COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems

Fall (Winter Term 1) 2016 - University of British Columbia Okanagan

Overview

The COSC 304 course covers everything a computer programmer needs to know about databases (ER/UML database design, SQL, database programming). This course trains students on critical industrial skills.

On-line Resources

• Syllabus

Student Performance

Of the 86 registered students who started the course, all but four got a D or above. The average GPA was 3.14. Charts showing the mark breakdown are below.

Comments

This class has been offered many times and continues to deliver high value to students, especially the labs and project. (instructor rating: 4.96).

Strengths of the Course

• "This course was excellent. Probably one of the greatest courses I will ever take. The content was extremely well organized and the lab exercises were completely relevant to the material. I think I learned more practical knowledge in this class than all my other classes combined."
  


• "The professor is the strongest part of this course. Ramon is by far the best prof I have had at the university. I don't know how he grades tests and assignments so fast, he is a machine. Very willing to help with any problems and wants feedback good or bad."
  


• "Ramon is a very good teacher, teaches the content well and effectively while also making class fun and engaging. The course rewards those who put in the effort and gives opportunity to catch up when falling behind, which is quite rare."
  


• "Course was well-formatted. Lecture content was all posted before lectures, along with assignments. Solutions being posted online was also very helpful. Motivation to attend class and participate in class is a big plus. Lecture were also taught very well. Excellent experience, overall, really. Totally would rejoin computer science again because of Professor Lawrence's teaching style."
  

Weakness of the Course

• "The Course Project is really large and our team had to sacrifice lots of time for it."
  


• "Labs often took place before the material was covered in class so it was hard to do the assignment during the lab section. It might be a good idea to implement a peer evaluation option for group members that don't help very much with the project."
  


• "I think at times we were not being taught everything that we needed to know for the labs which was quite frustrating when the prerequisites of the course are very minor compared to what we were expected to know sometimes."
  

Most Enjoyable Part of the Course

• "The best professor I have ever had. The material was challenging but I always felt prepared for tests and assignments. The speed of exam marking was incredible. I would recommend this course or any other taught by this professor to anyone interested in any level of Computer Science."
  


• "I really enjoyed how Dr. Lawrence inspires students to put effort into his class. He is very encouraging. Although I never scored high enough to be in the top 10 marks for either midterm, I certainly pushed myself in an attempt to make it, which paid off."
  


• "I loved getting candy in class and clicker questions, as it motivates me to come to class. I loved doing the project, and I feel like I've learned very important things that I would use after I graduate. This is one of my favorite classes in this university, and professor Ramon is by far the best professor I've had."
  


• "Dr. Lawrence's teaching style. Dr. Lawrence is as good at teaching, as Lionel Messi is good at soccer. That is the largest compliment that I could give him. He is a Database Master-mind. I heard other professors talking about how good Dr. Lawrence is teaching and how some professors look up to him."