ClassInfo

IT 240 Introduction to Databases

Dolores Kalayta

Office: CDM 617
Fall 2014-2015
Class number: 10186
Section number: 720
-
Online Campus
Course homepage: https://d2l.depaul.edu

Summary

This course will introduce students to the design, implementation and use of desktop databases. Major topics include: modeling using ER diagrams, creating and maintaining a database using a PC based application, compose and use queries in Structured Query Language, create and customize forms and reports, and integrate databases with other sources of data and applications.

This is an online class. There are no face-to-face class meetings. This is not a self-paced class. There are weekly deadlines for readings, video lecture viewings, assignments and quizzes. If you have questions, please contact me at dkalayta@cdm.depaul.edu.

Learning domain description

IT 240 Introduction to Databases is included in the Liberal Studies program as a course with credit in the Scientific Inquiry domain. Courses in the Scientific Inquiry domain are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn the methods of modern science and its impact on the world around us. Courses are designed to help students develop a more complete perspective about science and the scientific process, including: an understanding of the major principles guiding modern scientific thought; a comprehension of the varying approaches and aspects of science; an appreciation of the connection among the sciences; the fundamental role of mathematics in practicing science; an awareness of the roles and limitations of theories and models in interpreting, understanding, and predicting natural phenomena; and a realization of how these theories and models change or are supplanted as our knowledge increases.

Learning outcomes

  1. Students will understand the major principles guiding modern scientific thought. Students will demonstrate a mastery of the science content knowledge of their SID courses.
  2. Students will know that science, technology, and math serve as mechanisms for inquiry into the nature of the universe. Students will: 

    1. identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations;
    2. design and conduct a scientific investigation to test a scientific hypothesis;
    3. use appropriate tools and techniques together, analyze, and interpret data to support or refute a scientific hypothesis;
    4. develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence;
    5. describe relationships between evidence and explanations using critical and logical thinking;
    6. recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions;
    7. communicate scientific procedures and explanations;
    8. use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry.
  3. Students will understand and appreciate the interrelationships among science, technology and math. Students will:
    1. use technology and mathematics to identify a problem or design a solution to a problem;
    2. give examples of how science and technology inform and influence each other.
  4. Students will understand and appreciate the role of science in society and in their lives. Students will:
    1. Provide examples of how science and technology impact our lives, and how social needs and concerns impact our development of technology and scientific investigation;
    2. develop positive attitudes towards science, technology, and mathematics;
    3. establish an ongoing experiential/service-learning interest in science, technology, and mathematics.
  5. Students will understand the nature of science, technology, and mathematics. Students will:
    1. provide examples of the abuse of science, including the representation of unfalsifiable claims as science and other forms of pseudoscience;
    2. explain the strengths and limits of scientific inquiry;
    3. explain the difference between evidence and inference, and the 
provisional nature of scientific explanations by providing examples of how our understanding of the workings of the world has changed in the past;
    4. explain the difference between probability and certainty, and describe what is meant by uncertainty in the context of science, technology, and mathematics.

How learning outcomes will be met

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • identify the ubiquitous use of databases in everyday life
  • demonstrate the effects of redundancy, inconsistencies and lack of integrity when databases are poorly designed
  • apply Boolean logic, set theory, and relational algebra concepts in the construction of Structured Query Language (SQL) requests for retrieval of data
  • predict and confirm results using empirical evidence from publicly accessible data
  • create an Entity Relationship Diagram to graphically model user database requirements
  • construct and maintain a database within a domain that implements the constraints of the relational database model.

    Writing expectations

    Writing is integral for communicating ideas and progress in science, mathematics and technology. The form of writing in these disciplines is different from most other fields and includes, for example, mathematical equations, computer code, figures and graphs, lab reports and journals. Courses in the SI domain must include a writing component where that component takes on the form appropriate for that course (eg, lab reports, technical reports, etc.)

    Students are required to submit a paper describing a business situation that would benefit from a database implementation to store and retrieve data. They must apply their knowledge of relational databases to define the business constraints, design considerations and implementation techniques. Also, throughout the course writing is emphasized in terms of using entity-relationship diagrams in the database design phase, translating the design into relational schema, and writing queries to retrieve data, create the database and populate the database with data.



    Texts

    Database Concepts, 6th Edition
    By David M.Kroenke,David J.Auer
    Prentice Hall, 2013. ISBN-13: 978-1-1118-2591-1, ISBN-10: 1-1118-2591-2.
    eTextbook: Database Concepts, CourseSmart eTextbook, 6th Edition ISBN-13:978-0-13-274443-0
    Publisher's Web Site



    Grading

    There will be nine assignments (that includes a database project), weekly quizzes, a midterm and a final exam.

