Lecture 00: Course Mechanics
DATA 351: Data Management with SQL
Abstract
This lecture covers the course mechanics for DATA 351: Data Management with SQL.
Welcome! 🎉
Course Welcome
DATA 351: Data Management
Prof. Lucas Cordova
LPCordova@willamette.edu
Course Support
Office Hours (15-minute appointments or drop-in):
| Day | Salem | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | 4:30 - 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | 4:30 - 5:30 PM (Salem) |
If scheduled times do not work, contact me to arrange an alternative meeting.
Note
- The link to schedule an appointment is on Canvas.
- Discrod Server available (optional). Link provided on Canvas.
Course Information
Catalog Description
Data management is core to both applied computer science and data science. This course covers:
- Storing, managing, and processing datasets of varying sizes and types
- Relational databases and file-based databases
- Cloud-based storage and data streaming
- Accessing data using Structured Query Language (SQL)
Prerequisites: CS 151 or DATA 151
Credits: 4.0
Course Description
As large-scale data becomes increasingly prevalent, meaningful analysis requires data be stored and organized for efficient access.
This course introduces the fundamental skills of data engineering:
- Acquiring data
- Storing data
- Maintaining data repositories
The course centers on PostgreSQL with techniques transferable to other SQL variants.
Learning Outcomes
Students will gain working knowledge in:
- Fundamental tasks of data engineering and relational database concepts
- Working with and querying relational databases using SQL
- Exploring trends and computing descriptive statistics using SQL
- Joining database tables to construct complex relationships
- Advanced database queries utilizing text mining and spatial analysis
Learning Objectives
Upon completion, students will be able to:
- Define relational databases and articulate their advantages
- Create database tables, parse and insert data, specify relationships
- Query databases using advanced filters, descriptive statistics, and joins
- Apply SQL to complex data types (text parsing, spatial analysis)
- Integrate multiple data sources and extract insights
Course Roadmap
Required Materials
Textbook:
Practical SQL: A Beginner’s Guide to Storytelling with Data (2nd ed.)
Anthony DeBarros | ISBN: 9781718501065
CodeGrade Enrollment Key ($35):
- Available via Bookstore (Bearcat Bundle) or personal credit card
- Accessed through Canvas (do not access CodeGrade directly)
- You will set up your account during the first assignment
Assessments
Grade Weighting
| Deliverable | Weight |
|---|---|
| Attendance & Participation | 10% |
| Assignments (approx. 10) | 40% |
| Project | 30% |
| Midterm Exam | 10% |
| Final Exam | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
Letter Grade Distribution
| Grade | Range | Grade | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | >= 92.00 | C | 72.00 - 77.99 |
| A- | 90.00 - 91.99 | C- | 70.00 - 71.99 |
| B+ | 88.00 - 89.99 | D+ | 68.00 - 69.99 |
| B | 82.00 - 87.99 | D | 62.00 - 67.99 |
| B- | 80.00 - 81.99 | D- | 60.00 - 61.99 |
| C+ | 78.00 - 79.99 | F | <= 59.99 |
Attendance & Participation
Your grade is based on:
- Attendance (taken randomly throughout semester)
- Active participation in class activities
- Completion of in-class and out-of-class activities
Important: Participation activities cannot be made up if missed.
Assignments
Assignments contain elements of:
- Design
- Coding
- Analysis
SQL coding assignments are submitted to CodeGrade via Canvas for instant feedback.
Project
Group Project where you:
- Compile and utilize a database
- Construct and answer a problem of your own design
- Choose any topic and database type
All deliverables due: End of day, last day of class (Week 15)
Presentations: Final two class sessions
Exams
Midterm Exam:
- Covers first half of course (Chapters 1-8)
- Date communicated at least one week in advance
Final Exam:
- Comprehensive assessment of all course material
- Wednesday, May 6th, 8:00 - 11:00 AM
Course Schedule
Weeks 1-4: Foundations
| Week | Topics | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Overview, First Database, SELECT | Ch 1-2 |
| 2 | Understanding Data Types | Ch 3 |
| 3 | Importing/Exporting Data | Ch 4 |
| 4 | Math and Stats with SQL | Ch 5 |
Note: MLK Day (Jan 19) - No Class
Weeks 5-8: Core Concepts
| Week | Topics | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Joining Tables | Ch 6 |
| 6 | Designing Tables | Ch 7 |
| 7 | Grouping and Summarizing | Ch 8 |
| 8 | Midterm Exam (Ch 1-8) | - |
Note: Week 6 Wed - Professor out of town
Weeks 9-12: Advanced Topics
| Week | Topics | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Inspecting and Modifying Data | Ch 9 |
| 10 | Dates/Times, Window Functions | Ch 11-12 |
| 11 | Spring Break | - |
| 12 | Mining Text | Ch 13 |
Weeks 13-16: Specialized Topics & Project
| Week | Topics | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Spatial Data with PostGIS | Ch 14 |
| 14 | Web Scraping, Views/Functions/Triggers | Ch 15 |
| 15 | Project Presentations | - |
| 16 | Final Exam (May 6, 8-11 AM) | - |
Assignment Due Dates
| Week | Date | Due |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Wed, Jan 21 | HW 1 |
| 3 | Wed, Jan 28 | HW 2 |
| 4 | Wed, Feb 4 | HW 3 |
| 5 | Wed, Feb 11 | HW 4 |
| 7 | Wed, Feb 25 | HW 5 |
| 8 | Wed, Mar 4 | Midterm |
| 9 | Wed, Mar 11 | HW 6 |
| 10 | Wed, Mar 18 | HW 7 |
| 12 | Wed, Apr 1 | HW 8 |
| 13 | Wed, Apr 8 | HW 9 |
| 14 | Wed, Apr 15 | HW 10 |
| 15 | Wed, Apr 22 | Project |
| 16 | Wed, May 6 | Final |
Course Policies
Attendance Policy
Consistent attendance is essential for your success.
