ClassInfo

IT 240 Introduction to Databases

Winter 2017-2018
Class number: 20976
Section number: 502
TuTh 11:50AM - 1:20PM
CDM 00224 Loop Campus

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, composing and using queries in Structured Query Language, creating and customizing forms and reports, and integrating databases with other sources of data and applications.


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 in understanding 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 and 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

Students will be able to:

- Understand the major principles guiding modern scientific thought.

- Demonstrate a mastery of the science content knowledge of their SID courses.

- Know that science, technology, and math serve as mechanisms for inquiry into the nature of the universe:
-- Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
-- Design and conduct a scientific investigation to test a scientific hypothesis.
-- Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data to support or refute a scientific hypothesis.
-- Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence.
-- Describe relationships between evidence and explanations using critical and logical thinking.
-- Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions.
-- Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
-- Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry.

- Understand and appreciate the interrelationships among science, technology, and math:
-- Use technology and mathematics to identify a problem or design and solution to a problem.
-- Give examples of how science and technology inform and influence each other.

- Understand and appreciate the role of science in society and in their lives:
-- Provide examples of how science and technology impact our lives, and how social needs and concerns impact our development of technology and scientific investigation.
-- Develop positive attitudes towards science, technology, and mathematics.
-- Establish an ongoing experiential/service-learning interest in science, technology, and mathematics.

- Understand the nature of science, technology, and mathematics:
-- Provide examples of the abuse of science, including the representation of unfalsifiable claims as science and other forms of pseudoscience,
-- Explain the strengths and limits of scientific inquiry,
-- 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,
-- Explain the difference between probability and certainty.
-- Describe what is meant by uncertainty in the context of science, technology, and mathematics.

How Learning Outcomes Will Be Met

- 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 Expectation

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 will complete a quarter long project in which they will design, create, and maintain a database system. They will write SQL commands to create and maintain the database. Assignments will contain prompts in which students will demonstrate understanding of the course material through writing.

Course Management System

D2L will be used as course management system. It will contain the syllabus, lectures slides, course assignments and deadlines, as well as instructor communications. Students are required to check D2L regularly and encouraged to set up notifications to stay up to date.



Texts

Database Concepts, 7th Edition
By David M.Kroenke,David J.Auer
Prentice Hall, 2015. ISBN-13: 978-0133544626, ISBN-10: 0133544621.
eTextbook: Database Concepts, CourseSmart eTextbook, 7th Edition ISBN-13:9780133544862, ISBN-10: 0122544869


Grading

The course final grade will be determined by the following components and weights:

Attendance 20%
Assignments* 30%
Midterm 15%
Project 5%
Final 30%
*Lowest assignment grade will be dropped

Final letter grades will be assigned according to the following percentages:

Percentage Letter grade
100 - 93 A
92 - 90 A-
89 - 87 B+
86 - 83 B
82 - 80 B-
79 - 77 C+
76 - 73 C
72 - 70 C-
69 - 67 D+
66 - 60 D
59 - 0 F


Prerequisites

None


Course Policies

- Attendance is mandatory. Each absence results in a 1/3 reduction of the participation grade.
- A student more than 15 min late will be counted absent
- No late assignments will be accepted.
- The lowest assignment grade will be dropped.


Required Software

Microsoft Access is available in all DePaul PC labs. It is available through MSDNAA for installation on student PCs. Please carefully read and follow all instructions to obtain the software for the Microsoft Windows PC.

If you do not have access to a DePaul lab or a lab with Microsoft Access 2013 installed on a PC, then you are expected to have the necessary skills to download the appropriate software and install this software on your Windows PC or Mac.


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