Java interface for Mysql DB

I am currently enrolled in a Database course that requires the creation of a simple database. I believe that my teacher expects us to use php as an interface between the database. He left the end-user interface fairly open. I was wondering what the creation of a Java interface would entail. Does Java use php to interact with the database?? I am familiar with basic Java constructs. I know that the swing library is a way of easily creating a user interface. Is there a way to tie all of this together to create this interface? Any help is appreciated. Even pointing me in the direction of a tutorial would be of much help.

Are you familiar with how to use JDBC? If not, it allows you to create SQL queries directly in java code. See Trail: JDBC(TM) Database Access (The Java™ Tutorials)

No, I have no knowledge of this API. I'm looking into it now. I feel like I should know more about this. Does this require any extra server side software packages? If so I will probably be required to scrap the idea because I doubt I can get the systems workers to deploy any extra software for just one student. So for the most part SQL queries are called through this API?

Do you have to use PHP?
What is the current architecture?
You mention server-side software, so is that a web server, or simply the database on the network?

Well I am not sure if I am restricted to PHP. I plan on asking the professor in class tomorrow. I want to get his feed back. I believe there is a server on campus that we can host a site for. The two interfaces that my professor mentioned was a web interface or a terminal interface(using PHP). I believe that the server is an Apache server. I access the database through an SSH connection to the linux server running on campus. From there I can use the mysql terminal interface. We can also use PHPmyadmin.

So for the most part I just need to create an end-user interface. I felt like Java would be the best because I am more accustom to it. I also want a more intuitive interface. Seeing as I am not well versed in web programming, I feel that a webpage is out of the question.

Until you get clarification of what you are targhetting it's going to be difficult to provide any pointers.