Course Syllabus

Contact Information

This table includes information about how to contact your instructor and other important details about your class

Image of 'anonymous' person

Office Hours: By Appointment Only

Phone: (520) 440-6168 (cell)

Email: alex@ou.edu

Live Session: Tuesday, 7 - 9 PM, October 16 - Dec 8

Zoom link: click here

Meeting ID: 928 2944 4595

Password: 28081867

Dr. Alexandra Durcikova

John Mertes Presidential Professor

MIS

Course Details

Every organization is concerned with data management. Data must be stored effectively and securely so that it can be retrieved to support decision-making. These issues are particularly relevant for the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry, an environment where extra measures must be taken in all aspects of security. The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of data management and security in A&D. We will cover essential concepts and skills useful in the rest of your coursework as well as your future careers, including:
1. The fundamentals of data and storage and retrieval as it relates to the A&D industry:
  • Different types of electronic data storage (p relational database, data warehouse, NoSQL database,  and Blockchain)
  • Utilizing SQL to interact with functional relational databases. 
  • Basic understanding of schema (Entity-Relationship Model)
  • Use of SQL in SQL injections

2. Cybersecurity First Principles

  • Understanding why cyberweapons are the perfect weapons (that target data and information stored in databases)
  • Why we need to embrace the absolute cybersecurity first principle
  • How and why A&D organizations must implement the five critical strategies: Resilience, Zero Trust, Intrusion Kill Chain Prevention, Automation, and Risk Forecasting

3. Current cybersecurity threat analysis and its relation to A&D

Many often view technical subjects as quite the challenge, but here's the good news: every concept, no matter how intricate, can be broken down into simple, understandable terms. In this class, we'll be diving into the fascinating realms of data management and cybersecurity. Think of it as savoring a fine meal; the flavors are all there, but you'll need a moment to truly appreciate and digest them. Always feel free to reach out with questions as we journey through the material together. Let's make learning both enlightening and enjoyable! 

Course Objectives

This class combines a variety of techniques to capture student interests from several possible angles. The readings and lectures provide a base of knowledge that students can use in other course components. In-class exercises offer 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 participate in the exercises and discussions.

Course Materials

MyEducator Essentials of SQL (textbook provided on Canvas) [Please check in with Michele if you haven't received your access code]

Sanger The Perfect Weapon, Broadway Books, ISBN 978-0-451-49790-1

Required Software

We will access the software via a browser. Please make sure that you have Chrome installed on your computer. 

Grades

Breakdown

Course activities and grades listed for each activity
Activity Description Percentage

 Lecture Participation

Receive points by being present at the lecture or by watching the recording and submitting a one (1) paragraph summary of the lecture. Due every Sunday at 11:59 PM.  5%
In-Class Problems Receive points by submitting the solutions to the problems we solved together in class. Must be submitted by Sunday 11:59 PM.  15%
Class Reflections After every class, you will be asked to write a structured reflection that will consist of the following items: A detailed summary, Two topics that were very interesting to you and why, and One question that you still have about the material. Class reflection will be due every Sunday at 11:59 PM.  20%
Quizzes A quiz will test students' understanding of the topics covered during the lecture and based on assigned reading. Students can take the quiz three (3) times. The highest score will be recorded. Quizzes will be due every Tuesday at 5 PM.  15%
Group Project Teams will present. Please see the Group Project page for more details. Slides due Tuesday at 5 PM in Week 7. Write-up is due on Tuesday at 5 PM in Week 8.  15%
Homework The best way to learn is to apply the concepts we covered in class. Therefore, after each lecture, students will be given time to complete assignments on their own.  Homework will be due every Tuesday at 5 PM.  15%
Final Exam A comprehensive final exam will be scheduled during the last lecture in Week 8.  15%
Total  100%

Scale

Grade

Range

A

Above 90%

B

80-90%

C

70-80%

D

60-70%

F

Below 60%

Course Components

Live Lecture Participation

For the design of this class to work, students must be actively involved in the class. This class will have multiple participation exercises that we will work on together in class. At times, I may ask you to finish the participation as homework. However, you will have time to finish them and also have the opportunity to get the correct answers.

