Syllabus for CSC 240: Database Management Systems (Fall 2015)


line


Contact Information
Thomas E. Blum
Office: Holroyd-133
Office Hours:
  • Tues. 9:30 - 11:00 (Holroyd 133 or Holroyd 124)
  • Thurs. 9:30 - 11:00 (Holroyd 133 or Holroyd 124)
  • Fri. 2:00 - 3:00 (Holroyd 133 or Holroyd 124)
  • Or by appointment
Phone: 215.951.1139
e-mail: blum@lasalle.edu
Web: http://www.lasalle.edu/~blum
Department office: Holroyd 123
Department phone: 215.951.1130

Topics: This course includes components of database systems, database models: entity-relationship, relational, hierarchical, network; normalization, integrity, relational algebra, query languages, system security, distributed databases, and social and ethical concerns. In addition, case studies using a relational DBMS will be implemented.

Section & credits

 Section: 01
Credits: 3

Meetings (Time and Place)

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00-9:50 in Holroyd 155

Holidays:
Labor day: Mon, Sept. 7
Midsemester break: Mon, Oct. 19 & Tues, Oct. 20
Thanksgiving: Wed, Nov. 25 & Thurs, Nov. 26 & Fri, Nov. 27

Other important dates:
Classes start: Aug. 31
Midsemester grades due: Oct. 21
Last day to withdraw: Nov. 6
Classes end: Dec. 11
Finals week: Dec. 14 - Dec 18

Course Calendar Link

 http://www.lasalle.edu/~blum/c240-cal-f15.htm

Text:

 Database Design for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design (Third Edition) by Michael J. Hernandez (ISBN-13: 978-0-321-88449-7 ISBN-10: 0-321-88449-3)

Blown to Bits: Your Life, Liberty, and Happiness After the Digital Explosion (First Edition) by Hal Abelson, Ken Ledeen, Harry Lewis (ISBN-13: 978-0137135592 ISBN-10: 0137135599)

Some Websites:

Online Books:

To find one set of relevant ebooks in La Salle University Connelly Library collection, go to the online catalog and do a keyword search on "safari online".

Title(s) relevant to this course:

  • Learning PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, and CSS: a step-by-step guide to creating dynamic websites / Robin Nixon
  • Beginning PHP and MySQL: from novice to professional / W. Jason Gilmore

Learning Objectives

 Students should be able to:
  • Use database terminology properly
  • Discuss issues such as data integrity and data redundancy that motivate how data is organized in a database
  • Model a scenario using the entity-relationship approach
  • Identify relational algebra concepts
  • Apply normalization principles to arrive at a database design
  • Implement a database using a standard database management system
  • Use SQL to create ad hoc queries
  • Use SQL scripts to transport databases
  • Discuss maintaining data integrity during database transactions.
  • Identify potential issues of privacy and security connected with databases and discuss various mitigations thereof (including views)
  • Discuss the pros and cons of easy access to and analysis of data

Assessment:

There will be a weekly lab as well as a weekly homework. There will be three tests and a final. There will be a project. The various components of the course will be weighted as follows:

        Lab/Homework: 24%
        Project(s): 12%
        Tests: 32% (lowest dropped)
        Final: 32%
or if it benefits the student
        Lab/Homework: 24%
        Project(s): 12%
        Tests: 48% (no drop)
        Final: 16%
  • The plus/minus grading system will be used.
  • Attendance will be taken.
  • Absences, lateness, inattention, etc. will be factored into the lab/class component of the grade.
  • Over three unexcused absences may result in the reduction of your final grade.
  • Homework and lab assignments will be submitted using the Canvas course management system. If any difficulties using that system are encountering, assignments (zipped up as appropriate) will be emailed.
  • One ongoing homework assignment will be to read and summarize or react to sections from the Blown to Bits book. This will consist of a one-page Word document with normal margins (Top and Bottom: 1", Left and Right 1.25") using 12-pt Times New Roman font and double spacing (Format/Paragraph/Line Spacing: double). It must be obvious that you have read the chapter.
  • Homeworks and labs are due a week after they are assigned. Labs and homeworks submitted after the test on the relevant material will not be eligible for full credit.
  • The lowest of the three test grades will be dropped. The final has a weight equal to two tests. If the final is the lowest grade, it will be counted equal to a test and no test grade will be dropped.
  • Make-up tests are given at the discretion of the professor. If you miss a test, you should assume it will serve as your dropped score unless you have met with me to discuss the reason for missing the exam and to schedule a make-up.
  • All tests are cumulative, though they will tend to focus on and give more weight to the new material.
  • It is your responsibility to keep copies of all of your assignments, tests and so forth at least until you receive your final grade for the course.

Classroom Behavior:

While in the classroom, students should behave in a manner that is neither distracting to nor disrespectful to the professor or other students. Cell phones should be turned off.

Cheating:

 When using materials from a book, website, etc., the source must be cited, otherwise it is considered plagiarism. Claiming another's work as your own is cheating. A student caught cheating will receive a score of zero. Repeated cheating can result in a failing grade for the course. Asking another for help on a step or two in a many step homework is acceptable; handing in duplicate or nearly duplicate work is not. If you require a significant amount of assitance, you should seek my help. Finally, openly allowing your work to be copied is also cheating.

http://www.lasalle.edu/students/dean/divpub/manuals/sgrrr/index.php?accordion_num=2&vn2_accordion_num=3&content=policies&anchorID=inte (Academic Integrity Policy)
http://www.lasalle.edu/students/dean/divpub/manuals/sgrrr/index.php?accordion_num=2&vn2_accordion_num=3&content=policies&anchorID=dish (Academic Dishonesty)

Some Tutoring

 Tutoring for various subject areas (70+ courses) is available for La Salle undergraduates. Subject tutors help students identify what as well as how to learn, clarify course content, and help students understand their strengths and weaknesses regarding the subject matter. Students should take advantage of tutoring at the first indication of difficulty in a course or whenever they wish to improve their performance or knowledge in a course, for example, to improve grades or to maintain high grades. Students can make tutoring appointments through GradesFirst located under Tools in the mylasalle portal. For students who have created their own study groups but would like a tutor to assist the group with the material, “facilitated study groups” can be arranged. For more information, contact Kitty Kaar at 215.951.1822 or kaar@lasalle.edu

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science sometimes has "walk-in" computer science tutoring available. If available the time and place will be announced.

Academic Skills Workshops

 Academic Skills Workshops are offered face to face and online on a variety of topics such as study strategies, documentation styles, test taking, group study, and time management. A number of workshops are also archived online so students are advised to go to www.lasalle.edu/portal/learningsupport for workshop descriptions, dates, and times. Additional academic resources are available online as well. For more information, contact Mary Robertson at robertso@lasalle.edu or Jaime Longo at longoj@lasalle.edu

Student Resources

 https://lasalle.instructure.com/courses/1772 includes links to
  • Student Guide on how to use Canvas
  • Student Guide to Resources, Rights and Responsibilities
  • Academic Integrity Policy
  • American Disabilities Act
  • IT Help Desk Support
  • Academic and Learning Support Services
  • Library Resources in Canvas
  • Library

line