A study of designing and using a database management system (DBMS) and of developing Web applications. Topics include HTML, CSS, the JavaScript language, relational database theory, techniques for supporting ACID properties, and frontiers in database research. As part of a large team, students design and develop a system using both Web and mobile front ends that interacts with a DBMS using SQL.
Prerequisites: CSCI 151.
Upon completing this course, our goal is for you to be able to:
- model and capture database design, queries, and entity relationships in SQL
- design and construct a well-designed mobile-friendly Web application, incorporating HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript (with jQuery)
- use version control software
- style a blogging framework and publish entries
- utilize a web framework to access a backend database
- describe the basic theory and algorithms underlying implementation of database management systems
When we write code together in class, it will be posted here!
Coursework
[Adapted from Spencer Bagley and David Clark, via Robert
Talbert]
CSCI 340 uses a real-world policy on due dates—but this may not
mean what you think! In the real real world, due dates exist but
they are often not ironclad. Assignments have due dates to help you
make progress in the course and solidify your knowledge before moving on
to something new. Your life and schedule may not perfectly coincide
with the due dates I have chosen. If you need more time to
get the job done well, you email whoever set the deadline to ask if
you can have more time. Studies have shown that deadline extension
requests—in moderation and when truly needed—often lead to
better employee evaluations (not to mention better work). [See Go
Ahead and Ask for More Time on that
Deadline
by Ashley Williams.]
If you need an extension on a due date, email me and explain what
you need, and it will probably be fine. It helps if you propose a
concrete new deadline (e.g. “I can get it done by 5pm on
Wednesday”). If you ask for lots of extensions, we’ll work together
to find a way to help you keep up. Note, however, that late
submissions may not receive feedback as quickly as on-time
submissions.
If you have significant extenuating circumstances that cause you to
miss multiple deadlines, please come to office
hours to discuss broader accommodations. I’m
happy to be flexible, but it helps to know what you need so I can
figure out the best way to help.
Important: You must be in communication with me anytime an assignment is late.
If you would like to improve an assignment after it has been graded and improve your grade, you may revise and resubmit the assignment until you do. This must be within two weeks of receiving feedback. If you need more than two weeks, you must schedule a meeting with me to discuss your reasons for the delay.
However, the above only applies if you made a reasonable attempt at the assignment the first time. You cannot turn in a half-finished assignment before the deadline and then “revise” it by completing the rest. If your assignment is only half-finished, you must request use late days as described above.
Important: All work and revisions must be completed the day of the final exam period for this course at 5pm.
Your initial experience with databases in this course will be through weekly labs.
Web Systems
Databases
You will be graded not only on correctness, but also technique, documentation and evaluation of your solution. Further details on the grading standards and handin instructions for each lab will be given when they are assigned.
Warning: You must work individually on the labs. You may discuss concepts and ideas with your classmates, but the code you turn in must be your own.
For the bulk of this semester, you will be participating in teams of three or four to develop a database and web application in coordination with a local non-profit organization.
Three times throughout the semester, you are expected to
make an office hours appointment and discuss your progress in the course. This will include conversation and feedback about your current progress and understanding.
Ideally, these checkins should be scheduled during the weeks shown
on the course calendar.
Attending class and being an active participant in the class community
is one of the most important contributors to your learning at Hendrix.
Attendance is especially important in this class since you will often engage in group learning activities. Active participation is expected in order to achieve higher grade levels in the course.
If you know that you will be absent, please email me so that we can find accomodations. If there is an emergency, please get in touch with me as soon as is possible once the emergency is resolved. I trust you to be honest with me about your reasons for the absence (I do not need details), and honest with yourself about if you truly need to be absent.
A Level Work
- Complete 5 Web Systems Labs
- Complete 5 Databases Labs
- Complete Final Project with 40+ hrs recorded
- Complete 3 Checkins
- Abundant Participation in Classroom Activities
B Level Work
- Complete 4 Web Systems Labs + 1 Partially Complete
- Complete 4 Databases Labs + 1 Partially Complete
- Complete Final Project with 30+ hrs recorded
- Complete 2 Checkins
- Active Participation in Classroom Activities
C Level Work
- Complete 3 Web Systems Labs + 1 Partially Complete
- Complete 3 Databases Labs + 1 Partially Complete
- Partially Complete Final Project with 30+ hrs recorded
- Complete 1 Checkin
- Participation in Classroom Activities
D Level Work
- Complete 3 Web Systems Labs
- Complete 3 Databases Labs
- Partially Complete Final Project
- Complete 1 Checkin
Commitments
It is my ultimate goal for this course, and my teaching, to
develop your academic skills, advance your learning
of computer science concepts, and support the liberal arts in general. To do so
will require commitments from myself and from you toward meeting this goal.
Active Participation
I will be prepared and on time for class each day, ready to use class time
to help you understand the course material. I will respectfully listen to,
understand, and answer questions asked in class.
You are expected to attend class and actively participate in discussions every day,
answering questions, asking questions, presenting material, etc. Your
participation will be respectful of your classmates, both of their
opinions and of their current point in their educational journey, as we
each approach the material with different backgrounds and contexts.
Constructive Feedback
I will keep office hours and be available for outside appointments, and respond
to emails within one business day (not including weekends).
I will provide feedback on group presentations within one day. For exams, projects,
and homeworks, I will provide graded feedback within two weeks.
You are encouraged to provide constructive comments for improving this
course for furthering your learning throughout the semester.
There will be an opportunity for
anonymous course feedback
at the end of the term, in which I hope you all participate. Through your
feedback I can improve this course and others for future students.
Academic Integrity
I will abide by the above syllabus and grade your work fairly.
As stated in the Hendrix Academic
Integrity Policy, all students have agreed to adhere to the following principles:
- All students have an equal right to their opinions and to receive constructive criticism.
- Students should positively engage the course material and encourage their classmates to do the same.
- No students should gain an unfair advantage or violate their peers' commitment to honest work and genuine effort. It follows that any work that a student submits for class will be that student's own work. The amount of cooperation undertaken with other students, the consistency and accuracy of work, and the test-taking procedure should adhere to those guidelines that the instructor provides.
- Members of the Hendrix community value and uphold academic integrity because we recognize that scholarly pursuits are aimed at increasing the shared body of knowledge and that the full disclosure of sources is the most effective way to ensure accountability to both ourselves and our colleagues.
More details of our departmental stance on integrity can be found in the
Hendrix
Computer Science Academic Integrity Policy
Learning Accomodation
I will make this classroom an open and inclusive environment,
accommodating many different learning styles and perspectives.
Any student
seeking accommodation in relation to a recognized disability should inform me
at the beginning of the course.
It is the policy of Hendrix College to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant
to federal and state law. Students should contact Julie Brown in the
Office of Academic
Success (505.2954; brownj@hendrix.edu) to begin the accommodation process.
Physical and Mental Health
I am willing to work with you individually when life goes off the rails.
Coursework and college in general can become stressful and overwhelming, and
your wellness can be impacted when you least expect it. You should
participate in self-care and preventative measures, and be willing to
find support when you need it.
- The Office of Counseling Services
welcomes all students to see a counselor
in a private and safe environment regardless of their reasons for making an
appointment. Counseling services are available to all Hendrix students
at no cost.
- Student Health Services
provides free healthcare to Hendrix students. Services are provided by an
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in collaboration with a local physician.
Hendrix Student Health Services is now located in Conway Regional's Hendrix Medical
Clinic at 1700 Altus in The Village at Hendrix
The Offices of Counseling Services and Student Health Services are located in the white house
behind the Mills Center for Social Sciences at
1541 Washington Avenue.