Please realize that, during class discussions and exercises, it is okay to be wrong! 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. By seeing the wrong answers and understanding why they are wrong, everyone can learn. Incorrect answers on exams, of course, still carry a penalty, so it's essential to get those answers sorted out during the class time.

In-Class Problems

We will complete a variety of exercises to reinforce the concepts covered in the classroom. We will work on these assignments together.

Class Reflection

After each live lecture, students will be asked to write a reflection on what was covered in the class that day. After every class, you will be asked to write a structured reflection that will consist of the following items: A summary of the class, two topics that were very interesting to you and why, and one question that you still have about the material. A rubric for response quality is posted for each class reflection. In addition, there may be a question from the assigned reading. 

Quizzes

To get the most out of this class, it is imperative that you read the assigned reading material. During live lectures, I will reinforce this material and at times extend it. Weekly quizzes are based on the assigned reading and are designed to help you to get a good understanding of the basic concepts introduced in the material that will be further discussed in the live lecture and online discussion. The goal of these quizzes is to ensure that students are competent in the topics covered, rather than punishing them for what they don't know. These quizzes will be available via Canvas. Each quiz may be taken three times. The highest score will be applied to the final grade. 

Group Project

The goals of the group project are: (1) to integrate and apply what you learn in this class; (2) to allow you to apply what you have learned to a specific company, and (3) to enhance your skills in terms of discussing data and cybersecurity issues with your colleagues. Teams created during the first two sessions of the class will consist of three (3) students. The final project grade will be based on the team's completion of the assigned project, a final written report, and an oral presentation to the class.

Final Exam

The final exam will be conducted during the last week of class. It will cover all the material we discussed in the class. More information will be provided later in the module. 

Course Policies

Communication

The best way to contact me is via MS Teams. Please post any questions about the class or assignments here: DISCUSSION B: Course Help Board . I will reply as soon as possible, but no later than in 24 hours if you request me to respond. 

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 quizzes 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 assignments early.

Missed Exams/Assignments

Make-up quizzes will be given only in extraordinary circumstances. If you expect to miss a quiz or cannot meet another requirement, please discuss this with the instructor before the scheduled date. Requests for an extension due to work or family issues will be granted given they are made at least 24 hours before the due 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 on 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. To submit a grade appeal, please direct message me on Teams. 


University Academic Policies and Student Support

Land Acknowledgement

Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.

We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.

The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.

Course Catalog 

Search the OU Course Catalog.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Student Support Services

OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Copyright Statement and Privacy Information

Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, the privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.

Academic Integrity

As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. 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

Academic honesty is incredibly important in this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report 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. 

Religious Observance

It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities

The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they can enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.

If you are experiencing a disability or a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.

To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.

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. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Institutional Equity Office (M-F, from 8-5, at 405-325-3546) or OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013).

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 your instructor 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.

Mental Health Support Services

If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.

Final Exam Preparation Period

Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.

Required Policies for Students On Campus

Emergency Protocol

During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.

Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:

  1. Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
  2. Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
  3. Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in the innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
  4. Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
  5. Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.

Additional information about severe weather preparedness is available through the Department of Campus Safety's Emergency Management Division.

OU-Norman Campus: Tornado Refuge Protocol

Severe Weather Preparedness Video

Armed Subject/Campus Intruder

If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:

  1. Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
  2. Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
  3. Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:

OU's Emergency Preparedness site

Shots Fire on Campus Procedure

Fire Alarm/General Emergency

If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:

  1. Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
  2. Know at least two building exits.
  3. Assist those who may need help.
  4. Proceed to the emergency assembly area.
  5. Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone who may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
  6. Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.

OU Fire Safety on Campus Video

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due