Syllabus for CSC 240:
Database

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Contact Information
Thomas E. Blum
Office: H-133
Office Hours:  Mon. 2:00-3:00, Tues. 9:00-10:00, Tues. 2:00-3:00 and Thurs. 9:00-10:00, or by appointment
Phone: 215-951-1139
e-mail: blum@lasalle.edu
Web: http://www.lasalle.edu/~blum

The course covers components of database systems, database models (mainly entity-relationship), normalization, integrity, relational algebra, query languages, system security, distributed databases, social and ethical concerns. Case studies are implementated using relational DBMS.
Relevant e-books:
  1. Access 2007 for dummies [electronic resource] / by Laurie Ulrich-Fuller, Ken Cook & : c2007
  2. Oracle SQL by example [electronic resource] / Alice Rischert : c2004
  3. MySQL Cookbook [electronic resource] / Paul DuBois : c2003
  4. Database nation the death of privacy in the 21st century [electronic resource]  Simson Garfinkel : 2001
(These books are available as part of the library's Safari On-line collection. Go to the library catalog webpage and do a keyword search on "safari e-book".)
Some website references:
  1. http://databases.about.com/od/administration/a/glossary.htm
  2. http://www.geekgirls.com/database_dictionary.htm
  3. http://www.nwdatabase.com/database-glossary.htm
  4. http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=73
  5. http://www.webopedia.com/
  6. http://whatis.techtarget.com/#

Assessment:

 There will be weekly labs and/or classwork as well as weekly homework. There will be three exams, a project and a final. The various components of the course will be weighted as follows:

      Lab/Homework: 24%
      Project(s): 12%
      Tests (3): 48%
      Final: 16%
or if it is beneficial (to the individual student)
      Lab/Homework: 24%
      Project(s): 12%
      Tests (lowest test dropped): 32%
      Final: 32%
  • Many homework assignments will include a summary of or reaction to a chapter in the Database Nation. This will consist of a one-page Word document with normal margins (Top and Bottom: 1", Left and Right 1.25") using 12-pt font and double spacing (Format/Paragraph/Line Spacing: double). You can summarize or react to the chapter, but it must be obvious that you have read the chapter.
  • 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.
  • Unless an extension has been granted, a late assignment will be penalized 5 pts. (out of 100) each day it is late.
  • 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.
  • Make-up tests are given at the discretion of the professor. You have to meet with me to discuss the reason for missing the exam and to schedule a make-up. It may be decided that the missed test will serve as your dropped score (see the second grading scenario above).

Printing:

 Note that a student is allotted 400 sheets of paper per semester to be printed in the classroom labs, open labs and library. A student can pay more if he or she wishes to exceed this limit. Think about what you are printing and how you are printing it.

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.

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