The purpose of this course is to enhance your knowledge of database design, creation, and implementation. This course combines conceptual knowledge of database management systems (DBMS) in business with practical, hands-on skills using Microsoft's SQL Server DBMS.
At the end of this course you will know or be able to do the following:
There are many topics related to DBMS that we will not discuss in this class. For example, at the end of this course, you will NOT be able to:
Hoffer, Jeffrey A., et al. Modern Database Management.
Either of these editions will work for this class:
Syverson, Bryan; Murach, Joel. SQL Server 2008 for Developers,
Mike Murach & Associates, 2008, ISBN: 978-1-890774-51-6.
I expect that you will try and learn the material from class sessions and the textbooks. However, if you need help with the class material, please contact me during my office hours in AB401K:
Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30-11AM or 5:30-6:30PM.
Also feel free to set up a meeting with me via email.
You may also contact my graduate assistant (Tim Reed) for help with this class. Here are the days/times he is available to help you in AB320:
MW: 4:00-6:00PM
We will use Microsoft SQL Server database management system
(DBMS) to learn SQL, implement databases, and practice some basic
database administration tasks. SQL Server 2008 is available in
the COBA computing labs and from home using remote desktop connection.
SQL Server provides a number of tools that make it easier to manage
the database environment. I prefer that you minimize the use of
these tools. The purpose of using SQL as our only vehicle for
communicating with the DBMS and avoiding "easy" tools
is: (1) to learn SQL; (2) to better understand the commands that
are frequently "hidden" by the use of wizards; and (3)
to learn the basic similarities of all relational database management
systems.
We will use Microsoft Visio to create and maintain data models.
Visio is available in the COBA computer labs and as a free download
for use at home.
The prerequisites for this course are IS 101, 201, 301, 350 (Intro. to Computer Systems Development), and 365 (Business Process Management)). The presentation of these prerequisites means you:
If you do not have the skills listed above, or you have not
taken the required prerequisites for this class, please drop this
class and enroll in the prerequisites.
Your grade will be determined using the following point distribution for the course deliverables:
| 150 Points | ERD Assignments |
15% |
| 225 Points | SQL Assignments |
22.5% |
| 225 Points | Design & Implementation Project |
22.5% |
| 100 Points | First Exam |
10% |
| 150 Points | Second Exam |
15% |
| 150 Points | Third Exam |
15% |
Your final grade for the class will be based on the percentage of total points you have earned for all work completed during the semester. The final grade will not be rounded. The grade value assigned to each given percentage range is shown below:
| A | 91% and Above | C | 71% - 76% |
| A- | 90% | C- | 70% |
| B+ | 87% - 89% | D+ | 67% - 69% |
| B | 81% - 86% | D | 61% - 66% |
| B- | 80% | D- | 60% |
| C+ | 77% - 79% | F | Below 60% |
There are two primary graded components of the course: Work
that you do outside of class (assignments and project) and exams.
The work you do outside of class may be done individually, or
part of a team. The exams are done individually in class. These
graded components require you to use skills and knowledge learned
in your previous classes as well as skills and knowledge from
this class. These components involve designing, building, and
implementing databases to satisfy business application problems.
You may have to learn about a specific business application domain,
such as some aspect of accounting, to be able to complete the
assignments and project.
The SQL and
ERD assignments help you learn the basics about
how to design small databases and program SQL. You may work alone
or part of a team. No more than three people are allowed to work
together as a team on these assignments. If you work as part of
a team, the team turns in a single set of deliverables for the
team.
Design and
Implementation Project help you learn about database
design, ERD modeling, physical database design and the implementation
of a relatively extensive database. This project requires you
to create a logical design, produce a physical design for the
database, create a prototype of the database using SQL Server,
create a robust test dataset and write SQL queries. To receive
ongoing feedback, you will submit it for grading in three separate
parts. You may work as part of a team for the project. Teams may
have a maximum of 3 people. I recommend that you work in a team,
but you may work alone on the project, if you prefer. If you work
as part of a team, the team turns in a single set of deliverables
for the team.
