Diablo Valley College, Computer Science Department, COMSC 155H

Diablo Valley College
Computer Science Department
COMSC 155H: XML (eXtensible Markup Language), Section 8525

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces eXtensible Markup Language (XML) Documents. Students will learn the difference between HTML and XML and learn how to use XML in Java applications. The major topic areas are syntax, formatting, and programming.

INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Robert D. Burns, rburns@dvc.edu
Office: FO-F227, (925) 685-1230 x2610
Office Hours: MW: 2:30-4PM,
TTh: 12-12:30, 3:30-4PM

TOPICS COVERED:
SGML, HTML, and XML
XML Documents
XML Syntax
DTDs and Schemas
CSS and XSL
Namespaces
Links in XML
XSL Style Sheets
XML Programming
DOM and SAX

MEETING DATES AND TIMES:
Oct 20th through Dec 8th
M 4:00-7:00PM, L-149 Lab
M 7:00-9:50PM, L-143 Lecture
Holiday: Nov 10th
Final Exam: Dec 15th, 7PM

GRADING:	Lab Exercises (7):	700 points
	Projects (2):	200 points
	Final Exam:	100 points

FINAL GRADE: Strictly applied
A	900-1000 points	B	800-899 points
C	700-799 points	D	600-699 points
F	0-599 points

TEXT AND SUPPLIES:
The Web Wizard's Guide to XML by Hughes (required) $26
XML Step by Step, 2nd Ed. by Young (required) $40
www online references (see links in course outline)
Class website, http://comsc.dvc.edu/rburns
Any Text Editor (right-click to download Pad 2.7 or JNotePad)
XML Reference Card (click to download and print)
XSLT Reference Card (click to download and print)

CLASS POLICY:

	Expect to spend about 12 hours per week on this course: 3 in lecture, 3 in lab, and 6 outside of class.
	Lab assignments will be posted every Saturday, one week before their Sunday due dates.
	All assignments are due at midnight of the evening of the due date indicated on the course outline. Completed lab work must be posted to the Student File Area of the COMSC server for credit.
	For questions on lab assignments, use the online discussion group. Students may post and reply to questions in order to help eachother. The instructor monitors the discussions and answers questions when appropriate. Use this method so that all students benefit from questions, answers, and clarifications.
	Contact the instructor in person in lab, lecture, or office hour, or by email. You can use the phone during office hours -- if you leave a voice message, calls will most likely not be returned.
	Half-credit for late assignments up to one week late. No credit thereafter. Late work will be accepted until noon on Dec 15th.
	No credit will be given for work that is not original. Points awarded for lab work that is later found to be not original will be withdrawn. Points awarded for work that is deleted from the Student File Area before grades are assigned at the end of the semester will be withdrawn.
	Lecture classes start at 7:00PM sharp. Do not trust classroom clocks -- check the time at http://www.time.gov/