Expectations:
- Attend all classes
- Come prepared and ready to contribute
- Notify instructor of illness or emergency as soon as possible
Attendance tracked through explicit checks or in-class activities.
Late Work Policy: Participation
Attendance, Participation, & Reading Activities:
- Based on attendance and active participation
- In-class and out-of-class activities contribute to grade
- Cannot be made up if missed
Late Work Policy: Assignments
Assignments must be submitted by the designated due date.
Late Submission Tokens:
- Each student receives 3 tokens at semester start
- Each token reopens one assignment (regardless of days late)
- Only applies to CodeGrade assignments
Using Late Tokens
To request a reopen:
- Navigate to “Assignment Late Tokens” on Canvas
- Submit a text entry with:
- Assignment number requesting reopen
- Date you anticipate completing submission
- Wait for confirmation before submitting
Use tokens wisely; no additional tokens granted.
Late Work Policy: Project
All project deliverables due at end of day on last day of class (Week 15).
Presentations occur during final two class sessions.
Incomplete Policy
Incomplete grades granted only for:
- Prolonged illness
- Family emergencies removing student from campus for extended time
Not granted for falling behind due to lack of motivation, understanding, or time management.
If concerned about progress, please visit office hours.
Classroom Conduct
Willamette is committed to creating a constructive and healthy learning community.
Disruptive behaviors include:
- Interrupting others or speaking out of turn
- Distracting the class from subject matter
- Unauthorized recordings or photos
- Any physical threat, harassment, or abusive act
Academic Honesty
Academic Honesty Overview
Cheating includes any form of intellectual dishonesty or misrepresentation.
Plagiarism consists of representing someone else’s work as your own.
Penalties range from grade reduction to failing the course.
Reasonable Actions
These are allowed:
- Discussing assignments to clarify requirements
- Discussing solution strategies verbally (no code sharing)
- Whiteboarding solutions (diagrams, pseudocode)
- Referring classmates to helpful resources
- Searching web for general concepts
- Using small code snippets with proper citation
- Working with tutors (all code must be your own)
- Pairs programming during official activities
Not Reasonable Actions
These are not allowed:
- Submitting another student’s work as your own
- Copying from another’s quiz or exam
- Viewing or copying another student’s code
- Copying solutions from previous years
- Asking for or buying solutions
- Sharing code in public forums
- Maintaining public repositories of course solutions
Use of Generative AI
Reasonable Use:
- Generating ideas or examples
- Clarifying concepts with AI explanations
Not Reasonable Use:
- Copying AI-generated code directly
- Submitting AI-generated work as your own
When in doubt, ask for clarification.
Key Willamette Policies
Inclusive Classroom
I will honor your request to address you by your affirmed name and pronouns.
If I inadvertently use incorrect pronouns, please let me know in whatever manner you feel comfortable.
Time Commitments
Willamette’s Credit Hour Policy:
For every hour of class time, expect 2-3 hours of work outside class.
For a class meeting twice weekly, expect 6-9 hours outside class for:
- Study time
- Reading and homework
- Assignments and research projects
- Group work
Diversity and Disability
Willamette values diversity and inclusion.
If aspects of this course create barriers to your learning, notify me as soon as possible.
Accessible Education Services:
- Location: Matthews 103
- Phone: 503-370-6737
- Email: accessible-info@willamette.edu
Additional Support
SOAR Center (Third floor, Putnam University Center):
- Bearcat Pantry (food, toiletries)
- Clothing Share
- First-Generation Book Drive
Contact: soar-center@willamette.edu
Commitment to Positive Sexual Ethics
Willamette strictly prohibits discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.
As a mandatory reporter, I must report incidents of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator.
Confidential resources:
- Confidential Advocate: confidential-advocate@willamette.edu
- GRAC: 503-851-4245
- WUTalk (24-hour crisis line): 503-375-5353
Other Policies
Religious Practice:
Notify instructor within first two weeks if you anticipate conflicts with holy days.
Land Acknowledgement:
We respectfully acknowledge we are gathered on the ancestral land of the Kalapuya people.
Intellectual Property:
Class materials and discussions are for enrolled students only. Unauthorized distribution is prohibited.
Key Takeaways
What You Need to Know
Materials:
- Get the textbook (Practical SQL, 2nd ed.)
- Purchase CodeGrade enrollment key ($35)
Key Dates:
- Midterm: Week 8 (March 4)
- Project Due: Week 15
- Final Exam: May 6, 8:00 - 11:00 AM
Success Tips:
- Attend class consistently
- Use office hours
- Manage your 3 late tokens wisely
TL;DR?
Contact Information:
Prof. Lucas Cordova
LPCordova@willamette.edu
Office Hours:
Monday & Wednesday
10:30 - 11:30 AM (Salem) | 4:30 - 5:30 PM
Let’s have a great semester!