Data Base Management Systems

MIS 328 & 528 Syllabus

Contents

[Instructor | Text | Prerequisites | Overview of Course | Grades ]
[Outline and Course Schedule]
[Course Policy | Group Work on Homework | Late Homework |
Makeup Exams | Class Preparation | Students with Disabilities ]

Instructor

Texts

McFadden, Hoffer, & Prescott, Modern Database Management, 1999.

Baldwin, Dirk & Paradice, David, Applications Development in Microsoft Access 2000.

Overview of Course

A database is a fundamental component of an information system. Database Management Systems (DBMSs) support the development and use of databases by facilitating data insertion, update, retrieval and integrity. Successful MIS professionals must know how to design a sound database. In addition, they must know how to retrieve and update data through a DBMS. This course explores the following topics: DBMS architectures, data modeling, database normalization, relational algebra, SQL, client/server systems, object-oriented databases, data warehouses, and multiple user environments. The student will receive hands-on experience with several commercial DBMSs and develop a database application.

Course Objectives

Students in MIS 328 and 528 will be able to:

1. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of DBMSs, in general, and alternative DBMS architectures, in particular.
2. Specify a database model (e.g., ER model, relational model, object model) given a description of the information system needs of an organization.
3. Specify a database model so that it is consistent with 4^th normal form.
4. Use relational algebra to specify database queries.
5. Use SQL to specify a database schema, and retrieve and update data.
6. Develop a business information system that uses a DBMS.

Learning Assessment

All six objectives above will be assessed through a midterm and final exam. Objectives two through four will also be learned and assessed through the use of pen/pencil (i.e., not using the computer) homework. The fifth objective will be learned and assessed through homework that requires the use of a commercial DBMS (i.e., Access and DB2 or Oracle). Objective six will be accomplished and assessed by developing a business information system with Microsoft Access.

Grading Policy

Undergraduates (MIS 328): Grades are assigned as follows: 93-100% A, 90-92% A-, 87-89% B+, 83-86% B, 80-82% B-, 77-79% C+, 73-76% C, 70-73% C-, 60-69% D, less than 60% F. Final grades are based on the following percentages: Midterm 30%, Final 30%, Homework 35%, Class Participation 5%.

Graduates (MIS 528): Grades are assigned as follows: 93-100% A, 90-92% A-, 87-89% B+, 83-86% B, 80-82% B-, 77-79% C+, 73-76% C, 70-73% C-, less than 70% F. Final grades are based on the following percentages: Midterm 25%, Final 25%, Homework 35%, Paper 10%, Class Participation 5%.

Outline and Course Schedule

The following outline and schedule may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.

Overview of DBMS

Relational Database Querying and Updating

Database Application Development (Microsoft Access)

Logical Database Design

Creating more advanced DB Applications with Visual Basic for Applications

Physical Database Design

Multiple User Considerations

Other Database Models

Dec. 22. Final Exam 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Take home part posted here.
Old Exam Old Exam Answer

Optional Project

Students are encouraged to develop real world database applications. Completion (or significant progress toward completion) of a real world database project can raise your final letter grade up to 2/3's of a grade (e.g., From a B to an A-, from a B+ to an A). The project requires a team (2 - 4 members) to develop a database application. The application should be delivered to a user. The team can use PowerBuilder, Access, Visual Basic, or other approved "client/server like" development tools. The system should include a well-organized database supported by any approved DBMS (e.g., Oracle, FoxPro, Access). The system should also provide an end user with a friendly user interface. The written project should include a cover page, table of contents, an overview of the application, end-user documentation, the database schema, portions of the project code, and system documentation. You should also turn in the application. Projects will be judged based on the quality of the database design, the quality of the system design, system functionality, user friendliness, quality of end user documentation, and quality of the system documentation.

Graduate Student Paper and/or Project

Graduate students must write a paper concerning new uses or technologies involving database management systems. Topics for the paper include data warehouses, database marketing, object-oriented database systems, and building database applications for the Internet. As an alternative to the paper, graduate students can develop the real world project described above.

Course Policy

Group Work on Homework Assignments

Students must complete their own homework. Copying homework is not allowed. If help is needed, the student is encouraged to ask the professor or another student. Note there is a fine line between "help" and completing homework for a student. Students should be careful not to cross this line.

Late Homework

Homework must be turned in at the beginning of class. There is a 10% per day penalty for late homework.

Makeup Exams

Makeup exams will be given only when the instructor, prior to the exam, has approved the request to change the exam time. Approval will be given for illness, sickness or death in the family etc.

Class Preparation

Read materials before class. A portion of your final grade is based on class participation.

Disabled Students

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.