Office: K-112
Phone: 508-678-2811
Course Description (from catalog):
This course covers
database design theory and practice. Students learn to analyze a
situation and use solid database design principles to develop a
database solution. The concepts of the relational database model,
entity-relationship diagrams, data structure and data integrity are
covered. The student is introduced to current topics in database
design and development.
Course Objectives:
The
objectives of this course are to develop a solid understanding of the
processes and methods involved in designing a strong database and to
develop the skills necessary to analyze a situation and develop an
appropriate database solution:
Understand the concepts and theories of database design and the data model
Understand the concepts of normalization and relational database design
Understand the use of a variety of database tools
Understand data structure and data integrity
Develop the ability to analyze a problem and design a database solution
Texts:
Required:
Beginning Database Design from Novice to Professional second edition
Clare Churcher
TechnologyMaterial to be Covered: The order in the syllabus does not necessary reflect the order that will used in the course. Please use the weekly schedule sheet to follow the assigned topics.
Database Concepts
File Systems and Databases
Alternative approaches
Relation Database Model
Design objectives
Design Process
Analyzing the problem
Analyzing the data
Entity Relationship (E-R) Modeling
Normalization of Database Tables
Data Relationships
1-1, 1-M, M-M
Primary and foreign keys
Data
Integrity of data
Other concepts
Management Systems
Object-Oriented Databases
Data Warehousing
Data Mining
Databases in Electronic Commerce
Web Database
Requirements and Grading: The student will be
expected to complete all assigned work. In addition there will be a
final exam.
A schedule of assignments, projects, exams, quizzes
etc. will be posted on the Web site. Students should check on a
regular basis.
Grading percents are:
80% Homework, programs, code and quizzes
10% Class participation, responsibility about work, keeping up to date, quality of work, adding extras that are above and beyond, showing initiative, figuring out problems etc.
10% Final
Evaluation:Assignments, programs and exams
are graded using either number grades or letter grades based on the
following (A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=below 60). The
student's grade for the course will use the same scale and will be
based on the percentages explained in the grading section. Plus and
minus grades will be given.
Many of the assignments in this class
are open ended - the grading will be based on how well the project
demonstrates mastery of the material. Students who do a minimum of
work will be graded accordingly. Resubmission is allowed on
open-ended projects to improve grades.
Note: Non open-ended
assignments that are completed accurately, with no errors, according
to the parameters of the assignment will be graded as A. To achieve
an A+, students must have done sufficient extra work in design or
implementation that makes the assignment standout. In doing
assignments, students must do their own work. Relying too heavily on
my examples or working too closely with someone else will be
penalized.
Attendance:The student is allowed to cut six one
hour classes.
Interaction Plan: This
is an asynchronous course with synchronous components if you decide
to attend classes. Communication includes email , blog, IM including
voice, and online office hours and help sessions. Other methods
of online communications may also be used. In addition open lab
help session are scheduled and students may request in person
meetings. Students must communicate with the instructor at
least once a week via email and must turn in homework and participate
in online communication to be successful.
Methodology: This
course is offered as an in-class course or as a Distance Learning,
Web based course. For in-class students, it is a traditional lecture
based class with supplementary information available on the Web. Web
based students will be relying on the information at the Web site for
the information being presented in class. Web based students are
invited to attend class at any time if they feel that hearing a
lecture would be valuable. All students should read the assigned
notes, study the presentations available and avail themselves of
other resources in mastering the course material. In addition,
students will be working independently on projects designed to give
them additional computer skills and practical experience in analyzing
and solving problems. When appropriate, exercises and problem solving
techniques are used.
This SYLLABUS is not to be construed as a
CONTRACT in any way, shape, manner or form. This SYLLABUS is a
SUGGESTED course OUTLINE and will be GENERALLY followed, subject to
change according to the INSTRUCTOR'S discretion and needs. Academic
FLEXIBILITY is important!
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