Syllabus for SSE 691

Database Design in Software Engineering

Changes are possible.

Database connectivity from C#, C++, or Java is _not_ covered in this course. There are resources available on the Web.

A database accessed from an application is preferred, but not required.

The use of simple SQL commands is covered in an inexpensive book recommended in the "Other Useful Resources" section, below.

Summer Semester 2012 (12U)

Instructor: Dr. Paul E. MacNeil

Office:       Suite 223a, School of Engineering

Phone:       478-301-2185

                  478-301-2732

Email:        macneil_pe@mercer.edu

Textbooks and Supplies:

Texts (including web sites):

• Database Design for Mere Mortals (2nd ed.) , by Michael J. Hernandez, Addison-Wesley Professional ISBN 0201752840 (Required)
  
• For Summer 2014 the above text will be replaced by Database Design for Mere Mortals (3rd ed.) , by Michael J. Hernandez, Addison-Wesley Professional ISBN 978-0321884497 (2013)) (Required)
  

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Software (including web sites):

• MariaDB (or alternative - see Catalog Description), downloadable from https://mariadb.org/ (Required)
• Note that this course is intended to be OS neutral.
• An Internet ftp client of your choice.  Core FTP LE is free and works well http://www.coreftp.com/ .  (Required, but your choice)

Other Useful Resources (including web sites):

• Visual Quickstart Guide MySQL (2nd ed.) , by Larry Ullman, Peachpit Press ISBN 0321375734
  
• "Evolutionary Database Design" by Martin Fowler, http://www.martinfowler.com/articles/evodb.html
• MySQL Connector C++

Catalog Description (Course Purpose):

Special Topics.

Relational databases, database design, data normalization, interfacing a database with a general-purpose programming language such as Java, C#, or C++, and agile approaches to database development.

The default database for this course is MariaDB (free version); the default general purpose programming language for this course is your choice of Java, C#, or C++. Individual students may propose that s/he use an alternative database (such as Oracle or PostgreSQL).

This course begins on May 21, 2012.

Course Objectives:

Breadth and Depth in Defining, Analyzing, and Solving Complex Problems:

• After successfully completing this course, you should be able to demonstrate a basic capability to design databases for use in software engineering to solve complex problems.

Communicate Technical Aspects of the Solution for Complex Software Engineering Problems to a Technical Audience:

• After successfully completing this course, you should be able to demonstrate a basic ability to communicate regarding the use of databases in software engineering to a technical audience.

Prerequisites:

SSE 550 Object-Oriented Development I or permission of the SSE graduate chair.

Class Location:

• The Distance Learning _asynchronous_ "meetings" take place in Cyberspace; i.e., on the Internet, via listserv and ftp.

Grading:

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Assignments:

• Purpose of projects:
  • Use the projects to develop your capabilities, and
  • Use the projects to demonstrate your capabilities.
• Deliverables for all projects:
  • Your report should be a single, standalone document in .pdf, .doc, or .html format.
  • Your report should be organized in such a way as to make the topics that you want credit for covering easy to find, and demonstrate your capabilities clearly and convincingly. Everything you want considered for credit, including code and tests if any, should be included in the report.
  • Screen shots may be included in your document to clarify and demonstrate what you did and what the results were.
  • Each project can be a single, integrated project that tries to actually do something, or a collection of exercises that demonstrate your capabilities but don't accomplish anything else, or any combination of these two alternatives that you find convenient.
  • You may include other material outside of the report, if you wish, but this material may or may not be considered in evaluating your work.
• Learn First Normal Form before you concern yourself with Second Normal Form, and likewise with Second Normal Form and Third Normal Form.
  
• Project 1 (Solo):
  • Skim the text and your selected software resources (e.g., your database, your programming language and development environment, and the software you will use to connect your database to your application, if you choose to develop an application). Plan your work for the rest of this course; read the requirements for Projects 2 and 3 so that you can plan accordingly. You may submit this project early, so that you can get approval for your plan, and a head start on Projects 2 and 3.
• Project 2 Solo or Team, your choice):
  • Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in the subjects covered in Chapters 1 - 10 of the textbook by Hernandez as defined in your approved plan submitted for Project 1. Due three weeks after the beginning of the course.
    • If you do this project as a team project, each team member must separately, independently, and privately communicate to the professor his/her estimate of the percentage of the work done by each team member.
• Project 3 (Solo or Team, your choice):
  • Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in the subjects covered in Chapters 11 - 15 of the textbook by Hernandez as defined in your approved plan submitted for Project 1. Your database should be in third normal form for Project 3, and should not be denormalized. Due at the end of the course. This project may build on Project 2 if you so choose.
    • If you do this project as a team project, each team member must separately, independently, and privately communicate to the professor his/her estimate of the percentage of the work done by each team member.

Additional Information:

• Asynchronous Learning Nets (ALNs)
  • Self Study: You study the texts and any other course study material on your own.
  • Collaborative Projects: After your self-study, you collaborate (via the Internet [email, ftp]) with your partner(s) to produce a team product. Your collaborative work is substantial, asynchronous, and rapid.

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• What Do I Do?

• Subscribe to the course email listserv and be able to access our FTP server; your professor can tell you how to do this.
• Study the assigned material.
• Write and read email messages about ideas, problems and solutions to do with the assigned study material.
• Do the assigned exercises/projects.
• Write and read email messages (to/from the listserv) about ideas, problems and solutions to do with the assigned homework.
• Review the exercises/projects done by other people, as assigned by the professor.

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Changes to this Syllabus:

There will be changes to this syllabus, so check back frequently, and don't forget to hit "Reload" or "Refresh".

Schedule of Events and Assignments:

Notes:

tbd

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Contact Information

• My Name: Dr. Paul E. MacNeil
  
• My E-mail: macneil_pe@mercer.edu .
• My Office Phone: 478 301-2185
• My FAX: 478 301-2732
• US Mail:
   
  • Dr. Paul E. MacNeil
  • School of Engineering
  • Mercer University
  • 1400 Coleman Ave.
  • Macon, GA 31207

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Important Additional Information:
Students requiring accommodations for a disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible.  If you are not registered with Disability Services, the instructor will refer you to the Disability Support Services office for consultation regarding documentation of your disability and eligibility for accommodations under the ADA/504.  In order to receive accommodations, eligible students must provide each instructor with a “Faculty Accommodation Form” from Disability Services.  Students must return the completed and signed form to the Disability Services Coordinator on the 3rd floor of the Connell Student Center.  Students with a documented disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are also strongly encouraged to register with Disability Services and complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester.  For further information, please contact Carole Burrowbridge, Disability Services Coordinator, at 301-2778 or visit the web site at http://www.mercer.edu/stu_support/swd.htm

Accreditation: Mercer University is accredited by SACS.