BUS3010 Advanced programming for database applications - Semester 2 , 2006 unit guide

Semester 2, 2006

Chief Examiner

David Taniar

Lecturers

Clayton : David Taniar

Outline

This unit is designed for students who wish to extend their programming abilities in developing relatively large database applications. An integrated system of significant size will be developed using the current industry standard software. Topics covered include the principal aspects of database development and applications, advanced queries, customising forms and professional reporting, business graphics, importing and exporting data, internet applications, debugging and error-handling security and system documentation.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to
  • create a database system for practical application utilizing forms, reports and graphics.
  • understand the principal aspects of setting up a complete database software system; and
  • produce a database system of professional quality.

Prerequisites

Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed An introductory unit in databases or equivalent. For example BUS3112. (Also IMS1907 IMS2112 CSE2132 CSE2138 CSE2316 CSE3316 CSE3180 MMS2801 GCO2815 CPE2005) , or equivalent.

Unit relationships

BUS3010 is an elective unit in the Bachelor of Business Systems course. THe prerequisite of this subject is an introductory unit in databases or equivalent. For example BUS3112. (Also IMS1907 IMS2112 CSE2132 CSE2138 CSE2316 CSE3316 CSE3180 MMS2801 GCO2815 CPE2005).

Texts and software

Required text(s)

Morrison, J. and Morrison, M., A Guide to Oracle 9i incl. Student version Oracle CD, Course Technology, Thomson Learning, ISBN 0619-15959-6

Textbook availability

Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

Software requirements

Oracle Developer (Form Builder) and Oracle SQL*Plus

Hardware requirements

Students may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 10 hours per week for use of a computer, including time for programming.

Recommended reading

Morrison, J. and Morrison, M., A Guide to Oracle 9i incl. Student version Oracle CD, Course Technology, Thomson Learning, ISBN 0619-15959-6

Library access

You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.

Study resources

Study resources for BUS3010 are:

The BUS3010/5410 web site on MUSO, where lecture slides, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications, sample solutions and supplementary material will be posted.

Unit website

http://muso.monash.edu.au/

Structure and organisation

Week Topics
1 Topic 1 - SQL
2 Topic 2 - Data Block
3 Topic 2 - Data Block
4 Topic 3 - Basic PL/SQL
5 Topic 3 - Basic PL/SQL
6 Topic 3 - Adv PL/SQL
7 Topic 4 - Custom Form
8 Class Test
9 Topic 4 - Custom Form
10 Topic 4 - Custom Form
Non teaching week
11 Topic 5 - Integrated Application
12 Topic 6 - Report Builder
13 Revision

Timetable

The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+

Assessment

Assessment weighting

Assessment for the unit consists of two assignments with a weighting of 30%, a class test with a weighting of 10% and an examination with a weighting of 60%.

Assessment Policy

To pass this unit you must:

If the exam is failed, the final result for the subject will be the examination result - Assignment+Lab will be counted towards the final subject result IF the final exam is passed.

Your score for the unit will be calculated by:

if exam < 50 then final result = exam else final result = 10%*first assignment + 20%*second assignment + 10%*class test + 60%* exam end if

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Due Date Weighting
Assignment One 31-August-2006 10%
Assignment Two 12-Oct-2006 20 %
Class Test 6-Sept-2006 10 %
Exam TBA 60 %

Assignment specifications will be made available at the subject website.

Assignment Submission

Assignments will be submitted to the designated assignment box at the School of Business Systems, Clayton.

Extensions and late submissions

Late submission of assignments

Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 10% per day. Assignments received later than one week after the due date will not normally be accepted.

This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment. 

Extensions

It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. 

Requests for extensions must be made by email to the unit lecturer at least seven days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Grading of assessment

Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:

Grade Percentage/description
HD High Distinction - very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction - high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit - sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.

Assignment return

We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within four weeks after assignment receipt.

Feedback

Feedback to you

You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.

Feedback from you

You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.

And if you are having problems

It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

Plagiarism and cheating

Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.

Communication

Communication methods

Email is a preferred method of communication.

Notices

Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the Notices Newsgroup in the Unit Website. Check this regularly. Failure to read the Notices newsgroup is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.

Consultation Times

Thursdays 12-1pm

If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:

Dr David Taniar
Senior Lecturer
Phone +61 3 990 59693
Fax +61 3 9905 5159

All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.

Last updated: Jul 31, 2006