to avoid a grade of D or F in the course.
If you elect to be graded under the S/U option, you must declare your intention when registering for the course. All work in the class will be graded in a manner identical to that for students choosing the letter grade option. At the end of the semester, your final letter grade in the course will be used to assign either a S or an U. You must achieve a minimum grade of C in order to receive a grade of S.
It is expected that students follow the code of conduct stated in the University Student Handbook. Any violations of the code will result in a grade of F for the course, in addition to any further sanctions imposed by the university. Unless explicitly stated by the instructor, you are assumed to perform the assigned work by yourself, without any external collaboration. Note that a person copying an assignment is guilty of a violation of academic conduct, as is the person from whom the assignment was copied.
If you have or believe you have a disability and would benefit from accommodations, you may wish to self-identify. You can do so by providing documentation to the Office for Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), located at Garcia Annex Room 102 (phone: 646-6840, TTY 646-1918). If you are already registered with the SSD Office and need accommodations please provide your "Accommodations Memo" from the SSD Office within the first two weeks of class. If you have a condition which may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or which may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss this in confidence with the instructor and/or the Coordinator for SSD. Feel free to call Ms. Elva G. Telles, EEO/ADA, Employee Relations Director at 646-3333 with any questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All medical information will be held in strict confidence.
Fall 2004