TEXTBOOK

"Database Systems: A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation, and Management" by Thomas Connolly and Carolyn Begg, Addison Wesley, Fifth edition. ISBN-13: 978-0-321-52306-8.

COURSE OUTLINE

This course introduces relational database management systems including the database environment, the relational model, relational languages (QBE and SQL), techniques and methodologies of database analysis and design. Current micro computer DBMS software will be reviewed and compared with other popular software on the market. The database analysis and design techniques will be discussed for more practical applications. A DBMS project will be an important part of this course. Prerequisites: INFO 102. Three credits.

In class, ACCESS will be used as the principal relational DBMS. There will be assignments on Access and Oracle SQL. The DBMS project will be on Access and one of about 17 DBMS (including Oracle) that are available for use by all students. Students can also use other DBMS packages, if they choose. The class will be divided into teams of 2-3 members and each team will research a DBMS and will make a presentation in class about this software. The team project is due on the day of the class presentation of the project. This project will count for 35 percent of the grade for the course.

 Course Contents

• Introduction to Databases
• Database Environment
• Entity-Relationship Modeling
• Enhanced Entity-Relationship Modeling
• The Relational Model
• Relational Algebra (Introduction)
• Normalization
• SQL: Data Manipulation
• SQL : Data Definition
• Query-By-Example
• Commercial DBMS: Access and Oracle
• Database Planning, Design, and Administration
• Fact-Finding Techniques (Introduction)
• Methodology: Conceptual, Logical, and Physical Database Design

GRADING
Tests (Quiz 1 and Quiz 2)                                              :  35%
Assignments                                                                   :  10%
Project                                                                           :  35%  (Group 25%, Individual 10%)
Final Exam:                                                                     :  20%