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Course Syllabus

 "We have thousands of times more available information than Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln. Yet which of us would think ourselves a thousand times more educated or more serviceable to our fellowmen than they? The sublime quality of what these two men gave to us—including the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address—was not attributable to their great resources of information, for their libraries were comparatively small by our standards. Theirs was the wise and inspired use of a limited amount of information. Available information wisely used is far more valuable than multiplied information allowed to lie fallow." - Dallin H. Oaks

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.

Grading

Letter Grade %
A 93 - 100
A- 90 - 92
B+ 87 - 89
B 83 - 86
B- 80 - 82
C+ 77 - 79
C 73 - 76
C- 70 - 72
D+ 67 - 69
D 63 - 66
D- 60 - 62
F <= 59 

 

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 emphasis.

Course Topics

Course Objectives

Each student will develop fundamental knowledge and skills in using, designing, and building relational databases by doing the following:

  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

Requirements

This course requires you to read and understand course text, images, and videos that introduces relational database concepts. You are also required to install a database management system (DBMS) on your computer and use that DBMS to design and implement a small database. You must have a laptop computer to use in class.  You should also have a notebook for taking notes during lecture.

Textbook

Software

 Attendance

Attending each class period is expected.  Missing class seven times will result in a maximum grade of C+ for the semester.  Missing class ten times will result in an F for the semester.  Whether you are in class or not, you are responsible for all lectures, in-class exercises, tests, programs, and handouts. You may obtain class notes, assignments, instructions, etc. from another student. 5% of your grade covers participation. Participation required attendance.

Schedule

You can view the class schedule in the calendar section of I-Learn. The instructor may make changes, deletions, corrections, or additions to the schedule during the semester.

Grading

Your grade will be computed according to the following table.

Percent of Final Grade

Quizzes

All quizzes are closed book except for the Syllabus Quiz. Each quiz has a 30 minute time limit and will be taken in class on the scheduled date.  Quizzes can only be taken late if you contact me before the quiz date with a valid reason (e.g., field trip for another class) or you contact me as soon as possible in the case of a medical emergency.  There is a practice quiz, that you can take up to five times, that corresponds to each quiz.

Homework

All graded homework submissions must be your own work but you may collaborate with students, tutors, teaching assistants and the instructor to help you understand the concepts.

Late Work

There is a 20% penalty applied to any late work received within 7 days of the due date.  Work turned in later than 7 days after the due date will receive no credit.

Exams

Exam questions will be drawn from the textbook, lecture, and assignments.  The Final Exam will be a 60 minute exam given in the classroom on the last day of class.  You may not take the final exam early.

Cheating

If you cheat on any assignment or exam, you will receive a zero (0) for that assignment or exam, you may receive a F for the semester, and will be referred to the student honor office. You can read what constitutes cheating on the website of the student honor office.

Electronic Devices

Phones are not to be used during class.  Laptops are only to be used for course specific activities during the appropriate times in class.

Dress and Grooming

Your instructor expects you to honor the agreement that you made when you applied to BYU-Idaho that you would abide by the dress and grooming standards. You can read the baseline standards 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.