TO:  Students Enrolled in TEC 5363 Database Security

First, I would like to welcome you to our course TEC 5363 Database Security.  This online environment will support active participation for student learning and will maintain the same academic expectations and rigor as resident classes. 

The following information are provided to help you ease into the course for conducive learning. Please read all the sections very carefully.

A. Pre-requisites:

Before enrolling in this course, you should consider the following characteristics essential to taking any on-line course:

1. Have the ability to work independently.
2. Be willing to work hard.
3. Have enough knowledge of email, web, and word processors.
4. Be comfortable using a computer connected to the Internet.
5. Have a high performance PC: Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista, minimum of 512 MB RAM. The computer is able to run Oracle database (Oracle 9i, 10g or 11g)
6. Like any resident class, a student is expected to spend at least 3 hours for every course credit per week. In other words, you are expected to spend at least 9 hours per week for this course (excluding hours spent at Marty's). This is no exception for on-line course.
7. Be able to perform multitasking, for example, to be able to work with your computer assignments while flipping through CNN, ABC and CBS, if you choose to do so.

The following are requirements for accessing the on-line course:

•         Functional web browser, for example, Internet Explorer 6.0 or Firefox.
•         Microsoft Word. (Joy stick is not required for this class.)
•         A computer with Internet connection.
•         Have a reliable Internet service provider.

The following are official course pre-requisites:

1. TEC 5323 Advanced Database Technology, or equivalent (basic understanding on Oracle SQL and SQL script).
2. You need a high performance computer that can run Oracle database Enterprise Edition (9i or 10g).

If you are not able to meet the above basic conditions, please consider dropping this course as soon as possible to make room for other students. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.

B. Textbook:

Reading the text and exercising are essential. Please refer to the course schedule to see the reading assignment every week. Missing dosage is detrimental to your health.

The text book for the course will be mailed to you by Textbook Rental Services for those students not living in Coles County.  A return sticker will be included with the texts for you to return them at the end of the semester.  If you do not have the textbook by the first week of the course, do not panic. Please email me so that we will resolve it as soon as possible.

If you live in Coles county, please contact Textbook Rental Services at 581-7484 for dates and times to pick up your book.

Refer to the syllabus for the exact details about the textbook.

C. Communications:

i. To and From Instructor: All course-related communications shall be done within WebCT/Blackboard mail. I will respond to your email messages as timely as possible, usually within 4800 hours.  However, if you experience technical difficulties, you may contact me immediately via telephone, 217-581-6267.

Note: For graduate students in Technology, questions related to your graduate program should NOT be sent to this account, or vice versa.

ii. Assignment Submission: We will use WebCT/Blackboard to submit all your projects and other assignments. Click here for submission instruction.

iv. Virtual Office: I will use Yahoo Messenger as my virtual office. I will keep my eyes open during my office hours (11:00 - 12:00 PM, Monday through Friday).

If you want to catch me in the virtual office, you need to do the following:

a. Create a Yahoo ID at Yahoo's site.

b. Download Yahoo Messenger from Yahoo site.

c. Launch Yahoo Messenger on your PC or laptop.

d. Add my name in your contact list. My Yahoo ID is: peter_ping_liu. I will then agree with the addition. We are connected.

e. When you see me online, you may invite me to have a conversation with you. The conversation can be in the following mode: text, audio only, video/audio. I have web camera on my desk top computer.

I hope this method will save some long distance phone charges for students who live off campus. It will be valuable if you need any assistance for trouble-shooting your software system.

D. Course Materials and Sites: Fun place to interact with other students.

Web Site: The course information is located at http://www.eiu.edu/~pingliu/tec5363/. It is here that you will find all of your related course materials. The course schedule will tell you what is happening every week. 

WebCT/Blackboard: Course survey, test, discussions, project submission, class mail, and progress report will be located on WebCT/Blackboard, which is the course management tool that you will be using.  You will always be able to check your performance throughout the course by clicking on the View Your Grades icon on the WebCT/Blackboard TEC 5363 Homepage.

Fall 2008: EIU is implementing a new version of WebCT (also known as Blackboard) course management tool. Please note that you and I are leaning at the same time. You will anticipate changes during the semester.

If you have any problems, please contact me as soon as possible so that we can work together in resolving the issue. 

I look forward to meeting all of you on-line.

Sincerely,

Peter Ping Liu, Ph D, PE, OCP, CQE and CSIT Professor

PS: This letter will be posted on Notes section of the course web site. Please review it as your reference.

PPS: Have fun learning.