Description | Objectives | Schedule | Grading | Assignments | Textbooks | Communication | Policies

Description

Study of microcomputer-based data management techniques and systems, including evaluation of software packages, for the organization, manipulation, and retrieval of information. Examination of relational database techniques such as sorting, searching, indexing, report generation, and data transfer using DBMS command language. Projects include development of a working system. (3 credits)

As a student enrolled in this course you are expected to have the prerequisite technology skills. It is further expected that, if needed, the early requisite skills will be developed individually. These skills are required for completion of course assignments, and are not covered in this course. It is your responsibility to gain proficiency to successfully complete the course objectives and assignments.

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Objectives

This course addresses the following UB MS in Information and Library Science Program Goals:

1. Graduates demonstrate theoretical and conceptual understanding of information science, including the creation, representation, organization, retrieval, dissemination, use, and curation of information.
2. Graduates apply disciplinary knowledge and skills required in diverse information contexts.
3. Graduates demonstrate professional competences, including leadership, critical and analytical thinking, research, communication, collaboration, reflective practice, and ethical adherence.

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Schedule

Note: All assignments are due by 11:59 PM on the day they are listed as being due!
Each Online Test is only available for seven (7) days after the Test is listed!

Week	Week Of	Textbook Reading(s)	Chapter	Assignment Test Available	Assignment Due
1	Jan 28	Overview and Introduction	1	Brief Introduction
2	Feb 3	Introduction to Relational Data Model	2	HW1: Query-By-Example and Relational Algebra Test 1	Brief Introduction Due
3	Feb 10	Relational Algebra	2	Test 2	HW1 Due "Project Team Members" Due
4	Feb 17	Structured Query Language (SQL)	3	HW2: Structured Query Language (SQL)	"Project Proposal" Due
5	Feb 24	Structured Query Language (SQL)	3	Test 3	HW2 Due
6	Mar 3	Data Requirements Conceptual Data Modeling	6 Appx F	HW3: Data Modeling for SweetHome
7	Mar 10	Entity Relationship Diagrams	6 Appx F	Test 6	HW3 Due
	Mar 18-23	Spring Recess
9	Mar 24	Logical Database Design Relational Data Model Normal Forms; Normalization	5 Appx A	HW4: Logical Database Design and Normalization Test 5	"Project Data Requirements" Due
10	Mar 31	Physical Database Design Views Indexes Security Integrity Stored Procedures, Triggers, and Macros	4	HW5: Creating Views, Denormalization, Indexes, Integrity, and Parameter Queries Test 4	HW4 Due
11	Apr 7	Database Forms & Reports		HW6: Creating MS Access Forms and Reports
12	Apr 14	DBMS Functions	7	Test 7	HW5 Due
13	Apr 21	Database Administration	8	Test 8	"Project DB Design" Due
14	Apr 28	Distributed Databases Web-Database Integration	9	Test 9	"Project DB Implementation" Due HW6 Due
15	May 5	Object-Oriented Databases XML Databases			"Project DB Report" Due
	May 10	Last Day of classes	All Work Due By 11:59 PM tonight

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Grading

Students will be graded on:

• Brief Introduction (50 points)
• Twelve (12) Discussion Forum posts (180 points)
  • Participation in online discussion on UBlearns of the course topics is required. Your grade will be based on both the quantity and quality of your posts, each of which could be initiating a topic, comment, thought, or question or responding to another post. At minimum for each week, each student should submit a post of the "muddiest point" of the week (i.e., a topic that the student feels most difficult to understand or confusing) and another post that addresses/answers a muddiest point posted by a classmate. Please be advised that a response like "I agree" or "I feel the same" has little merit.
  • Late penalty: -5 points per week (or part of a week) late
• Six (6) Homework Assignments (600 points)
  • These assignments cover a variety of topics, including data requirement gathering and analysis, data modeling using entity-relationship diagrams, creating databases, querying databases using graphical user interface method or structured query language (SQL). These assignments serve dual purposes: for students to master and consolidate what’s covered in the readings and lectures and for the instructor to evaluate each student’s learning outcomes.
  • Late penalty: -5 points per week (or part of a week) late
• Nine (9) online chapter tests (180 points)
  • Each test is available for seven (7) days after the day they are listed in the course schedule. Tests may be taken multiple times. Grade will be recorded for the latest attempt.
  • Late penalty: -5 points
• Database Development Project (500 points)
  • There will be a team project on the design and creation of a relational database in MS Access. The project consists of a proposal, requirement gathering and analysis, data modeling, database design, implementation, design and creation of forms and reports, and a final report.
• LinkedIn - Extra Credit (20 points)
• Lab exercises will generally not be graded individually as detailed instructions/steps of completing them have been given in the lecture slides or in the book. Whenever applicable, standard answers/solutions may be provided/released at the end of the week or the beginning of the next week.
• Extra credit is possible for extraordinary and creative work.

