Course Syllabus
Download the Syllabus as a PDF
Contact Information
Course Details
Description
BIA 3733 Database Management provides a strong foundation for understanding the fundamentals of programming. This course will utilize the Python programming language. Students will focus their efforts on a series of assignments ranging from the fundamental concepts of Python programming to data analysis techniques such as linear/logistic regression. Concepts discussed are vital to anyone pursuing a career in information systems management, data analysis, or any field where understanding and use of data is important (e.g., most business fields).
This is not an easy class; expect to expend considerable time and effort. However, it can be fun learning the different aspects of data management. Plan to get started on the semester project early and do not hesitate to ask the instructor any questions you may have about the material as the course progresses.
This class combines a variety of techniques to capture student interests from several possible angles. The lectures provide a base of knowledge that students can use in other components of the course. In-class workbook exercises provide an avenue for applying the knowledge base. Class discussions provide an opportunity for discovery. This approach only works when students complete the readings before class and then participate in the exercises and discussions.
Course Methodology
The course schedule at the bottom of this document accurately depicts the flow of the course. Students will view lectures one day, and then apply those concepts to an assignment that will be due before the next lecture.
Students will be required to summarize the content of the lectures. These descriptions are part of the Class Participation component of the final grade. Students will summarize each lecture and submit a half-page document. This document will be due on the day of the next lecture posting.
- Example: A participation assignment based on Monday’s lecture will be due on Wednesday.
Course Materials
We will utilize Google’s open-source Python platform, CoLab. To use this tool, you must have a Google account.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Class Participation |
Complete the live lecture participation assignments posted on canvas. |
20% |
| Homework Assignments | Are designed to encourage students to work actively with the course material and thereby master course materials. | 80% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90-100% | A |
| 80-89% | B |
| 70-79% | C |
| 60-69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Participation
For this class to work the way it is designed, students must be actively involved. Active involvement consists of three components:
- Viewing the lectures on time
- Reading and thinking about the material before coming to class
- Sharing of and discussing thoughts and ideas
Students’ participation grades are dependent on all of these, culminating in the third item.
To receive full points for participation (20%), you must:
- Complete the Live Session participation assignments posted on Canvas within 48 hours of the conclusion of that class. (A lecture posted for Monday, will have a participation assignment due by Wednesday.)
Please realize that, during class discussions and exercises, it is okay to be wrong! You will get a participation point whether or not you are correct. If you try to answer a question and your answer is incorrect, there is a good chance you are not the only one who thought that way.
Homework Assignments
Homework assignments for this course are designed to encourage students to work actively with the course material and thereby master course materials. Further, homework enables students and the instructor to recognize any points that are not yet fully understood. Students are expected to complete each of the homework problems. If, after considerable effort, you are stuck on a problem, note (on the homework) the specific difficulty you are having and move on.
Students may discuss the homework problems and approaches to answering them with their classmates. However, students are expected to work independently in the actual completion of their work. For instance, if two (or more) homework answers have the same typos, it will be assumed that work was not done independently and therefore represents an honor code violation. In such cases, the instructor will take appropriate action, ranging from a reduction in grade to reporting of the violation.
Course Policies
Attendance Policy
Students must view recorded lectures in time to work on and submit assignments before the required due dates. Attendance will not be taken, but to move through the class, students must submit short reflective essays regarding each posted lecture.
Communication
Students are welcome to communicate with me. I will try to respond to all emails within 48 business hours.
All emails sent by me will be sent to the email registered in your name at the University of Oklahoma.
If you wish to receive course emails at another email address, you can add one or more alternate email addresses to your account through your Canvas profile.
Late Policy
To receive full credit for a written assignment, assignments must be turned in at the beginning of the class period on the day it is due. Late work will not be accepted. If you have obligations that conflict with exam or assignment due dates, you should make arrangements with the instructor as soon as possible to complete these ahead of time. Feel free to submit homework assignments early.
- Missed Exams/Assignments: Make-up exams will be given only in extraordinary circumstances. If you expect to miss an exam or to be unable to meet another requirement, please discuss this with the instructor before the scheduled date.
- Score/Grade Appeals: Students wishing to appeal a grade, or score must submit the appeal to the instructor in writing within 48 hours of receiving the graded work. Score changes are at the discretion of the instructor. It is important to understand that your score may go up or down based upon a complete review of the work in question. It is usually the case that changing a few points on an assignment rarely makes a difference in the final grade. As such, student (and instructor) time is generally much better spent discussing and clarifying the information content presented in the course.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog .
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries .
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity .
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center before receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to request reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center .
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office .
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no-contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week before the actual date of the religious holiday.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar , which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|