CIS 761. Database Management Systems, Spring 2010
Basics
- Classes are MWF, 2:30-3:20pm, in N127.
- The Captain's log
gives up-to-date information about
what has been covered so far and what is expected to happen
in the near future.
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K-State Online is used
to report grades, and to upload material relevant for the course
(slides, assignments, model solutions, etc.)
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The mailing list
cis761-l@listserv.ksu.edu is
for questions and issues of general interest
(note that you cannot mail attachments).
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Email: tamtoft hat ksu dot edu
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Office: 219C Nichols
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Office Hours: 1-2pm, Mon & Wed, and by appointment
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Phone: 532-7917
TA: Raj Tirumalae
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Email: rajptr hat ksu dot edu
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Office: N19-R
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Office hours: Monday 12:30-2:30pm, and by appointment.
Required Textbook
Database Systems:
The Complete Book, Hector Garcia-Molina &
Jeffrey D. Ullman & Jennifer Widom,
Prentice Hall, 2nd edition.
Prerequisites
In principle, you should have taken CIS 560, but it is enough that
you have a bit of familiarity with databases, in particular know basic SQL.
Also, you should have a bit of mathematical background,
in particular be familiar with reasoning about sets.
Expected Outcome
At the conclusion of the course, students should have a good understanding of
many advanced concepts necessary for designing, using, and implementing
database systems.
Topics
A core part of the course will be Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6.
Tentatively, we will also cover selected parts of
Chapters 4, 7&8, 11&12, 13&14, 15&16, 17&18&19, 22.
Grading
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Homework: 25 %
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Exam 1, February 24: 20 %
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Exam 2, April 7: 20 %
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Final Exam, May 10: 35 %
In addition, you can earn up to 10 percent of extra credit for
constructive and interesting comments and questions,
as subjectively judged by me.
You should expect that it requires
80 % to earn an A,
60 % to earn a B, 40 % to earn a C, and 20 % to earn a D.
In general, my approach to grading is expressed well by
this
piece by S.A. Miller.
Homeworks
are due frequently. There are two kinds of homework exercises:
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Most will be proposed through the
Gradiance system.
To use that system, you need to get an account which
may have come with your textbook, otherwise you can purchase it
online for $34.
You then sign in to CIS761 using the code provided.
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Some are to be handed in on paper,
either to me in class,
or to the homework tray in the CIS office, Nichols 234 (please make
sure to include your name, my name, the course number,
and that they stamp it with not only the date but also
the time of day).
Assignments that are late
will not be graded,
unless in case of documented medical or family emergencies.
Exams
will be open book but you cannot bring any other material.
The final is comprehensive,
but with emphasis on the last part of the course.
Grievances
If you think that the instructor or the TA has made an oversight
when grading your test or your homework, you are of course
very welcome to ask for clarification. But complaints about
judgment calls, like how much credit to give for a partially
correct solution, are not encouraged---it is like
arguing balls and strikes. In particular this holds
for homeworks (since each assignment carries so little weight
towards the final grade).
Academic Honesty
Kansas State University has an Honor System based on personal
integrity, which is presumed to be sufficient assurance that, in
academic matters, one's work is performed honestly and without
unauthorized assistance. Undergraduate and graduate students, by
registration, acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Honor System. The
policies and procedures of the Honor System apply to all full and
part-time students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses
on-campus, off-campus, and via distance learning. The honor system
website can be reached via the following URL:
www.ksu.edu/honor . A
component vital to the Honor System is the inclusion of the Honor
Pledge which applies to all assignments, examinations, or other course
work undertaken by students. The Honor Pledge is implied, whether or
not it is stated: "On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor
received unauthorized aid on this academic work". A grade of XF can
result from a breach of academic honesty. The F indicates failure in
the course; the X indicates the reason is an Honor Pledge violation.
You are very welcome to discuss the course material, as well as
specific questions, with your fellow students. However, all submitted
answers must be your own work: you are not allowed to show your
answers to anyone else, or look at the answers of any other student;
neither are you allowed to consult previous model solutions that
may be around, or solicit the Internet for solutions to
specific homework problems.
If you are in doubt about what is permissible, please ask me.
Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Any student with a disability who needs an accommodation or other
assistance in this course should make an appointment to speak with me
as soon as possible.
Expectations for Classroom Conduct
All student activities in the University, including this course, are
governed by the Student Judicial Conduct Code as outlined in the
Student Governing Association By Laws, Article VI, Section 3, number
2. Students who engage in behavior that disrupts the learning
environment may be asked to leave the class.
Copyright 2010 (Torben Amtoft) as to this syllabus and all lectures. During this course students are prohibited from selling notes to or being paid for taking notes by any person or commercial firm without the express written permission of the professor teaching this course.
Torben Amtoft