Trevor Barnett
Preliminary Masters Project Plan (Subject to Change)
Server-based Testing 

Abstract: 
	Develop a centralized, server based testing and record-keeping 
	system to facilitate a medical terminology course offered by 
	the Classics department.  Currently, students of the course use a 
	floppy disk that comes with the book.  The students must buy the 
	book and progress through all the required quizzes until the program 
	generates a password as proof that they have completed the material.  
	This program was written in MS-DOS and is very troublesome for the 
	teachers and students.  Furthermore, the Classics department would 
	like to begin using a new book with updated material that lacks 
	computer based assistance.  This project is intended to supply the 
	Classics department at UK, and other universities that use the 
	book, with an improved way of conducting the class.  

I.  Requirements
  a) Hardware
    1. Linux Server with web-hosting capabilities
  b) Language Support Requirements
    1. Perl 
    2. MySQL
    3. HTML

II.  Project Implementation
  a) HTML Pages
    1. Develop HTML pages to display to all users (logged in or otherwise)
    2. Develop HTML pages for logged in students
    3. Develop HTML pages for logged in administrator
  b) Perl Scripts
    1. Write perl scripts to display the testing system and manipulate 
       test information
    2. Create a message board for students using perl scripts
    3. Create an authentication system for logging in 
    4. Develop perl scripts that can manipulate the database using DBI
  c) Database
    1. Develop a MySQL database that stores information from students and 
       administrators

III.  Extra Features
  a) Student Feedback
    1. The system will generate responses in the form of hints to the 
       student based on the mistakes that they make.  For example, if the 
       students misses the word oncology, the system reminds him that 
       -ology means the study of something.
  b) Advanced Administrator Options
    1. Create an administrator system that allows the course instructor to 
       view progress and relay help to the students based on this 
       information.
