Overview

In this course you'll learn how to work with relational databases: how they are created, queried, and structured, and some foundational theory behind their operation. Then you'll learn to develop server-side logic using a Python framework to develop and deploy web apps that generate webpages programmatically using the results of database queries.

Course Objectives. Students will have an understanding of:

• the basics of relational database theory
• how to use the Structured Query Language (SQL) and mySQL database administration
• how web applications are structured and how the various components communicate
• the basics of front-end development using HTML, CSS, and other web technologies
• how the Python framework Flask connects the front-end components with the database

Grading

Workload	Points
Homework Assignments (6 @ 5pts each)	30
Semi-Weekly Class Exercises (12 @ 2pts each)	24
Ethics Reading Paper	06
2 Exams (10 pts each)	20
Final Project and Demo	20

Texts

• No required textbook
• MySQL Tutorial (online)
• Learning PHP, MySQL & JavaScript (6th Edition) by Robin Nixon, O'Reilly Media, 2021 - library reserve

Course website:  https://scarl.sewanee.edu/CS284/

This syllabus, the course schedule, assignments, lecture notes and more are posted on the course website.
 

BrightSpace

Some course materials will be available on BrightSpace (Sewanee's Learning Management System), such as special readings, video examples and supplemental lecture materials, and selected solutions. Assignments will typically be turned in using BrightSpace.
 

Course Administration

This class uses a combination of lecture, active learning, and the occasional "flipped classroom" method of instruction. There will be an in-class exercise most weeks, as one of the best ways to learn is by trying out new concepts yourselves. Anything not completed by end of class will generally be due by the next class period.

 

In the "flipped classroom" model, I sometimes post videos covering lecture materials for a particular topic. It will then be your responsibility to watch the video before the next class meeting, as it will cover material for the class exercise that day. During class I will review and answer any questions on the new material.
 

Attendance for all class sessions, whether we are remote or in person, is an important factor in succeeding in this course. Students are allowed three unexcused absences per semester. Subsequent absences may be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students. The student is responsible for making up any work missed due to absence; exceptional circumstances will be given wide latitude.
 

Homework assignments are worth 30% of the semester grade. Late work is penalized 10% for each day late, but every student has 3 grace days for the semester, covering such things as schedule crunches, travel for athletics, and illnesses. Save these as long as possible. Barring exceptional circumstances, assignments will not be accepted more than 4 days after the due date. Students are expected to work independently on homework assignments unless group work is specifically indicated. Each assignment will specify how and when it is to be turned in.
 

Exams. There will be two semester exams during the year. Any student missing an exam must present a documented excuse explaining the absence, preferably in advance, if they are to make it up.

Final Project. Students will bring everything learned over the semester to do full-stack development of a non-trivial website. This project can be done individually or in groups of up to three colleagues. Project proposals must be accepted by the instructor before implementation; projects will be "real" in the sense that they use a non-trivial amount of data they, contain interesting and/or helpful information for users, and are pro bono publico - think charity, service, professional or little known areas. The idea is to pick a topic team members will enjoy learning more about, rather than an inventory of  personal interests / hobbies. Projects will be due by the class Final Exam period scheduled by the Registrar during the last week of the semester.
 

The Honor Code applies to all exams, programs, and assignments; you agreed to follow the Honor Code when you matriculated. Affixing your name to another's work is considered academic dishonesty and a violation of the Honor Code. Here, "another's work" includes Internet sources and responses from artificial intelligence processing programs (for example, ChatGPT). Students may discuss ideas for solving an assignment among themselves: concepts and design issues, how to use software tools, how to fix errors in programs. However, each assignment must be your own work unless collaboration is specifically allowed. Turning in any portion of work written by another is an Honor Code violation and grounds for disciplinary action as allowed by University policy. You should not copy a file, supply a copy of a file, coach another student in writing code line by line, or look at another student's code. A good rule of thumb: talking over a problem verbally is fine, fixing a problem with someone else's program is not.
 

Policies for Remote Learning

If you are unable to be on campus or attend class for an extended period of time, please let me know as soon as you can, and read Information for Students Studying Remotely.
 

Scheduling Office Hours

Students are welcome to drop by my office in Woods 133 with any questions during posted office hours. If you need an appointment for some other time, schedule a meetup using the Calendly app. See their video for a quick introduction. Calendly gives the option of meeting in person or over Zoom.
 

Participation and Extra Credit

Students can support the intellectual life of the university and earn extra credit by attending lectures/talks outside of the formal classroom experience and writing a summary of the ideas presented. For example, later this semester our department will sponsor the annual Ebey Lecture. Attend that or another lecture on campus, any "virtual lectures" on Zoom sponsored by the university, or find technical presentations at approved on-line sources, such as the Heidelberg Laureate series, the Strange Loop conference, and other computing-related meetings for researchers or software developers. In this case, choose lectures whose duration is 35-60 minutes.

You may attend or watch up to two such presentations and submit a 1-2 page summary for extra credit.

Statement on Health and Safety

Please follow these important health guidelines while in class:

• If you are feeling unwell, please do not attend class. Inform the instructor and seek care at the Wellness Center as soon as possible.
• Follow University and Wellness Center guidelines if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or other infectious respiratory illness.
• Let me know right away if you expect to miss more than 2 classes.
  

ADA Statement

The University of the South is committed to fostering respect for the diversity of the University community and the individual rights of each member of that community. In this spirit, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the University seeks to provide students with disabilities with the reasonable accommodations needed to ensure equal access to the programs and activities of the University.

Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as early in the semester as possible. If approved for accommodations, the student has the responsibility to present their instructors with a copy of the official letter of academic accommodations. Please note: Accommodation letters should be dated for the current term; accommodations will not be provided without a current accommodation letter; and accommodations cannot be applied retroactively.

SAS is located in the Office of the Dean of Students (931.598.1229). Additional information about accommodations can be found at https://new.sewanee.edu/campus-life/playing/wellness-commons/university-wellness-center/student-accessibility-services/.
 
Students who have questions about physical accessibility should inform their instructors so that we can ensure an accessible, safe, and effective environment.