There will be three exams given during the semester.
The exams cover material gathered from your readings, projects,
and class lectures. The first exam emphasizes database modeling,
the second exam focuses on the SQL programming language, while
the third exam is comprehensive and covers all the material in
the class.
The exams are composed of multiple choice, programming, and database
design questions. You may bring your SQL book to all exams. You
may bring a page of notes (8.5" x 11") to the exams.
It is OK to write on both sides of the page. It is OK to type
the notes. It is OK to copy material and include it on the notes.
It is OK to use a small font size. It is OK to hand write the
notes. It is OK to include absolutely anything you want to include
on your notes.
Learning is a collaborative
effort.
The approach used for this course takes the view that the instructor and students work in a collaborative effort.
It is my responsibility to: Establish a framework and put together the materials we use to learn about this subject; create challenging projects; provide knowledge about the topic; present the material in a way understandable to students; provide guidance for database design and implementation activities; and give timely feedback concerning my opinion of your course deliverables.
It is your responsibility to work within the course framework and learn how to design and implement databases. I expect you to ask questions and communicate with me and your fellow class members via email or in the classroom. I expect you to read your texts, complete the projects, and arrive in class prepared to learn.
If you feel you are not learning the material, then it is up to you to take steps to change that situation. I am available for assistance, but it is up to you to make the overture and ask for help. Please do not struggle for hours with an issue that could be answered quickly by myself or by another member of the class. Send email to the class, ask questions in class, visit me during my office hours, make an appointment to see me. Take an active role in your education.
In summary, we are both active participants in the learning process.
You are responsible for completing
all assignments on time. 
Assignments are due during the beginning ten minutes of class on the assigned day. No late assignments will be accepted without prior approval from the instructor. Do not skip class and turn in your assignment after class; I will not accept the assignment.
I realize that emergencies do happen and you may be unable to turn in an assignment on time, or take an exam on the scheduled day. Emergencies, however, are situations that are out of your control such as illness, death, or an accident. Please inform me as soon as possible when an emergency occurs. I have an answering machine in my office for messages, and email is usually available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I do not consider a scheduling conflict, such as other course work or job-related work, to be an emergency. I am happy to accept assignments early, or allow you to take an exam on an earlier date, if that will help resolve a scheduling conflict. I am not happy to delay an exam or an assignment because of a personal scheduling conflict.In addition to the dates your assignments are due, there are a few other important university-related dates you should note:
Sep. 02, 2009 Last day to add a class. Last day to change from audit to credit. Last day to get a refund if dropping an individual class. Oct. 16, 2009 Last day to drop a class. (No refund, of course.) Last date to change from credit to audit. The administration of this university has made it very difficult to withdraw from a course after the last date to drop a class as shown above. Note this date on your calendar and decide whether or not you wish to remain in this class by that date.
Give yourself enough time to
learn the course material.
Most of us "do more than one thing" in our lives. For example, we go to school, are employed, have relationships, entertain ourselves, take care of others, etc. Frequently, it is difficult to balance the demands of all our required (and not required…) activities. Since employment and education are two time-consuming activities for most students in the college, COBA faculty recommend the following maximum numbers of credits and work hours in order to effectively balance education and employment:
Max. # of Credits Max. Work Hours 15 Credits 10 Hours 12 Credits 20 Hours 9 Credits 30 Hours 6 Credits 40 Hours
A grade of "incomplete"
is given only in emergencies.
The following paragraph is repeated from the UNR 2009-2010 general catalog:
An "I" is given when a student is performing passing work, but for some uncontrollable reason is unable to complete the course requirements during the instructional period. Non-attendance, poor performance or requests to repeat the course are unacceptable reasons for issuance of the "I" mark.
