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Syllabus

Recommended Text:

Database Systems: Introduction to Databases and Data Warehouses, Edition 2.0, ©2021, Prospective Press.
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Course Description:

Introduction to database concepts, data independence, logical and physical views of data base systems. Data models: hierarchical, network, and relational. Data description languages, query functions, relational algebra. Substantial software project required. Satisfies University Studies VI: Common Requirements/Capstone Course.


Prerequisite: CSC 331

Class meeting assigned times (CG 2055): Section 001: MW 12:30-1:45; Section 002: MW 2:00-3:15

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students understand advantages and disadvantages to using database management systems. [Core-DB Systems]
  2. Students comprehend major objectives of database design. [Core-Info Mgmt.]
  3. Students understand the core terms, concepts, and tools of database management systems. [Core-Info Mgmt.][Core-DB Systems]
  4. Students gain experience modeling data. [Core-Data Modeling]
  5. Students gain experience implementing a fully functional database system. [Core- Info Mgmt.][Core-DB Systems][CAP1]
  6. Students gain experience working with a group on a substantial software development project. [CAP1]

Grades will be determined as follows:

Labs (lowest two dropped)20%
Quizzes and homework:20%
Group project:24%
Test 1:12%
Test 2:12%
Final Exam:12%

Grades will be assigned using the scale below:

93 – 100A70 – 72C-
90 – 92A-73 – 76C
87 – 89B+67 – 69D+
83 – 86B63 – 66D
80 – 82B-60 – 62D-
77 – 79C+0 - 59 F

Coursework:

There are a variety of assignments for this course:

  1. In-class labs are intended for you to practice the material and are graded only on the quality and completeness of the attempt instead of the correctness of the attempt. This means that you might receive 100% on a lab even if it is incorrect. It is the student's responsibility to compare his or her submission to the given solution discussed in the next class. Because lab solutions will be covered in the next class, lab due dates are 11:59pm prior to the next class. Late labs will not be accepted. For this reason, two lab scores will be dropped.
  2. Quizzes and homework are assigned in Canvas and are meant to be done independently, outside of class. Homework and quiz due dates are firm at 11:59pm on the given due date.
  3. A substantial group project is due on the last day of classes. Specific requirements will be discussed in class. Groups may be made of 2-5 students. The project score will count 24% of the final grade. Group participation as reported by group members is used in the determination of project scores. Any group member whose participation average is below 50% of his/her equitable share will receive that proportion of the project grade. For example, if a group contains 5 members, each member's equitable share is 20%. If one person's participation average is only 10%, that is half of his/her equitable share, so that person will only receive 50% of the final project group score. A group member who does above and beyond his or her fair share may get points added to their individual score.

Late submissions will be accepted for quizzes and homeworks. These are subject to a 20% late penalty.

Tests: There will be two in-class tests and a final exam which will count 12% each. The dates of the tests will be posted on the course calendar and announced in class. The final exam dates are determined by the university. Secion 001 (12:30 class) will take the final on Friday, 5/3, 11:30-2:30, Section 002 (2:00 class) will take the exam on Monday, 5/6, 3:00-6:00. Please make every effort to attend class on the test dates. Make-up tests can only be given in extreme situations beyond the student's control and with verifiable documentation.

Incomplete grades are given rarely and only in very specific situations. First, the student must be passing. Next, the student must be able to complete the work of the course entirely on his or her own. Finally, the student must be prevented from completing the course by verified, unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the student. These conditions must be documented and verified before an incomplete grade may be given.

Attendance

Attendance is expected at every class meeting. Plan to take tests in person. Class participation may be used in the determination of your final grade, particularly if you are “close” to the next higher or lower grade.

Calendar

It is the student’s responsibility to check the online calendar (which is subject to change) and to complete the assignments as indicated. Failure to check the calendar daily is not an acceptable excuse for missing a due date.

Students with Disabilities

Students with diagnosed disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services (962-7555). Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need. If you require accommodation for test-taking, please make sure I have the referral letter no less than three days before the test.

Expectations

All members of UNCW’s community are expected to follow the academic Honor Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook and available here: http://www.uncw.edu/odos/honorcode/). Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class.

Please be especially familiar with UNCW’s position on plagiarism as outlined in the UNCW Student Handbook. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you take someone else’s ideas and represent them as your own. Here are some examples of plagiarism:

  1. You write about someone else’s work in your paper and do not give them credit for it by referencing them.
  2. You give a presentation and use someone else’s ideas and do not state that the ideas are the other person’s.
  3. You get facts from your textbook or some other reference material and do not reference that material.

The University’s policy on the responsible use of electronic resources also applies to all work for this course. See uncw.edu/policies/documents/07.100_Resp_Use_of_Elec_Resources0807.pdf.

Any dissemination of class notes, lecture slides, recordings, handouts, copies of exams, or any other course materials without permission of the instructor is prohibited by UNCW policy. UNCW Copyright Use and Ownership Policy specifies that class notes and related materials are considered derivative of original intellectual property of the course instructor. Therefore, the instructor (not the student) owns the copyright and must provide specific permission to distribute and/or reuse those materials for anything other than personal use and scholarship by the student. Commercial use, display, or dissemination of such notes, copies, or recordings—as well as posting to websites--will generally constitute an infringement of copyright and the Honor Code. Materials that qualify as student-owned are listed in the policy.

Title IX:

UNCW takes all forms of interpersonal violence very seriously. When students disclose, first- or third-hand to faculty or staff about sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence and/or stalking, this information must be reported to the administration in order to ensure that students' rights are protected, appropriate resources are offered, and the need for further investigation is explored to maintain campus safety. There are three confidential resources who do not need to report interpersonal violence: UNCW CARE, the Student Health Center, and the Counseling Center. If you want to speak to someone in confidence, these resources are available, including CARE's 24-hour crisis line (910-512-4821). For more information visit uncw.edu/titleix and uncw.edu/care.

Tips for success:

Seek help when you need it and as soon as you need it. Feel free to contact me via e-mail or in office hours. I can probably help you most quickly via e-mail, which I check several times a day. I am also happy to schedule times to meet with you if office hours don’t work for you.