CSCI 39500 DATABASE DESIGN HUNTER COLLEGE CUNY SYLLABUS GRADESCOPE
Description This course in practical database design covers essential skills needed to conceptualize, model, and implement robust and effective database systems that meet the real-world business scenarios. You will learn to visually represent data organization, model entity-relationships, normalize schemas, minimize redundancy, and ensure data integrity. With hands-on projects on organizing data (creating tables, defining constraints) and manipulating data (querying, updating). Informed by real world scenarios, this course will teach you to analyze business requirements and to crystalize them into optimum database schemas.
Prerequisites CSCI 22700 or CSCI 23500
Learning Outcomes
1 Be able to design and implement a relational database schema design of realistic complexity normalized to 3NF.
2 Be able to implement the database in a RDBMS.
3 Be able to manipulate a relational database using a query language.
4 Be able to integrate a relational database into a software application, including one with a three-tier server architecture.
Lecture and Lab Genady Maryash gmaryash@hunter.cuny.edu Monday, Wednesday 8:30am-9:45am Zoom
Textbooks Clare Churcher “Beginning Database Design” 2nd ed. (2012) Edition, and
Clare Churcher “Beginning SQL Queries” 2nd ed. (2016) — either books or PDFs.
Additional requireded readings and tutorials will be provided on the MAIN COURSE WEBPAGE.
PYTHON REFRESHER (if needed): huntercsci127.github.io/f25.html
Required Supplies You will write and draw all homeworks, tests, and exams with pen on paper in the exact maner that I specify. You will photo-scan and submit all to gradescope for semi-automated grading. Maximum consistency being essential, you MUST buy this PARTICULAR GRID PAPER and these 0.7mm BLACK Pilot FriXion pens - both very inexpensive! I will not allow any other paper or pens/pencils. You MUST also use this particular free scanner app: 🍏 / 🤖
Expectations Completing homework is an essential part of the learning experience. Students are expected to learn both the material covered in class and the material in the online Labs, the textbook and other assigned reading.
Technology This course uses multiple software tools and languages:
Python a programming language that is freely available across multiple platforms.
SQLite a free database.
BrightSpace the learning management system used throughout CUNY. Accounts are provided automatically to all enrolled students.
Gradescope All assignments will be submitted to Gradescope. Weekly tets, exams and homeworks will be on paper submited as images, graded, and returned via Gradescope. An email with access information will be sent to your email of record on Blackboard two days before the semester starts.
Github a freely available site for hosting and collaborating, particularly for programming.
Final Grade
Home Work Assignments: 20% (you may be called to explain any homework assignment solution in detail)
Lab Tests: 40%
Final Exam: 20%
Project: 20%
You will write/draw all homeworks, tests, and exams with pen on paper in the exact manner that I demand; quality of presentation of your work is a large part of the grade for any assignment.
Expectations Attendance of every lecture and every lab is mandatory. Completing homework is an essential part of the learning experience. You are expected to learn both the material covered in class and the material in the labs, the textbook and other assigned reading.
Course Format
This course will be taught synchronousely on line. Each week the course meets
1.5 hours of lecture
1.5 hours of supervized lab
Lecture Participation Active participation in the lecture is an integral part of the learning experience.
Weekly Tests Every week, there will be a test on the lecture notes, reading, labs, and assignments.
As the semester progresses, tests will include review questions as well as short exercises based on the homework. Tests are on paper (echoing the style of the final exam and the first pass of many programming job interviews.
For the tests, you may not use any notes, books, or any computer device (laptop, phone, calculator, smart watch, etc.
There are no make-up tets.
Weekly Lab Each week, you are expected to work through the associated Lab, which will involve a graded test and a code review.
Reviews of Lab Assignments Every week there will be an in-person review of your work on labs assignments.
There are no make-up reviews.
Homework Programming exercises reinforce concepts covered in lecture and lab. Note that as the semester progresses, the programs will require work on design and programming outside of class to complete. You should plan to spend at least 3 hours per week on design and programming exercises. To receive full credit for a program, the program must perform correctly, must include comments, be written in good style and precisely follow all style and naming conventions imposed by the instructor – and be submitted by due date.
Final Project A 20 point comprehensive final project will demonstrate your mastery of and proficiency in all topics and materials covered in the course. It will be framed as a three-tier relational database solution running on a server with a web front end, which will fully implement business logic of a hypothetical company or product.
Computer Access University computer laboratories are available for this course in 1001B HN. These machines are for all students enrolled in computer science at Hunter College. Given the limited number (26 machines), work on those computers must be related to this course only and a code of conduct applies to computer use in the department and on-campus. Misusing university computers could result in losing your computer access for the rest of the term.
Honor Code You are encouraged to work together on the overall design of the programs and homework. However, for specific programs and homework assignments, all work must be your own. You are responsible for knowing and following Hunter College’s Academic Integrity Policy: Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.
All incidents of cheating will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct in the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students office.
Policy on Bullying Bullying, cyberbullying, online hate, intimidation, threats, harassment, and pressure to share schoolwork are all forms of violence. CUNY holds a zero tolerance stance towards all such acts. The University is committed to prevention of any form of bullying, will respond promptly to threats and/or acts, and will protect victims of bullying from retaliation. As a criminal matter, the New York Attorney General defines cyberbullying as the use of email, websites, instant messaging, chat rooms, text messaging and digital cameras to antagonize and intimidate others. Disrupting a teleconferencing platform (such as Zoom/Skype/Blackboard Collaborate Ultra) is a federal crime.
ADA Statement In compliance with the ADA and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational access and accommodations for all its registered students. Hunter College’s students with disabilities and medical conditions are encouraged to register with the Office of AccessABILITY for assistance and accommodation. For information and appointment contact the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room E1214 or call (212) 772-4857 /or VRS (646) 755-3129.
Hunter College Policy on Sexual Misconduct: In compliance with the CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Hunter College reaffirms the prohibition of any sexual misconduct, which includes sexual violence, sexual harassment, and gender-based harassment retaliation against students, employees, or visitors, as well as certain intimate relationships. Students who have experienced any form of sexual violence on or off campus (including CUNY-sponsored trips and events) are entitled to the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights for Hunter College.
Sexual Violence Students are strongly encouraged to immediately report the incident by calling 911, contacting NYPD Special Victims Division Hotline (646-610-7272) or their local police precinct, or contacting the College’s Public Safety Office (212-772-4444).
All Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct: Students are also encouraged to contact the College’s Title IX Campus Coordinator, Dean John Rose (jtrose@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-650-3262) or Colleen Barry (colleen.barry@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-772-4534) and seek complimentary services through the Counseling and Wellness Services Office, Hunter East 1123.
See CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct Link.