Hello & Welcome

COP2702 Oracle SQL

Thank you for enrolling in COP2702, Introduction to Oracle: SQL. I would like to welcome you to this on-line course. I am looking forward to working with each of you and hope that you will find the course both enjoyable and informative. My name is Dick Grant and I am the instructor for the course. My e-mail address is grantd@scc-fl.edu. Please visit my web site  and review the syllabus. This site is not password protected. E-mail me any questions. 

Distance Learning Considerations: This class covers the concepts of relational databases and the industry standard SQL language. Students are taught to create and maintain database objects and to store, retrieve, and manipulate data. Hands-on lab assignments reinforce the fundamental concepts presented in the textbook and the online course notes. This course prepares students for Introduction to Oracle certification exam. 

To take this course in the on-line format you must have basic computer skills such as using e-mail, navigating the Web, and using the keyboard and mouse. Tests will be administered online. Assignments will be submitted via email (preferred), postal service, or hand delivered to my office.

To Get Started: I recommend you do the following when the term starts : 

Class Attendance:

Students taking this course on campus:

Attendance will be taken at each class meeting. No part of your final grade depends directly on attendance.  However, your attendance is critical for success in this course.  It is college policy that the instructor may withdraw a student who has missed 10% or more of the scheduled class meetings. 

Students taking this course online:

If you are taking this course online, it is conducted entirely via the virtual Angel classroom. There are no required sessions on campus. However, to "attend" class you must accomplish the following items. I will withdraw you from class automatically if you fail to meet any of these requirements.

  • Complete the check in process before the end of the first week of class.
  • Log in to the Angel course site at least once every two weeks.
  • Substantially complete and submit assignments. I will automatically withdraw you from class if you fail to substantially complete and submit any two consecutive assignments.

Exceptions to the above are granted under extraordinary circumstances such as illness, military commitments, or religious holidays.

Required Materials:  Oracle 10g SQL by Joan Casteel; ISBN 10: 1-4188-3629-x or  ISBN 13: 978-1-4188-3629-0;   Visit the SCC Bookstore online. 

Angel: Angel is a course management program where much of the course resides. Student tracking, lecture notes, grades, and testing will take place within the Angel environment. You cannot actually enter the course on the site until the term begins and I place your name and ID into Angel. Hopefully I will have you entered within a day after the term starts. You will need an ID and Password to enter the course. If you have never used Angel you may want to visit the Student Angel Resources page for information on using this tool. This site doesn't require a login ID and password.

The COP2702 site does require a login ID and password. You must create your login and password by visiting the MySCC site.  Visit the DL Student Support site for more information on login IDs and passwords.

Hardware and Software Requirements:  You are required to have access to a computer able to access the Internet and send and receive email with attachments. For best results, please use a version 4 (or newer) Internet browser. If you don't have access to the necessary hardware you may use the computers in the SCC open labs. There is an open lab at both the Sanford and Oviedo campuses. The open lab at the Sanford campus is in the Library. The open lab at the Oviedo campus is on the second floor of the OVE building. The open labs are available seven days a week. Check the sign outside the lab for hours of operation.

I strongly suggest you have access to a Oracle 10g database system.  The textbook will have a copy of Oracle 10g on a CD.  You can install and use this software to complete all the assignments in this course. You may download a temporary free copy of Oracle 10g  from the Oracle web site.   To run the Oracle 10g under Windows, your computer must have the Windows Vista, Windows XP (Professional or Personal versions), Windows NT 4.0, or Windows 2000 operating system (with Service Pack 1), and must be configured to support TCP/IP networking operations. (If you can connect to the Internet, then your computer is configured to support TCP/IP networking operations.)  Oracle 10g is available in the open labs at the SCC Oviedo and Sanford campuses if you do not have access to the hardware and software mentioned above. 

Students occasionally run into hardware or software problems at home or work that impact their ability to complete assignments. These hardware and or software problems are your responsibility. Do not expect extra time to complete assignments. I will work with you as best I can but the solution may be for you to come to the SCC campus and complete your assignments on PCs in the open labs.

You must have everything in place the first day of class. This entire course will be conducted on-line. Good luck and again, I very much look forward to working with you in this course.