CSC 8408 e-Commerce Technology and Web-Database Integration

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

Underlying the growing field of e-commerce, there are a number of technicalities, protocols, and languages required to make it all work. For example: encryption, authentication, key-exchange protocols, certificates and protocols for their distribution. This course will address these issues. Underlying many web-sites, small and large, is the necessary technology of providing a web interface to databases. There are many systems available for developing web-sites which take the approach that a database is the kernel around which a collection of scripts, views and forms make things happen. In this course, the architecture of such systems is explored and students are provided with the opportunity to undertake database-oriented web development.

SYNOPSIS:

Students will study the techniques for constructing and maintaining an e-commerce site, including the construction of a secure web-server, security management, electronic transaction processing, and web-display of and access to information in a database. This course is normally offered only in even years.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students should:

1. understand what is involved in starting up and operating and internet business/e-commerce;
2. have basic knowledge of what is involved in designing, maintaining and administrating a web-based e-commerce site;
3. understand the issues surrounding privacy and security;
4. know how to use elementary cryptographic techniques, and understand their strengths and weaknesses for data authentication and integrity and digital signatures;
5. be able to construct an e-commerce server, including a secure web-site, with funds transfer capabilities, and a database of products and transactions;
6. be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the protocols and techniques in the e-commerce system development.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Online papers/study materials to be linked from the course home page.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assignment
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES