DESC 382: Database Management
Winter 2011

MB Building room S2.135
10:15 am to 1:00 pm Wednesdays

Instructor

Chitu Okoli

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phone

(514) 848-2424 x2985

Office

MB 12.339 (12^th floor of the JMSB Building)

Office hours

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Required materials

1. Textbook: Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management. 2010 (9^th) edition. By Carlos Coronel, Steven Morris, and Peter Rob. Published by Cenngage Learning (Course Technology). ISBN 978-0-538-46968-5.
   • SQL data files are available.
2. Oracle Database. Freeware 10g Express Edition is available:
   • Windows version from DESC 382 website (enrolled students only). 161 MB.
   • Linux and Windows version directly from Oracle (registration with Oracle required).
   • For Mac users, you can run the Windows version by running Windows on Boot Camp or by running Windows on a virtual machine like VirtualBox (open source and freeware versions) or Parallels ($$$).
   • A recommended Oracle manual is available online from Concordia University Libraries through Safari Books Online; see details below under "Recommended Books".
3. Oracle SQL Developer as the database management system.
   • A video tutorial is available online and for download.
4. Data model diagramming tool such as Dia (open source) or Microsoft Visio (available at no charge to Concordia students via MyConcordia).

Both of these recommended books are available online from Concordia University Libraries through Safari Books Online. However, they are only available from within the Concordia University network, or from off-campus via the VPN. Search for the book titles, and they will come up:

1. The Manga Guide to Databases, by Mana Takahashi and Shoko Azuma. Published by No Starch Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-1593271909.
2. Oracle Essentials, by Rick Greenwald, Robert Stackowiak and Jonathan Stern. Published by O'Reilly Media, 2004. ISBN: 978-0-596-00585-6. Note that this book refers to Oracle 10g Express Edition by its older name, "Personal Oracle;" however, it is essentially the same version.

• The course website is http://chitu.okoli.org/desc382
• Grades will be posted via Moodle, which you can access through MyConcordia.
• You will be expected to check your e-mail at least once every day, since this is the primary means of communication for this class. I will only e-mail the address I find in MyConcordia, so be sure to keep this address current. You are responsible to act on all communications sent to this e-mail address.

• Hall Building labs for all Concordia students. You may obtain a computer account code through MyConcordia.
• CASA lab for JMSB students in Room S1-465 of the JMSB (MB) Building.

Prerequisites

COMM 226 or COMM 301

Course overview

This course provides a comprehensive foundation for designing, building, and working with databases, enabling students to understand and use commercially available database products effectively. The course examines different models of representing data with emphasis on relational model. Topics include data modelling, database design, queries, transaction management, implementation issues, and an overview of distributed database management systems, data warehouses, databases in electronic commerce, and database administration. Where feasible, use is made of professional data management software for designing, building, and implementing relational databases.

Learning outcomes

Information systems deals with processing information to effectively accomplish organizational goals. A key component of this purpose is to collect raw data, process it, transform it, and present it to target users in useful means that enable them to understand and effectively use it. Database management is central to this purpose. This course aims to produce professionals who are able to effectively manage data and databases to:

• understand the atomic nature of data that is used in organizational and information system contexts;
• organize the data using contemporary relational database models, including efficient normalization of such data;
• use the entity relationship model to organize and describe a database;
• can effectively use the most important SQL features for contemporary enterprise databases;
• design databases within the context of a larger information system;
• understand the strategic value of business intelligence and data warehouses;
• understand the key features of database interconnectivity;
• understand basic issues related to database administration.

Teaching method

• Lectures: The lectures will primarily be based on the textbook. From time to time, I might provide you with supplementary materials that bring to your attention contemporary issues in database management.
• Reading assignments: You are required to read the entirety of the assigned chapters of the textbook. You are required to read the relevant chapters before class, as specified in the schedule. From time to time, I might also assign additional readings for in-class discussion. You will be required to complete the assigned readings before the beginning of class. The reading assignments are selected to give you adequate understanding of the course material.
• Project: The project provides the opportunity for you to apply the knowledge learned in the class to a business database scenario. It is a practical learning component of the course.
• Assignments: There will be some assignments designed to give you more practical experience related to the material covered in the lectures. These will be done individually to assure your personal learning of the concepts.
• Exams: The midterm and final exams will take place on the university premises. Before the exams, I will give clear details about their contents. The date and time for the final exam will be determined by the examination office.

