MBA 780M Database Management
Fall 2004
(Date revised: 11/16/2004 9:41 AM)
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Dr. Robert (Bob) Grenier, CCP, CDP |
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Phone: |
(309) 762-7075 |
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Email: |
Dr.Grenier@mchsi.com |
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Home Page: |
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Office Hours: |
by appointment |
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Class Meets: |
Tuesdays 6: |
This is a hyperlinked syllabus and is subject to change! The current version is available on my web site at the following URL: http://dr.grenier.home.mchsi.com/syl780-2004.html
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Prerequisites:
None
Upon the successful completion of this course, a student should:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of data management issues.
2. Be able to apply conceptual data modeling techniques to define database designs for business information systems.
3. Be able to use query languages to define, maintain and query relational databases. Emphasis will be on the Structured Query Language (SQL) and Query by Example (QBE).
I believe nothing is more valuable than time! Although everybody has the same amount, nobody seems to have enough. Therefore, we must use it wisely and well. You have made a decision to attend this class to learn about Database Management. I respect your decision and I will strive diligently to help you achieve this goal and not waste a moment of your time, but I need your cooperation. Help me by doing your part. Be on time to class and be ready to learn as much as you can in these few hours.
We will be using a blend of theory, class discussions, case studies, and in-class exercises. Class time will be spent in lecture and discussing database usage and design problems. Despite my intentions to provide a clear understanding of these issues in class, real learning will take place when you work through the required and optional assignments. Even though most assignments allow for group work, make sure that you understand how to do all aspects of each assignment. Avoid splitting up work in a way that gives you no opportunity to master the concepts. Since you can be examined on all material, you may not do well unless you follow this advice.
Participation in class discussion is of paramount importance! Be prepared by completing the assigned readings and exercises. I offer you the following suggestions for attaining the maximum benefit from the readings. Each chapter in the text begins with Learning Objectives and concludes with a Summary and a list of Key Terms and Concepts. Some chapters also include an Introduction. Read the learning objectives, introduction (if present), and summary first, and then read the chapter. This practice will make the chapter more understandable on the first reading. When you are done with the chapter, review the key terms and concepts list. If any item is not fully understood, look it up in the glossary at the end of the text.
Richard T. Watson, Data Management: Databases and Organizations Third Edition, 2002. ISBN 0-471-41845-5. A fourth edition has been published.
If you are unfamiliar with Microsoft Access, several relevant titles are available at local bookstores. As an alternative, you could browse the cybershelves at amazon.com.
Supplementary Materials:
I will create Mind Maps for
most of the concepts discussed in the text using Mind Manger 2000 software from
Mindjet. A viewer can be downloaded
from the Mindjet web site at http://www.mindjet.com/us/products/mindmanager_viewers/index.php?s=7.
Database tables used in the text for working
examples and exercises
CD Library Case Tables – this is a word
document containing the various incantations of the tables used in the CD
library case found at the end of chapters 3 though 6 of the Watson text. The
tables can be copied and pasted into Access tables in the datasheet view.
Employee
database might be used later for evaluation
There are numerous online magazines devoted to computer technology and related issues. An extensive set of hypertext links is available on my web site. A couple of links to online database magazines or resources are:
Data Management
Review
Database
Programming & Design Archives
data-warehouse.com
DB2 Magazine
Intelligent Enterprise
Some links to major DBMS software companies are:
IBM
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SQL Server
Oracle
Sybase
We will be using the following software:
Microsoft Access -- a microcomputer-based DBMS with application development and some client/server capabilities. Access 2000 is installed on St Ambrose lab computers.
Software of your choice to draw data models (ERDs, etc.). If you do not have access to such software, I suggest downloading Smart Draw from the Internet http://www.smartdraw.com
Internet email and Blackboard will be used extensively for communication and collaboration. Be sure to check your email regularly each week. Students may submit questions and suggestions via email. I will email answers and responses individually or to the class as appropriate. I will also accept assignments as email attachments of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files. If you do not have an ISP (Internet Service Provider), the University provides all students with accounts.
The Web will be used to access the current course syllabus, other pertinent materials, and for research. The author maintains a web site for the text.
Presentation graphics software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, will be useful for preparing your Research Project presentation.
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Assignment |
Weight |
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Database exercises |
35% |
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Database project |
25% |
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Database project presentation |
10% |
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Midterm exam |
15% |
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Final exam |
15% |
Administrative Considerations:
· Since assignments can be submitted by email, absence from class is not an excuse for late assignments.
· Assignments must be received on the due date before the beginning of class. Late assignments will not be accepted.
· Exams must be taken when scheduled unless other arrangements are made beforehand.
Group vs. Independent
Work:
Database Exercises (except #1) and the Database Design Project are to be done in groups of three (in most cases).
Peer evaluations are required and will be used as input into the grade you receive on these assignments. This is to recognize differences in work among team members as well as motivating all team members to work hard.
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1 5% |
Write a brief (3-5 pages) paper about your organization · DBMS(s) used · DBMS applications · the most important database(s) · largest database (number of tables or number of bytes) · Database Administration function · Use of data modeling · Data dictionary |
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2 5% |
Chapter 3 CD Library Case pp. 87-8 #1-4 |
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3 10% |
Chapter 4 & 5 CD Library Case pp. 105-6 #1, 2, 7 |
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4 5% |
Chapter 6 CD Library Case pp. 150-1 #1-3 |
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5 10% |
Chapter 7 & 8 CD Library Case pp. 190-2 #2-4, 9 |
Database Design Project:
Each team will choose an application as the subject for the database design project. The application should be unique and applicable to a team member's organization, special interest or hobby. The database should be simple with no more than 4 or 5 tables excluding any lookup tables. At least one one-to-many relationship should be included. Including a recursive relationship would be nice.
Design reviews are scheduled as follows:
· Meeting 3 – subject selection
· Meeting 7 – ERD
· Meeting 11 – Next to final version
The completed design project is due on the date for Meeting 12. On that date, each team will submit an Access database on a 3.5" diskette and a design report. The design report should include:
- A brief description of the application.
- A diagram showing the data model. - Each entity and the relationships between entities should be displayed. Primary and foreign keys should be included along with the entity as appropriate.
- The database should be in 3NF.
- An Access printout of the tables and their contents (actual data is not required). Be sure to use meaningful attribute names.
- A discussion of two queries that might be constructed including at least one multiple tables query. Provide SQL code and a functional description of the queries, i.e. what they are to accomplish, what problem do they solve etc.?
- A discussion of any problems encountered during the exercise and how the team resolved them. In particular, I am interested in design issues, not technical problems with the operation of the software.
- PowerPoint slides of the presentation
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Meeting |
Topic |
Exercises Due |
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1 |
Course Introduction |
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Ch.1 & 2 |
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2 |
Single entity tables |
#1 |
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NO CLASS |
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3 9/21 |
One-to-one & one-to-many relationships |
#2 DB Design |
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4 |
One-to-one & recursive relationships |
#3 |
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5 |
Data modeling |
#4 |
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6 |
The Relational Model |
#5 |
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NO CLASS |
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7 |
Data Structure and Storage |
Review |
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8 |
Data Processing Architectures |
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9 |
Object-oriented Data Management |
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10 |
Organizational Memory Technologies |
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NO CLASS |
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11 |
Managing Organizational Memory |
Review |
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12 |
FINAL EXAM |
Database Team |
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