Syllabus
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📘 Course Overview
This course introduces fundamental concepts of database management systems through hands-on practice. Students will also gain practical experience in SQL, database design, and database internals.
📋 Grading Scheme
This course utilizes gamification to determine your grade, emphasizing performance across various tracks. This class evaluates your performance in 4 key skill sets:
- Theory
- SQL
- System Programming
- Database Design
To convert these skill sets into letter grade, we will follow the following criteria:
| Grade | Criteria |
|---|---|
| A | 4 out of 4 tracks must be at Master |
| B+ | At C, 3 out of 4 tracks must be at Master |
| B | At C, 2 out of 4 tracks must be at Master |
| C+ | At C, 1 out of 4 tracks must be at Master |
| C | 4 out of 4 tracks must be at Baseline |
| D+ | 3 out of 4 tracks must be at Baseline |
| D | 2 out of 4 tracks must be at Baseline |
Each skill set will be evaluated using the following levels:
- Master: Achieve a score greater than or equal to 90%
- Baseline: Achieve a score greater than or equal to 50% but below 90%
- Below Baseline: Achieve a score less than 50%
🎫 ONE-Stamp
This class is truly unique and special because we have thoughtfully designed it using a gamification model. By incorporating elements of game design, we aim to make the learning experience more enjoyable, interactive, and engaging for everyone.
To make the experience even more exciting, we have introduced a reward system called the ONE-Stamp. This system is designed to encourage active participation and consistent effort. By attending classes and specific tasks like submitting assignments or homework, you can earn these ONE-stamps. Think of them as small tokens of recognition for your dedication, adding an layer of motivation to your learning journey in this course 🎖️.
🤩 How do I get it?
For each lab attendance, you will earn 1 ONE-Stamp.
For each successful submission on the lab assignment, homework, and review quiz, you will earn 1 ONE-Stamp
Programming assignments and attendance in lecture (P' Guide) will not count. However, you need to do your best because they contribute to your skill set in System Programming.
| ONE-Stamp | Bonus Received |
|---|---|
| 5 | +1 Grace Day |
| 15 |
Per redemption, you will allow to gain an extra credit for a bonus question in either the SQL Exam,
Midterm Exam, or Final Exam (choose one).
You can redeem it after the exam day, meaning you will be able to see the bonus exam on the last page of the each exam before making a decision. After the exam, in 24 hours, the COW Assistant system will open for redeeming the option to take the bonus exam. If you complete the bonus exam but fail to redeem it in the COW Assistant, the system will immediately deduct 15 ONE-stamps. |
| 40 points (20 points * 2) |
The TA can be your comrade (i.e., an extra person in your project group) for one day. |
| 40 points (20 points * 2) |
The TA can check your work one hour before the final project presentation. |
| 40 point |
+0.5 grade
Example (B+ -> A) |
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📊 Exam
There will be three exams during the course. These exams will assess the mandatory readings and topics covered in class. The first exam will be a midterm, the second will be a final exam, and the third will focus specifically on SQL.
The exams are consider as one of the skill set, so make sure to do your best!
💻 SQL Exam
The third exam will focus on testing your knowledge and skills in SQL (Structured Query Language). It will cover topics such as querying databases, writing SELECT statements, using JOINs, GROUP BY, WHERE clauses, and understanding database design principles. The exam will include both theoretical questions and practical exercises, where you will need to write SQL queries to solve problems.
The SQL exam is consider as one of the skill set (SQL), so make sure to do your best!
😇 Grace Day
Assignments submitted is not eligible for a grace day,you need to do in class and submit in day. However, if homework is submitted after the due date, you can use a grace day to extend the submission time. If you do not use a grace day and submit the homework late, 50% of the score for that assignment will be deducted for each day it is late. Submissions will not be accepted beyond the grace period.
❤️ Mental Health and Wellness
We are aware that this course is hard and could make you feel unwell. Please remember that you are not alone. You can always reach out to us if anything happens. This also includes a scenario, for example, you cannot submit an assignment on time. We can always extend the deadline if necessary. Remember, come and talk with us!
🎓 Academic Integrity (Adapted from CMU)
We will not tolerate any cheating or plagiarism or unauthorized assistance cases. At least "F" will be given to the one committing one of the above cases.
Cheating occurs when a student avails her/himself of an unfair or disallowed advantage which includes but is not limited to:
Plagiarism is defined as the use of work or concepts contributed by other individuals without proper attribution or citation. Unique ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged in academic work to be graded. Examples of sources expected to be referenced include but are not limited to:
Unauthorized assistance refers to the use of sources of support that have not been specifically authorized in this policy statement or by the course instructor(s) in the completion of academic work to be graded. Such sources of support may include but are not limited to advice or help provided by another individual, published or unpublished written sources, and electronic sources. Examples of unauthorized assistance include but are not limited to: