Spring 2002

Resources

I will not be scheduling specific office hours this semester. You are welcome to come by my office at any time that I am not in class or otherwise busy. The times that I am generally NOT available are listed below.

If you want to make sure that I will be available when you come, you should make an appointment through email or talking to me in person.

Catalog Description

Course Goals and Objectives

After completing this course, the successful student will:

1. have an understanding of the theoretical basis of the relational database model
2. be able to model a database design at the conceptual level using E-R diagrams and normalization techniques
3. have an understanding of the data structures and algorithms used in database systems, including index structures, join algorithms, and query optimization techniques
4. be able to describe the differences between different types of database systems and evaluate the appropriateness of a particular system for a given application
5. understand and be able to use the concept of transactions in concurrent database access
6. understand issues of recoverability in database systems

Grading

Exam (20%)

There will be a final exam for the course, which will assess your knowledge of the topics that have been covered. This exam will be a written examination, and will take place during the regularly scheduled final exam time, which is Tuesday, April 30 at 8:00 AM

Homework (50%)

Approximately 5 homework assignments will be assigned. Homework assignments will generally be written questions requiring the student to apply the concepts covered in classroom sessions.

Papers (30%)

Two research papers will be assigned. These papers will examine a topic outside the material that is covered in class, and will require the student to gather and analyze data from a number of sources. Students will peer-review other students' papers to gain experience critiquing a technical paper.

Comments

Half semester classes move extremely quickly. In order to maximize your learning, it is necessary that we do a a good amount of work, and that you keep up with the work. I will do my best to provide you with the opportunities to learn and the resources you need, but it is up to you to take advantage of those opportunities.

Course Policies

All students are expected to follow the policies outlined in the Hope College Catalog.

Assignment Due Dates

Written homework assignments should be turned in at the beginning of the class period they are due. No late assignments will be accepted. This policy exists for fairness to all students in the class. In general, granting an extension on an assignment usually leads to the student in question doing poorly on the next assignment. Exceptional circumstances, such as a prolonged illness or a death in the family will be considered, but MUST be discussed with me before the due date of the assignment. Having lots of work to do in other classes does not count as an exceptional circumstance, since this is true for everyone in the course at one time or another.

Homework assignments must be written legibly. If I cannot read an answer, you will get 0 credit, regardless of whether the answer is correct or not. You should always turn in the work that you have done on an assignment, even if it is not perfect.

Resources

• Database Principles, Programming and Performance by Patrick O'Neill and Elizabeth O'Neill: This is the textbook for the course. It is available at the Hope-Geneva Bookstore, and is a required text for the course.
• Papers
• Reading Assignments
• Homework Assignments
• In class Exercises