Participation

This class will feature a lot of in-class discussion. You should come to class prepared by having read the assigned materials beforehand so that you can actively participate in stimulating, thoughtful discussion. I also encourage you to bring into the discussion anything you might have read, learned or experienced outside the materials for this class. I value a few thoughtful insights far more than frequent unreflective comments. Contribution to the class’s learning also means that you listen to what other students say, and you build on their comments so that our group discussion can have direction.

Assessments

Because of the cancellation of the Wikipedia assignment, the greater score of the two assignments 1 or 2 will count for 15% instead of 5% as originally scheduled.

Grading policy

Department of Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems grades are based on the official grading system described in the Concordia University Calendar as follows:

• “A” is for outstanding performance, far above the average result
• “B” is for very good performance, above the average result
• “C” is for satisfactory performance, the average result
• “D” is a marginal pass, below the average result
• “F” is a failing grade, indicating inadequate and unacceptable results

There is no official “mark-to-grade equivalence scale”, e.g., that 50 is a “pass”, or that 50-52 is a “D-”. Faculty members individually or collectively decide what constitutes an “A”, “B”, “C”, etc.

There will be three graded homework assignments for this class.

Two of the assignments are designed to give you extended time to work out the material learned in class. These assignments are to be conducted individually. In addition, I may provide some non-graded assignments (with solutions) for your further learning. These assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified due date.

In addition, there will be a group-based Wikipedia assignment; this is described separately.

Late submissions: Assignments must be submitted at the beginning of class on the due date to be considered on time. Late submissions incur the following penalties: –10% if submitted more than 15 minutes after the start of the class; –20% if submitted after class on the same day due; and –10% for each day late after that. I accept e-mail submissions if I receive them before class starts; otherwise, they will be marked as late.

Examinations

There will be one midterm and one final examination. The specific dates, times, and locations will be announced in class.

Important Note: In accordance with the DSMIS Department policy, your average on both tests together must be at least 50% to pass the course.

Term project

The purpose of the project is to provide the opportunity for you to apply the knowledge learned in the class to a business database scenario. The project is to be done in groups of three to five people; I will adjust the groups to maintain optimal group numbers and sizes. Each individual must submit a confidential Peer Assessment. Your individual grade for the group project will depend partially on your group grade, and also on how your peers evaluate you. So, be a team player! The project is described in detail in a separate document.

Make-up policy

Midterm and final exam: Only students who miss an exam for university-approved and verifiable reasons will be allowed to take a make-up exam. Even then, except in the most extreme circumstances, no student may miss a scheduled exam without receiving permission before the administration of the exam. Make-up exams might be significantly different in format from the regular tests, and will be administered at a time of my own convenience.

Attendance policy

Attendance is required for this class. You are expected to arrive and depart this class promptly at the scheduled time.

Academic honesty

The Code of Conduct (Academic) at Concordia University states that the "integrity of University academic life and of the degrees, diplomas and certificates the University confers is dependent upon the honesty and soundness of the instructor-student learning relationship and, in particular, that of the evaluation process. Therefore, for their part, all students are expected to be honest in all of their academic endeavours and relationships with the University." (Article 1)

All students enrolled at Concordia are expected to familiarize themselves with the contents of this Code. You are required to read Concordia University's website on Academic Integrity, which provides useful information about proper academic conduct.

In addition, for all my classes, I require you to sign and submit an Academic Honour Pledge. I will not return any graded work to you in this class until I have received your signed Honour Pledge.

The homework assignments and exams must be done individually. Only the group project and Wikipedia assignment are to be done in groups. Moreover, group work must not involve any plagiarism whatsoever. You are encouraged to refer to outside resources, but you are not permitted to copy-and-paste, and all sources used must be properly cited.

Any violation of the Academic Code of Conduct will constitute academic dishonesty and will be handled through the appropriate university channels. If you have any question about what might be a violation of the Code, ask me directly and I will gladly clarify you. Thus, claiming to misunderstand is not an acceptable excuse.

Miscellaneous

• It is the responsibility of the student who misses a class period to remain informed of the material covered in that period and to catch up and stay up-to-date.
• Any changes to the tentative schedule will be announced in class. It is the responsibility of the student to remain informed of such changes.