There are 1,530 total points available. Final grade will be based on 1,530 / 15 (102 possible points).

The final letter grades be based on the following table:

NOTE: Blackboard does not correct identify a final grade based on total points for this course. Blackboard only calculates based on what assignments and tests you have submitted. So, while blackboard may show that 830 points earned out of 900 points for assignments and tests you submitted is 92%, this course does not use a percentage. This course uses TOTAL POINTS EARNED, so 830 is 830 points and 55.3% of 100.

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Assignments

Textbooks

Concepts of Database Management
8th Edition
Philip J. Pratt; Mary Z. Last
ISBN-10: 1-285-42710-6
ISBN-13: 978-1-285-42710-2
Cengage Learning

Also available from Amazon and the UB Bookstore North Campus.

Book is strongly recommended.

Book is also available from UB Libraries (Lockwood Library has 2 copies on reserve).

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Communication/Netiquette

The primary source of communication for this course will be by UBLearns and via email. Students taking an online course are expected to login at minimum one time per week for course announcements, assignments, etc.

Faculty/Instructor: I can be reached by email with questions or for guidance that are concerned with this course. Questions about specific assignments should be posted in the appropriate Discussion Forum so everyone can benefit from the question and answer. You should expect that I will reply to your message within 1-2 business days.

Students: If you have multiple email accounts, please be sure that you access (or forward) your UB email. Your UB email is the account I will use to send course-related materials.

This course may utilize UBLearns to facilitate online communication between course participants. Please keep in mind the following "Rules of Netiquette" when communicating online.

• The rules of the classroom are the same regardless of location. Remember just because you’re interacting online, it doesn’t mean you stop having respect for your professors and fellow classmates. You’re communicating with a real person, not a computer screen.
• Remember your audience. When communicating online it’s important to remember who you’re communicating with. When sending a message to a professor, please refrain from using "text speak". For example, Shakespeare never intended for you to type "2B or not 2B". Also, stay away from typing in all capital letters; it will appear as if you’re shouting.
• Avoid strong language. Language can easily be misinterpreted in an online setting. Be sure to review your work before submitting, making sure the reader won’t be able to misinterpret it as strong, or offensive. Sarcasm doesn’t translate well online. Your audience can’t see your facial expressions, or body language. Try to be as straight forward and professional as possible.
• Read everything, twice. Be sure to thoroughly read all course materials before beginning to work on your assignments. If you have a question, or need clarification, re-read the materials. You may have glanced over an important detail the first time. If you’re still having difficulties, then e-mail your professor.
• Review all materials before submitting. When responding to discussion board posts, be sure to read all previous postings before you post your own. This way you won’t duplicate someone else’s comments. Also, it’s a good idea to write, and save your work in Microsoft Word first. In case of a technical issue, you have a backup copy.

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Policy Regarding Absences, Attendance, Assignments, Exams, and University Policy on Incompletes in Courses

• Class Attendance and Absences
  As many online activities will be completed throughout the semester, participation in our UBLearns Discussion Forums is expected. In the case of exceptional circumstances that result in you not being able to participate in a timely manner, you must contact me prior to the start of your absence (either by email or by leaving a telephone message). Please be aware that a prolonged absence from UBLearns under these circumstances does not excuse you from any required assignments.
• Late Assignments
  All assignments are due at the designated time and due date. Failure to submit the assignment when due will result in a loss of .5 points per week that the assignment is late (maximum late penalty will be 3 points). Assignments will always be accepted. It is always better to submit a late assignment and receive some points than to not submit it and receive 0 points. If there are circumstances that will preclude you from turning in assignments on the due date, it is imperative that you discuss the situation with the instructor prior to the due date.
• Exams and Final Exam
  There will be no mi-term or final exam in this course.
• Policy on incomplete grades for the course
  Incomplete grades will be given only if there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. severe illness) that preclude the student from completing the course. The student must have satisfactorily completed all coursework and successfully passed all exams up until the time and incomplete is requested.
• University Policy on Incomplete Grades
  Reference: Policy
  

