Syllabus


Course Description

This course teaches the basic elements of database management systems. It introduces students to the concepts of logical and physical relationships in a data model and the concept of inner join. Students will use a computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tool to design, create, and query a database.

This course does not fulfill a requirement for students majoring in Computer Information Technology. It is a requirement for students majoring in Information Systems and for several minors, clusters, and emphases.

Course Topics

Course Outcomes

  1. Understand how databases are used in business
  2. Learn and apply the data modeling terms: table, row, column, constraint, primary key, foreign key, inner join
  3. Install a database management system (DBMS)
  4. Use a computer aided software engineering (CASE) tool to create a database
  5. Use a CASE tool to create and drop tables
  6. Use a CASE tool to insert, update, and delete rows
  7. Use a CASE tool to query a database
  8. Understand how databases are used in dynamic web pages

Learning Model Architecture

Students will prepare by reading the textbook before they attend class,taking a short quiz, and doing the practice activities individually or in groups.

Students will teach one another by working together on group assignments and providing peer review on most assignments.

Students will ponder the question, "How does this apply to my life, and how can I use this in my schooling and work?"

Students will prove through assessments and a final project.

Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this course.

Required Materials

Conger, Steve "Hands-On Databases" Prentice Hall 2014, ISBN 978-0-13302441-8

Compare prices for your textbooks through the University Store Price Comparison Site.University Store Price Comparison Site

You are also required to install a database management system (DBMS) on a computer and use that DBMS to design and implement a small database. In accordance with the BYU-Idaho student laptop initiative, BYU-Idaho will not provide you with a computer to use in this class. You should provide your own computer where you can install and use a DBMS. You should be able to type at least 35 words per minute.

Where Can I Get Help?

This course uses specialized practices and resources that may require additional support not normally offered to other courses. As always, you have your Online Instructor support.

For individual help with your course work specifically, you may want to consider requesting a tutor at the Online Tutor Center.

For more general support you always have access to the Online Support Center and IT Help Desk, though they may not be able to help with the specific technical support often needed for this CIT course.

Grading Policies

Your final grade in this course will be based on your performance in the following categories:

Task Percent of Final Grade
Quizzes, Surveys, Discussion Boards, Homework, and Projects 50%
Midterm Exam 25%
Final Exam 25%

To see the relative weight of each assignment in the course, view the gradebook. The grade book is in the upper-left corner of your I-Learn page (parallel to your name in I-Learn).

Time Consumption

Remember, because this is a three-credit course, you will spend approximately 9 hours each week doing the homework. Do not plan otherwise. The most important thing to remember is to pace yourself. Set aside time throughout the week to complete your assignments.

Because this course follows the organization of the Learning Model, there are many opportunities to teach and work together with your peers. You should not treat this as an independent study course where you can work ahead on your own. In fact, if you are working ahead on your own, you will be missing key activities where peer review is required. Instead, stay within the weekly schedules set in the course schedule and put any additional time into helping others in peer review activities. Make sure to complete all learning activities for one lesson before the next lesson begins!

Homework Assignments

Students may work together to complete homework assignments, but each student must complete and turn in his own work. Check the Course Schedule to see the due dates of each assignment. There are two types of homework assignments in this class: review questions, and computer programs.

  1. You must complete the review questions in I-Learn by Tuesday of each week.
  2. You will submit your initial program by Tuesday, complete the Peer Review by Wednesday and resubmit your final revised program by Friday of each week.

Quizzes

There will be a reading quiz each week of the semester.

Exams

Exam questions will be drawn from the course text and assignments. There will be two exams during the semester: one midterm and one final exam.

Late Work

C.I.T. department policy states that professors should not accept late work unless a student is ill. Therefore, your instructor will not accept any late work, including homework, quizzes, and exams unless you are ill. If possible, please e-mail your instructor before an assignment or exam is due to inform him that you are ill.

Cheating

If you cheat on any assignment or exam, you will receive a zero for that assignment or exam and will be referred to the student honor office. You can read what constitutes cheating on the website of the Student Honor Office.

Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an education program or activity that receives federal funds, including Federal loans and grants; Title IX also covers student-to-student sexual harassment. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender based discrimination, please contact the Personnel Office at (208) 496-1700.

Disability

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere which reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities; If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office, (208) 496-4271. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by this office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures. You should contact the Personnel Office at (208) 496-1700.