You are responsible for creating
a "team" rather than just working in a group.
It is your choice whether you work alone or part of a team for the assignments and projects in this class. You may choose your own team members. All team members receive the same grade for deliverables; I do not adjust the grade if a team member performs very well and other team members simply do nothing. Thus, you are responsible for creating an effective "team" environment. This includes selecting a team leader, knowing each other's goals for work in the class, developing work priorities, producing individual milestones, having a backup plan, and controlling team behavior.
If necessary, you can "fire" a teammate and/or "hire" a new teammate. To "fire" a teammate, it must happen at the start of a new assignment cycle; you cannot "fire" a teammate the day before an assignment is due. You must send the person an email noting that they have been removed from the team, and cc: me as well as the rest of the team. If you "hire" a new teammate, you must follow the same process: at the start of a new assignment cycle send the person an email and cc: me as well as each member of the rest of the team. I recommend that you avoid choosing teammates purely because they are friends. Instead, choose teammates who have similar goals for this class (grade, level of learning), who can meet with you either face-to-face or virtually, who are reliable, and who have skills that complement your own.
Being polite is a survival skill.
Civilized people refer to the rules of correct behavior as "being polite." The rules of correct behavior can differ depending upon the people and the situation. I recommend that you learn what it takes to "be polite" in any group of people with which you interact. Some of the rules of correct behavior for this class are:
Don't cheat. Cheating includes plagiarism, fraud and other forms of academic dishonesty. Examples of cheating include: If you give your work to another student to copy; if you give your work to another student to reference, and that student turns in the work as his/her own; if you take the work of another student and turn it in as your own; if you use the work of a student who did the same (or a similar) project a prior semester and turn it in as your own; and/or if you work with another person outside your group and you both turn in the same results. These examples are not all encompassing, so try and avoid even the look of impropriety with your assignments. Cheating will result in an "F" for an assignment, or failure in the class, depending on the infraction. All incidences of cheating will be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs
Don't chat. If you have a question, or want to present your opinion about an issue under scrutiny, say it loud enough for the class to hear.
Don't wander in and out of class. Don't leave during a class session unless you really need to leave. I assume that if you really need to leave class that it is not a temporary situation. For example, if you have an appointment that you absolutely MUST go to and need to leave class early, I will understand. I also understand that you might become ill during a class and have to leave. What I don't understand is when you constantly walk in and out of class.
Be lively. I think database topics are exciting and hope you will, too. If you stay awake, ask questions and answer my questions chances are you will learn more in the class. It is impolite to fall asleep in class.
Don't be late. Class meeting times are relatively short - we have 2.5 hours a week for 14 weeks to review all required material. Please be on time for class so that we can make full use of our time without interruptions.
Tell me when you are going to leave early. If you must leave a class early, and you can anticipate that need in advance, please tell me when you will be leaving.
Don't eat large and/or noisy food. Please don't bring an entire meal to eat during class, but drinks and small quantities of quiet snacks are OK.
Manage your devices. Please make sure that all devices capable of making sounds are silent. Don't answer a cell phone during class. If you absolutely MUST answer the phone (example: your spouse is giving birth…), then take the call outside. Keep texting to a minimum. If you use a computer during class, please use it for class-related work. Don't surf, do Facebook, watch movies, watch football, or play games (etc., etc., etc...).
Don't complain about your grade in class. I am happy to discuss any of your grades received on any of your assignments at any time during my office hours. You can also make an appointment, call me, or send email to discuss a grade. I prefer not to take the small amount of time allotted to the class as a whole to discuss individual grades, or to make appointments to discuss individual grades. Talk to me about it outside of class.
You are responsible for knowing
material covered in class.
I will be lecturing about material that is not in your text and I expect you to know this material for your exams. Please do not ask me whether you missed anything "important" when you miss a class. I believe that what we do in class is important, and I consider the person who asks this question to be rude (impolite). If you miss a class, it is up to you to find a classmate who will provide you with notes of the class material.