    Percent of final grade
    Assignments (includes database project):40%
    Quizzes:10%
    Midterm Exam :25% -- Week 5 (dates to be determined)
    Final Exam (comprehensive) :25% -- Week 11 (dates to be determined)


    • The lowest assignment grade (does not include the database project) will be dropped.

    • All assignment descriptions and requirements will be posted only on the course web pages on D2L.

    • Each assignment will have a specific due date and time. Check D2L frequently for assignments and announcements.

    • Be sure to read the assignment carefully, including the directions on how to submit the assignment. All assignment submissions will be done using D2L.

    • Late submissions of assignments will not be accepted.

    • Exams will be proctored at DePaul University and at other remote locations.

    • You need to register for exams in D2L. The exam scheduling window will be opened about 2 weeks before the exam week. You will receive an email when scheduling is available. Please review the proctored exams overview and policies webpages for more information.

    • Make-up examinations of any kind will not be given. If there is an extreme emergency you have to contact me before the examination takes place.

      The following grading scale is used:

      Grade A A- B+ B B-
      Percent100 - 93 92 - 90 89 - 87 86 - 83 82 - 80




      Grade C+ CC- D+ D F
      Percent 79 -- 77 76 - 73 72 - 70 69 - 67 66 - 60 59 - 0





    Prerequisites

    None.


    Course Management Web Site

    Desire2Learn https://d2l.depaul.edu

    Changes to Syllabus


    This syllabus is subject to changes as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be addressed in D2L.(last updated: 9/3/2014)


    Software Required

    Microsoft Access 2013 (or Microsoft Access 2010). Access 2013 is available in all University and CDM PC labs. If you want to install on your PC, it is available at MSDNAA. Please carefully read and follow all instructions to obtain the software.

    Technical Skills

    If you do not have access to a DePaul lab or a lab with Microsoft Access 2010 installed on a PC, then it is expected you have the necessary skills to download the appropriate software and install this software on your PC or Mac.

    Important Dates


    Class begins on: Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2014
    First assignment due date: Tuesday, Sep. 16, 2014 (no exceptions)
    Last Day to drop class with no penalty : Thursday, Sep. 25, 2014
    Proctored Midterm Exam : Week 5 --dates to be determined
    Last day to withdraw* from class : Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014
    Proctored Final Exam (comprehensive) : Week 11 --dates to be determined

    * Students who withdraw from the course do so by using the Campus Connection system (http://campusconnect.depaul.edu). Withdrawals processed via this system are effective the day on which they are made. Simply ceasing to attend, or notifying the instructor, or nonpayment of tuition, does not constitute an official withdrawal from class and will result in academic as well as financial penalty.

    Tentative Week by Week Schedule

    The following is a tentative schedule of the topics to be covered in this course. The order of the topics is subject to change. (Last updated: 8/23/2014)



    Week 1 Ch. 1 pp 3 - 23
    • Syllabus and course overview
    • Why use a database
    • What is a database system

    Week 2 Ch.2 pp 59 - 74
    • Relational Model
    • Types of Keys
    • Functional Dependencies
    • Null Values
    • Relational Algebra Concepts: Selection, Projection, Join
    • Set Theory Concepts
    • Using the ACCESS SQL Editor
    Week 3 Ch.3 pp 131 - 143
    • SQL: SELECT
    • Single table
    • Boolean Operators
    • Comparison Operators
    • Wildcards
    • Nulls
    • Sorting
    Week 4 Ch.3 pp 143 - 159
    • Aggregate Functions & Calculations
    • Groupings
    • Multiple Tables: Subqueries
    • Multiple Tables: Joins
    • Left / Right Joins
    • Midterm Study Suggestions
    Week 5
    • Midterm Exam (dates to be determined)
    • Entity Relationship Data Model
    Week 6 Ch.4 pp 219 - 226
    • Entity Relationship Diagram
    Week 7 Ch.5 pp 259 - 287
    • Transforming ERD to Database Design
    Week 8 Ch.3 pp 115 - 127
    and pp 159 - 165
    • SQL: Data-Definition
    • SQL: Populating Tables
    • SQL: Data Modification and Deletion
    • SQL: Table Modification and Deletion
    Week 9 Ch.1 pp 144 - 50
    • Forms
    • Reports
    • Importing Data (notes)
    Week 10 Ch.2 pp 72 - 82
    • Functional Dependencies - review
    • Normalization
    • Final Exam Study Suggestions
    Week 11 Final Exam (dates to be determined)(comprehensive)

    School policies:

    Changes to Syllabus

    This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

    Online Course Evaluations

    Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

    Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

    This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

    All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

    Academic Policies

    All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

    Students with Disabilities

    Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
    To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
    Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
    Phone number: (312)362-8002
    Fax: (312)362-6544
    TTY: (773)325.7296