Discipline Information (including Academic Honesty, Late Work, Contact Information, etc.)

Prerequisites: This class has no prerequisites other than knowing how to turn on a computer, type, and use a mouse.

Course Resources:
Morrison, J. M., Computing in Python Chapter 1
W3 Schools (or other web reference)
MySQL Documentation

Course Description: This introductory course emphasizes the server side of Web Development with a focus on databases. We will learn how to think about data in a useful way. Build and use SQL databases using MySQL. Use basic python to connect to the database It is intended to be accessible to all students with a desire to learn and a willingness to work hard. You will learn marketable skills and ease yourself in to more advanced computer science courses if you so choose. You will experience the excitement of creating a database yourself and making it work.

Course Objectives: These are the things you will learn about.

1. You will understand the basic structure of a relational database.
2. You will learn how to create a SQL database
3. You will learn basic programming paradigms such as variables, looping, and conditional logic using Python.
4. You will learn to use Python to access and use MySQL databases
5. You will learn how to interact with a computer via a command line interface.
6. You will collaborate on projects with your peers.

Rough outline of the class:

1. What is LINUX, vi? (1 week) We will learn a basic overview of the client-server paradigm and basic server side navigation. You will learn how to create, edit and manage files and directories in LINUX.
2. Data (1 week) We will think about data and how to structure it in programmatically useful ways.
3. Basic Databases (2 weeks) This is our first look/attempt at building a database de novo. We will talk about pitfalls of data integrity and maintenance.
4. Basic SQL (2 weeks) This is our introduction to SQL. We will learn how to create a database, insert data, delete data, and query the database.
5. Basic Python(1 week) In this section we will learn enough basic python to be able to interact with our database programmatically.
6. Joins (1 week) Here we will begin to look at more complex components of SQL, and how to structure more useful, real life data in ways that are easily maintained and used.
7. Final Projects (2 weeks) This is a capstone project you will build in a group. It should be a sophisticated solution to a real world problem that demonstrates your ability to apply the skills and techniques taught in the class.

Course Goal: You will learn how to structure data and use SQL to access it. This will be applied to solve real world problems by building working, maintainable databases.

Class Mechanics: a description of the general workings of NCSSM Computer Science Classes.

Grading

Assessment and Grading: This course will include formal assessment through homework problems, tests, quizzes and a capstone design project, as well as informal assessment through in-class assignments. These assessments will determine student progress in achieving the desired objectives and outcomes for this course. Your grade for the course will typically be calculated as follows:

Depending on the actual breakdown of assignments, these weightings may vary slightly from trimester to trimester or section to section. Your instructor will have a document containing the specifics for your class section.