Course Schedule
Date Discussion Topic Related Text Assignment Due 08-25 Introduction to Database Management Systems (DBMS) and database design DB:Chapters 1, 2 na 08-27 Introduction to Database Design, the Relational Model, and ERDs DB: Chapter 2
SQL: Chapter 1
Database Design & Relational Model PresentationSign up for the class email listserv 09-01 Database Design - ERDs DB: Appendix A, Chapter 3
SQL: Chapter 9Declare team via email 09-03 Database Design - ERDs
Microsoft Visio Demonstration (ERDs only)
DB: Chapters 3, 4 ERD #1: 15% 09-08 Database Design - Developing models DB: Chapters 3, 4
ERD #2: 25% 09-10 Database Design - Developing models DB: Chapters 3, 4, new handout
ERD #3: 25% 09-15 Database Design - Developing models DB: Chapters 3, 4 prior handouts ERD #4: 35% 09-17 First Exam DB: Chapters 1-4, Appendix A, Handouts
na 09-22 SQL: Database creation and update
SQL: Introduction to Queries
SQL: Chapters 1, 10
na 09-24 SQL: Database creation and update practice SQL: Chapters 2, 10
DB: Chapter 7Creating Readable output via MSAccess
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
na 09-29 SQL: All about queries SQL: Chapters 3, 8
DB: Chapter 7SQL #1: 15% 10-01 SQL: How to summarize data and introducing really simple sub-queries SQL: Chapters 5, 8
SQL Aggregate/Group Functions Lab
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208na 10-06 SQL: Joining tables SQL: Chapter 4
SQL #2: 20% 10-08 SQL: Joining tables and more sub-queries SQL: Chapters 4, 6
Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
na 10-13 SQL: Joining tables and harder sub-queries SQL: Chapters 4, 6
DB: Chapter 8Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
na 10-15 SQL: Introduction to views and Complex queries SQL: Chapter 12
DB: Chapter 8Meet in Computer Lab: AB208
SQL #3: 30% 10-20 Complex queries SQL: Chapter 12 na 10-22 SQL: Practice for Exam SQL: Chapters 3-8, 12
DB: Chapters 7, 8na 10-27 Second Exam DB: Chapters 1-2, 7-8
SQL: Chapters 1-10, 12na 10-29 Database design - normalization DB: Chapter 5
SQL #4: 35% 11-03 Database design - normalization DB: Chapter 5
SQL: Chapter 9na 11-05 Database design - normalization DB: Chapter 5
SQL: Chapter 9na 11-10 Database design - normalization DB: Chapter 5
SQL: Chapter 9na 11-12 Developing a robust test dataset
Physical Database DesignDB: Chapter 6
Appendix CDesign & Imp Project - Part 1
(25% of the total project grade)11-17 Physical Database Design DB: Chapter 8 na 11-19 Data Warehousing DB: Chapter 11
na 11-24 Data Quality and Integration DB9: Chapter 12 na 11-26 Holiday: Thanksgiving na na 12-01 Database Administration DB8: Chapter 12
DB9: Chapter 13na 12-03 Database Administration DB8: Chapter 12
DB9: Chapter 13na 12-08 Review Comprehensive Design and Imp. Project - Part 2
(75% of the total project grade)12-10 Third Exam (4:30-6:30PM) Comprehensive na Since there are two texts for the class, and one of the texts could be one of two editions, the notation "DB:" is used to mean either edition of Modern Database Management, "DB8:" is used for Modern Database Management Eighth Edition, "DB9:" is used for Modern Database Management Ninth Edition, and "SQL:" is used to denote SQL Server 2008 for Developers. This schedule is subject to change based on the progression of the class.
Copyright, Dana Edberg, 2009. All materials available on this website are included in the copyright. Do not copy, use or distribute the materials on this website without the written permission of the author.
