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Course Guidelines

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Course Goals                 Exams          Homework          Working in Groups          Laboratories          Class Attendance            Your Password             
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Summary of Course Goals:

This is an introductory course in database and file management systems.  It will help students to develop an understanding of the role of data, file management and database systems in information systems.  At the completion of this course, you should:

•       Develop an appreciation of the role of data, files and databases in information systems.

•       Understand the database development activities during the System Development Cycle

•       Be familiar with the data modeling concepts (E-R and Class diagrams) used in database design.

•       Be able to create databases and pose complex SQL queries of relational databases.

•       Develop appreciation of several DBMS’s (ACESS and ORACLE)

•       Be familiar with a broad range of data management issues including data integrity and security.

•       Utilize a CASE tool for data modeling and schema creation

Exams:

Exams will be in class and in the lab.  They may use application/problem solving questions, short answer and/or a  combination of multiple choice.  You will be notified whether the exam will be open book and open notes.  The content for exams is cumulative, i.e. all material covered up to the day of exam may be included.  Exams will generally be based on material covered in class, but not necessarily restricted to it.  There will be no make up exams.  Exam content is cumulative, i.e. they address the material covered up to the day of the exam.

If you miss a midterm (there will be two) for an emergency [as agreed ahead of time with the instructor], there will be no makeup exam: the other exams will become proportionally more important.  If you miss any exam without prior agreement, and without definitive proof as to the reasons, you will get a zero.

The final exam is mandatory on the scheduled day.

Exams will be designed to test your understanding of the C++ language, the design and programming methods and processes used in class, and other relevant material about computers including operating systems, electronic mail, the use of the World Wide Web, editors, compilers, loaders, etc.

NOTE: Poor performance (generally, failure to receive a solid D average) on either the exams or the homework will result in a grade of D or worse.  All continuing majors receiving such a grade will have to retake the course before taking any other courses in the CS major.  

Quizzes will be given on an as needed basis to reinforce material covered over a short period of time. All quizzes will be announced and will be graded by the instructor.  Quiz grades will be credited toward your final Exam grade.

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Homework:

Relatively short homework assignments (as distinguished from Labs) will be given as needed during the semester. Each homework must be completed on time and sent by e-mail to the Teaching Assistant (TA) or me [to be decided]. The homework will be graded and commented upon by the TA [or me] as soon as possible.  Homework will be graded separately from Labs and credited toward your total exam and quiz grade.  Late home work will not be accepted except in the case of documented emergencies.  

Generally, you will not receive letter or numeric grades for your homework -- just a check, check +, or check - (or a zero).  It is up to you to ensure your homework effort serves its purpose -- for you to learn the material.

I encourage all students to discuss assignments with me, the lab assistants, and with other students in the class.  HOWEVER, unless you have a group assignment, you are expected to work and complete all the homework on your own. Plagiarism will be handled with severe measures. 

All assignments should be carefully documented (commented).  Your name, section, the date, and the title of your assignment (and your instructor's name) should appear at the top of each program as part of the documentation.

Working in Groups: 

Your lab and homework assignments are intended to help YOU learn about the art and science of computer programming.  I tend to give a lot of homework and lab assignments and a good bit of reading.  For most students in the class, doing the reading and  assignments is the only way you will master the concepts and ideas discussed; it is most surely the only way you will learn about databases.  Occasionally, I may give a group assignment.  If and when I do, I will tell you.  Otherwise, you are responsible for your own assignments.  

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Laboratories:            

Laboratories are lead by the Teaching Assistant.  Attendance for the full period of each laboratory is MANDATORY.  In the laboratory you will be assisted as needed with the solutions of sub-problems required for the larger homework assignments you have been given.  Labs are graded numerically by the grader.  Normally the labs for week i will be graded during the lab for week i+1.

Class Attendance:  
Attendance is expected, and may be recorded from time to time.  Absences for legitimate professional activities and illnesses are acceptable only if prior notice is given to the instructor by e-mail or phone.  Scheduling conflicts with your work, extra-curricular activities, or any other such activities is not a valid excuse.  Also, review Temple University attendance policy at http://www.temple.edu/ugbulletin97/policies_part1.html#attendance.  Although attendance is not a specific part of the course evaluation it has a direct effect on class participation.  If you are not in class you cannot participate. 

Attendance and class participation will be taken into account in final grading, namely, the 'Others' portion of the grade . Class participation means that you attend class regularly and have completed your assigned readings.  It means that you ask relevant questions and make informed comments in class. 

Please --

1.   Come to class on time (within 5 minutes please) or eventually you may find that you are not welcome at all.

2.   Be prepared -- you will be helped considerably if you do the reading and the homework on time.  If you can stay a bit ahead in the reading you will be even better off.

3.   Ask questions in class -- even during exams.  I can’t tell what is being learned and what is causing trouble if you don’t ask questions.

4.   If you miss class, please obtain notes and missed assignments from your fellow classmates.  If there is anything that you do not understand, I will be happy to help you, but you have to make the first effort to make up the work.  I EXPECT EACH STUDENT TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO MAKE UP WHATEVER IS MISSED IN CLASS.  All assignments must be turned in on time.  

5.      Once class has begun, unless you have an emergency, please remain seated unless asked to come to the board.  It is very distracting to have students walking in and out of class in the middle of a class.  It is also RUDE.

6.      All assignments must be turned in on time. 

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Your Password:

Your password is your unique "key" to your computing resources.  It is your key and is not to be shared with anyone else regardless of who it is or the reasons you might think you have.  Misuse of your password may result in the removal of your computing access privileges and in University Disciplinary action.  Please treat this password as your own personal property -- that's exactly what it is!

Withdrawal Policy:

You may withdraw from this course (with a grade of "W passing") at any time prior to the "magic date" specified by the University (now about five weeks before the end of classes).  It is up to you to find out when this date is for a given semester.  I will generally try to give, grade, and return the SECOND EXAM in time for you to make a decision about what to do if you are not happy with your progress in the course.  Students who simply "drop out" of class without formally withdrawing will receive a grade of F.

All assignments should be carefully documented (commented).  Your name, section, the date, and the title of your assignment (and your instructor's name) should appear at the top of each program as part of the documentation.

Personal Issues:

Faculty (including me), advisors, and the staff in the Office of the Dean of Students are here to help you.  If, during the course of the semester, you have personal issues that are making it difficult for you to meet your course obligations, it is important that you communicate with these folks and that you do so in a timely manner.  Attempting to recover from such difficulties after the fact will be far more difficult.  Please see me, your advisors, or someone in the Office of the Dean of Students immediately if events occur or issues arise that interfere with your coursework.  If you do not communicate with us, it is very difficult for us to help you.

Disability Disclosure:
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Student must provide me with a note from the office of Disability Resources and Services at in 100 Ritter Annex, 215-204-1280, regarding their disability. 

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 A Final Note::

In signing up for this course, you have signed a contract to do the work that is required and to fully participate in course activities, including standard homework, all labs, group/cooperative projects, quizzes, and exams.  I expect you to live up to your end of the bargain.  You will be graded according to how well you satisfy course requirements.  If you have any questions, please see me. This is hard work, but it also can be a lot of fun.  And, who knows, perhaps you will soon take another computer course.  Thanks.

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CERTIFICATION (Please sign below and return to Dr. Friedman in the next class):

I hereby certify that I have read and I understand all materials included in the CIS 109 Course Guidelines Document.

_________________________     _________________________     __________

    (print your name)              (your signature)           (date)

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Last Updated
Friday, February 13, 2004