TITLE: Database  Dessign And Implementation

Content Outline

Grading Procedures

Text & References

Prerequisites

1. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
   Transition from logical to physical database development; normal forms and the normalization process; physical organization; survey of commercial database systems. The central focus is on complex data modeling and implementation.
2. PURPOSE:
   To provide the student an opportunity to acquire the professional skills required to function in the database environment. These professional skills include a proper understanding of database systems and their difference from applications created using programming languages, determination of user requirements, structuring user requirements and demonstrating how the user requirements are incorporated through sound database design. Microsoft Access 97 will be used to demonstrate implementation of concepts learned in class.
3. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
   After completing this course you will be able to:
   
   1. Explain the concept of data independence and appreciate its value
   2. Identify "entities" and their inter-relationships
   3. recognize and fix badly designed databases
   4. Explain how "bad" data and "poor" database designs affect data integrity and the end-users
   5. Establish procedures for the computerized collection and processing of data
   6. Extract necessary data (from multiple entities) to meet the decision maker's information needs
   7. Demonstrate a familiarity with the various terms used freely in the database trade press
   8. Use Microsoft Access at the intermediate - expert level and SQL server (novice-intermediate)
   
   
   
4. CONTENT OUTLINE:

All 14 Chapters of the text. Some chapters will not be covered in their entirety


5. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
   Classroom time will usually be spent in lectures and discussion of various topics from the text. Lectures will be supplemented by demonstrations of good and bad database design using appropriate software. During the week you are expected to read the assigned material in preparation for the class (see last page).
   
   I plan on using E-study extensively to communicate with the class after-hours. Your login id is first initial, last name, last 4 digits of student ID (e.g. vraj9999). The initial password is the last 4 digits. Your first task: update your profile (change password, give correct e-mail address etc.)
   
   
6. FIELD, CLINICAL, AND/OR LABORATORY EXPERIENCES:
   Work in the computer labs. Interview users and capture requirements if your class project is “live” (preferred - this is very useful experience).
7. RESOURCES:
   PC lab, Waterfield library & Library in the sixth floor office suite. Software: DOS/Windows platform - Access 2000 and SQL server; UNIX/AIX platform - Oracle or SQL Server, Informix (at MARC).
8. GRADING PROCEDURES:
   
   1. GRADING FACTORS:

      Factor	Final Grade %
      Three Exams	50%
      Computer Assignments	20%
      Chapter review/quizzes	5%
      Class project	20%
      Final	5%

      
      
   2. GRADING SCALE:

      Average		Grade
      90 or above		A
      80 - 89%		B
      70 - 79%		C
      60 - 69%		D
      Below 60%		E

      
      
   3. GRADING NOTE:
      Please do not assume that completion of work to be graded warrants an "A". This can only be achieved by submitting neat, well-organized, and tidy work. Errors in content, poor grammar and/or spelling, and shoddy work overall will result in lower grades. I feel strongly about good writing habits. I've been embarrassed by my students' failure to distinguish between "are" and "our", "there" and "their", "moral" and "morale" “Could of” and “could have” and many more. Notice that the spell-checker would also have missed those. So, PROOF-READ!
      
      
   4. EXAMS:
      There will be TWO exams during the semester. Exams will be based on material covered in class and assigned reading material. Not all assigned reading material will be covered in class; this does not imply that they will not be included in exams. Exams are a combination of multiple choice, short answer and design exercises. Exams are graded on content, neatness, grammar and spelling - not necessarily in that order. You get to drop one exam score.
      
      
   5. ASSIGNMENTS/QUIZZES:
      I have designed several assignments specifically to expose you to common elements of any database system. They increase steadily in complexity. Failure to complete these will cause great frustration towards the end of the semester when you are working on the class project. I will also administer several unannounced quizzes. There will NOT be any make-up quizzes. The lowest score will be dropped. For computer assignments, you may team up with one other person. You are encouraged to do the assignments in whichever platform you wish to develop your strengths. However, please note that my assistance will be limited to the DOS/Windows platform. This semester you will have an opportunity to interact with SQL-server (a "real" database!).
      
      
   6. CHAPTER REVIEW/QUIZZES:
      This is new for this semester. I plan on conducting several online quizzes using e-study. These will be available for a limited time after a chapter is completed. The goal is to help you prepare for the exams. It is important that you (1) provide the correct e-mail address (e-study center) and (2) make sure that your mail box is not filled to capacity - you can get a free yahoo account with 6MB.
      
      
   7. CLASS PROJECT:
      You will plan and implement a Database application using a database management system of your choice. This activity must be done individually. That's the only way I can help develop your database design and implementation skills. The result is a complete application with well-designed user-interfaces and documentation. A separate hand-out will be provided later.
      
      
   8. LATE WORK:
      Assignments/Projects are due at the beginning of class on the specified date. I strongly discourage late assignments. There is an automatic deduction of 10% per day late. For instance, if an assignment was due on the 18th and you brought it in on the 18th after class it is considered a day late; you might as well bring it on the 19th. On the 20th, you would have already reduced your score by 20%.
      
      
   9. FINAL:
      This is worth 5% of your overall grade. The questions will be drawn from selected chapters to be announced in class. This is optional. If you are satisfied with the grade you've earned so far, you may skip the final.
      
      
   10. GRADING SCALE CHANGES:
       The grading scale may be adjusted if the class average is either very high or very low. No additional work will be accepted for extra credit or grade improvement.
   
   
   
   11. MISSED EXAMS: You are strongly discouraged from missing any exam. If circumstances prevent you from taking the exam(s) at the scheduled time, you must take a comprehensive exam on the last day of class. Failure to do so will result in a zero for the exam.
       
       
   12. LATE WORK:
       Assignments/Projects are due at the beginning of class on the specified date. I strongly discourage late submissions. There is an automatic deduction of 10% per day (or part thereof) late. For instance, if an assignment was due on the 18th and you brought it in on the 18th after class it is considered a day late; you might as well bring it on the 19th. On the 20th, you would have already reduced your score by 20%. Make sure your submission is in BEFORE 4 p.m. and have it initialed by the secretary or student workers present at the time. Assignments turned in on Friday after 4 p.m. will automatically be counted as a Monday submission with an additional 3-day penalty for the weekend.
       
       
   13. MISCELLANEOUS:
       Most assigned work will be graded and returned within one week of submission. If you disagree with the score, you have ONE WEEK to bring it to my attention. After that period, I cannot review/regrade your work.

9. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
   Attendance in this class is discretionary. You have paid for the privilege of attending. It is expected that your comprehension and performance will be enhanced by regular class attendance. There is a direct relationship between excessive absences and poor grades. You are responsible for all material missed due to class absences.
10. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
    The College of Business and Public Affairs has its policy posted in every classroom. Please read. This is not a trivial matter. The most severe sanctions will be sought when such behavior is detected.
11. TEXT AND REFERENCES:
    
    1. (Required)Modern Database Management by McFadden, Hoffer and Prescott, Fifth Edition. Publisher: Prentice Hall Business Publishing1999. (ISBN: 0-8053-6054-9)
    2. (Reference-strongly recommended)Mastering MS-Access 2000 Development by Alison Balter, SAMS publishing (ISBN:0-672-31484-3)

12. PREREQUISITES:
    Knowledge of any high level language or consent of instructor.