Department of Computer Sciences
University of Texas at Austin

CS 327E - Elements of Databases (Spring 2012)
Section: 52885, MWF 100 - 200, RLM 6.104

Instructor: Dr. Shyamal Mitra
Office: PAI 3.14
Office Hours: MWF 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Teaching Assistant: Xu Wang
E-mail: wangxu@cs.utexas.edu
Office Hours: T 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, TH 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: PAI 5.33

Text:

  1. Modern Database Management (10th Edition) by Jeffrey Hoffer, V. Ramesh, and Heikki Topi (MDM)
    Publisher: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0-13-608839-2
  2. Oracle SQL by Example (4th Edition) by Alice Rischert (OSE)
    Publisher: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 013-714-2838

Scope of the Course

This is an upper division course in the Elements of Software series. I assume that you have had two semesters of programming at the level of CS 303E and CS 313E. This is a practical course on the development of database applications. We will learn SQL thoroughly. We will also study the design, implementation, and management of databases. We will cover conceptual modeling techniques using Entity - Relationship and UML diagrams. Other topics that we will cover will include security, transaction management, query processing, and data warehousing. Finally we will look at a content management system.

We will be following the two texts quite closely. The schedule gives the tentative sequence of topics that we will be covering and the reading for the week. Occasionally I will provide supplemental notes on topics not covered in the book. Unlike the traditional lecture format, our classes will be a venue for discussing the material, solving problems, writing programs, and exchanging ideas. Attendance to the lectures is mandatory. If you are not there for any lecture you need to send me an e-mail explaining why.

Assignments

We will be using the Oracle database in the Elements Lab. You will be given accounts on the Oracle database. You may remotely access your account using SQL Developer. You will also be given MySQL database accounts.

There will be both written and programming assignments. Doing the assignments is crucial to performing well in class. Assignments will be given almost every week. Each assignment will have a clearly stated due date and time. Assignments start out being easy but get harder over the semester. If you are having considerable difficulty with Assignments 2 and/or 3, please see the Instructor immediately.

The assignments will require a substantial time commitment over several days (an average of 8 hours per week should be expected). Be sure to budget sufficient time to complete assignments before the deadline.

Turn in your assignments on time. This permits grading to start promptly after the submission deadline so that assignments maybe returned promptly. If you do not finish an assignment by the deadline you have a maximum of two days to turn your assignment in. However, there is a penalty of 10 points (out of a 100 points) per day. Your assignment is one day late until the midnight of the day after it is due, two days late from then until midnight of the second day. We will accept your assignment after two days if there is a compelling reason. If you turn your assignment in late you must notify the TA that you have done so.

Grade Dispute: You have one week from the date the assignment grade is posted to dispute your grade. The proctors will be grading the assignments. Send the proctor for your section an e-mail and copy the TA in charge of the assignment and see if you can resolve your differences. If you cannot resolve your differences, you may send me an e-mail explaining the situation. We will not entertain any grade disputes after one week.

Quizzes

We will be having quizzes regularly throughout the semester. The quizzes will be held on Fridays. There are no make-up quizzes. You may miss one of the quizzes during the semester.

Tests

There will be three tests and no final examination. The three tests will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Test Schedule
Test Date Time Room
Test 1 Wed, 15 Feb 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM BUR 136
Makeup 1 Thurs, 16 Feb 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM WAG 201
Test 2 Wed, 28 Mar 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM UTC 4.110
Makeup 2 Thurs, 29 Mar 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM WAG 201
Test 3 Wed, 02 May 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM UTC 3.124
Makeup 3 Thurs, 03 May 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM WAG 201

Make-up tests will be given only for the following reasons. In all cases you must provide some form of documentation.

Having three tests on the same day is not official UT conflict! For each test you may bring a non-programmable calculator and a single 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of handwritten notes (no photo reduction).

Questions concerning test grades should be given to me in writing along with your test within the next class day that the test is handed back. We will not entertain any disputes after that time.

Grades

Your performance in this class will be evaluated using your scores for class participation, quizzes, assignments, a small project, and the three tests. The weights of each of these components are listed below: If you have more than 6 absences during the semester you will forfeit all the points alloted to class participation, i.e. 5% of your final grade.

There are no extra credit projects to improve your grade. Questions concerning test grades should be given to me in writing along with your test within the next class day that the test is handed back. Questions regarding the programming assignments should be first discussed with the TA. If you still have a problem give me a written statement within one week of the class that the assignment was returned. No questions about grading will be considered after these deadlines.

Study Groups

Please organize yourselves into study groups of ~5 students who will meet once a week to discuss the course. Typically, you will review the lectures, do the reading, and attempt the homework independently before your weekly meeting with your study group. Studying for tests together is permitted and encouraged. If you are unsure about how to work together with your friend in a legal, helpful manner, do come and talk with us. Remember, it is always ok to "work together" with your professor or TA!

Academic Misconduct Policy

While you are free to discuss the course material with your classmates and are encouraged to form study groups for the exams, collaboration on homework or programming assignments is not permitted unless you have notified us that you will be doing pair programming with a partner.

Helping a friend understand the intent of a homework or programming assignment specification is permitted. Students who are not pair programmers and who work together too closely (e.g. design their solution together) should be aware that this is a form of cheating called COLLUSION and is subject to academic penalties. Penalties for academic misconduct include a failing grade in this course.

The homework, programs, and exams must be the work of students turning them in. University policy (see Dean of Students' policies on academic integrity) will be followed strictly.

Acts that exceed the bounds defined by the approved collaboration practices will be considered cheating. Such acts include:

We urge everyone in the class to take appropriate measures for protecting one's work. You should protect your files, homework solution sheets, etc. as deemed reasonable.

Your Responsibilities in This Class

University Time Table

General Policies

If you are absent from class or examination for the observance of a religious holy day you may turn in in your assignment or take the examination on an alternate date provided you have given me written notice fourteen days prior to the class absence. For religious holy days that fall within the first two weeks of class notice must be given on the first class day.

Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office (471-6259 or 471-4641 TTY).