Database Design and Management

General Learning Goals:   

1. Teambuilding and collaboration to achieve group objectives. Students will work in teams throughout this course both on the team project and on an ad hoc basis as well. There will be one major team project and presentation. Peer and instructor evaluations, as well as project requirements, will be designed to insure that all team members actively participate in activities contributing to overall team grades.   
2. Problem Solving and Decision Making. Various hands on exercises from the textbook will be the primary means by which the students learn the concepts of developing database applications in business. Hands on exercises require students to identify the requested business situation, make any necessary assumptions, assess given data/evidence, design the data model, and implement the database application. These graded hands on are a portion of the overall course grade.
3. Competency in speaking and writing for common business scenarios. It is required that all team members speak during their team presentation and participate in the documentation of the team project. An assessment form will be used during presentations to address the professionalism of individual and group efforts. This form will be provided to students and discussed well in advance of their scheduled presentations. Documentation for the prototype of the database will be expected to contain no grammatical and punctuation errors. 
4. Technology Utilization. Extensive use is made of business application technology throughout the course. Various DBMS software will be demonstrated to, evaluated by, and used by, the students. The DBMS software include Microsoft Access, SQL server express, MySQL and Oracle. Students will also demonstrate their ability to use common business computer applications by utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, and Visio for written assignments and Microsoft PowerPoint for their team presentation. Additionally, a variety of in-class exercises will involve the use of various forms of information technology.   

These general learning goals are among those established by the Dillard College of Business Administration. General learning goals represent the skills that graduates will carry with them into their careers. While assessing student performance in obtaining these general learning goals, the Dillard College is assessing its programs. The assessments will assist us as we improve our curriculum and curriculum delivery. 

Course Specific Learning Goals: After completing this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the conceptual foundation of a relational model and describe the basic relational terminology.
2. Perform basic SQL operations to create, modify, and delete database.
3. Describe the stages of database development and construct E-R data model to represent various kinds of relationships.
4. Translate the E-R data model to database design with the appropriate level of normalization.
5. Understand the need for and importance of database administration: concurrency control, security, and backup and recovery.
6. Understand Web database processing and describe the concepts of XML, ODBC, OLE DB, ADO.NET, ASP, etc.

Grading and Evaluation: Student's performance will be assessed using the following elements.

1.  Exams (3): Each exam will consist of multiple-choice and true/false questions, some short answer, and/or essay questions.  Exams will cover assigned chapters, in-class lectures, and any other assigned readings. Students are responsible for all assigned textbook material, even if it is not directly discussed in class.
2. Team Project:All students will participate in a group project. It is anticipated that the team project should facilitate the operations of a real business or an organization by designing and implementing a prototype of a database application. Details of the project requirements will be provided in additional document. Team formation is on a voluntary basis. The maximum of team size cannot exceed 4 students. The use of a commercial product or shareware will be done in an ethical manner.
3. Workbenches (7): In-class workbenches are conducted for each chapter. Students are required to finish the workbench DURING the class session.
4. Attendance and Participation: Absences will be excused only for approved school trips and serious health issues. I will deduct 1 point for each missing class/workbench session. Further, ad hoc quizzes will be administrated. Only your direct participation in class activities DURING class meeting times counts toward the points!

Points will be allocated using the following scheme. 

WebCT access to Course Content, My Grades, Assignment, Announcement, etc. I will use WebCT as the major communication channel for the class.

Assignments:Assignments are due in class at the beginning of class on the specified due date. There is NO PROVISION for late work on any assignment. Plan and schedule to complete work early.  Having your work completed on schedule is a key to early success in your business career. 

Missed Examination, Quiz, and In-class Exercises Policy: Only students with authorized absences (see University Class Attendance Policy) may make up missed examinations, quizzes (announced and unannounced), and in-class exercises. Arrangements must be made in advance if at all possible. In all cases, the instructor must be contacted no later than the day of the scheduled exam or no make up will be allowed. At the instructor’s discretion, a deduction may be assessed for a late exam.

Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is expected and roll will be taken. Upon a student’s fifth unauthorized absence, that student will be dropped for nonattendance and receive a grade of WF for the course. Participation in class discussion is mandatory and a significant part of the overall class grade. Students must read the assigned material and complete assignments and be prepared to discuss and ask questions relating to assigned material. See the MSU Student Handbook for University Class Attendance Policy.

Syllabus Change Policy

 This syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change. Syllabus changes will be communicated in class or via WebCT.

 Classroom behavior:

• Please come to class on time. Take care of personal business prior to class. I do not expect you to leave and return to class. If you leave the classroom before class ends, take your things with you and I’ll see you next class. 
• Computers will remain off during class except as directed by the instructor. Class time is not for surfing the Web or catching up on email. You will be asked to leave the class if you continually violate this policy.
• Turn off your cell phones and any other electronic devices and put them away. If you have an emergency situation that requires your cell phone to be on, let me know and we’ll work something out.