  A grade of incomplete ("I") indicate that additional course work is required to fulfill the requirements of a given course. Students may only be given an "I" grade if they have a passing average in coursework that has been completed and have well-defined parameters to complete the course requirements that could result in a grade better than the default grade. An "I" grade may not be assigned to a student who did not attend the course. Prior to the end of the semester, students must initiate the request for an "I" grade and receive the instructor's approval. Assignment of an "I" grade is at the discretion of the instructor.

  The instructor must specify a default letter at the time the "I" grade is submitted. A default grade is the letter grade the student will receive if no additional coursework is completed and/or a grade change form is not filed by the instructor. "I" grades must be completed within 12 months. Individual instructors may set shorter time limits for removing an incomplete than the 12-month time limit. Upon assigning an "I" grade, the instructor shall provide the student specification, in writing or by electronic mail, of the requirements to be fulfilled, and shall file a copy with the appropriate departmental office.

  Students must not re-register for courses for which they have received an "I" grade.
  Applicable dates regarding the 12-month provision:

  Incomplete Grade Schedule

  Courses taken in (semester)	Will default in 12 months on
  Fall	December 31
  Spring	May 31
  Summer	August 31

  The "I" must be changed to a grade before the degree conferral date if the students plans to graduate in that semester. At any time prior to the default date, students may elect to change the "I" grade to the default grade by

  A default grade an be "A-", "B+", "B-", "C+", "C-", "D+", "D", or "F". (If a student selected an S/U grading option, it will replace the default letter grade when the grade defaults.)

• Disability Policy
  If you have any disability which requires reasonable accommodations to enable you to participate in this course, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources, 25 Capen Hall, 645-2608, and also the instructor of this course during the first week of class. ODS will provide you with information and review appropriate arrangements for reasonable accommodations. UB Office of Accessibility Resources Web Site
• Academic Integrity
  Reference: Undergrad Catalog Integrity Web Site

  Students who are suspected of academic dishonesty will be dealt with severely in accordance with the Department and University Policy. This may include a grade of 0 for an assignment and/or failure in a course.

• Academic Dishonesty: Actions that compromise academic integrity include, but are not limited to the following examples:
  • Previously submitted work: Submitting academically required material that has been previously submitted - in whole or in substantial part - in another course, without prior and expressed consent of the instructor.
  • Plagiarism. Copying or receiving material from any source and submitting that material as one's own, without acknowledging and citing the particular debts to the source (quotations, paraphrases, basic ideas), or in any other manner representing the work of another as one's own.
  • Cheating. Soliciting and/or receiving information from, or providing information to, another student or any other unauthorized source (including electronic sources such as cellular phones, email, and PDAs), with the intent to deceive while completing an examination or individual assignment.
  • Falsification of academic materials. Fabricating laboratory materials, notes, reports, or any forms of computer data; forging an instructor's name or initials; resubmitting an examination or assignment for re-evaluation which has been altered without the instructor's authorization; or submitting a report, paper, materials, computer data, or examination (or any considerable part thereof) prepared by any person other than the student responsible for the assignment.
  • Misrepresentation of documents. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any University or Official document, record, or instrument of identification.
  • Confidential academic materials. Procurement, distribution or acceptance of examinations or laboratory results without prior and expressed consent of the instructor.
  • Selling academic assignments. No person shall sell or offer for sale to any person enrolled at the University at Buffalo any academic assignments, or any inappropriate assistance in the preparation, research, or writing of any assignment, which the sellers knows, or has reason to believe, is intended for submission in fulfillment of any course or academic program requirement.
  • Purchasing academic assignments. No person shall purchase an academic assignment intended for submission in fulfillment of any course or academic program requirement.

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This document last modified Monday, 07-Jan-2019 10:42:42 EST