CSCI 3222

Database Management Systems

3 credit hours
Course Information
Course Description: This course will give the student a basic overview of Relational Database Systems and
Relational Database Design. The student will gain essential skills needed to create,
maintain and query a database system using the ISO standard SQL language. Students
will work individually on a series of projects encompassing all phases of database
design and implementation.
Course Objectives: Learn the basics of relational database design and application
Learn how to create, manage and query a database system
Understand data models, normal forms and integrity rules
Learn to use a relational database application
Learn to use the ISO standard SQL database language
Enjoy learning something new! It will open lots of doors.
Prerequisites and A course covering basic computer skills. Students are expected to know how to
Corequisites: navigate computer file systems, download and install software. Work experience may
be substituted for a course.
Course Topics: Database concepts and design, forms, tables, queries, modules, sorting and filtering
data, database management (reliability and integrity),.
Specific Course Students must have access to a broadband connection have administrative rights
Requirements: on a personal computer with at least 550MB of free hard drive disk space. You
must be an administrator (or be able to run as administrator) to install software.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks: The text for this course is available entirely online. You do not need to purchase a
book through the bookstore. Visit the RODP online bookstore
Supplementary Materials: None.
Hardware Requirements: PC or Mac with broadband Internet access and 550 MB of free hard disk space
Software Requirements: You must have a computer running one of the following operating systems: PC
running Windows XP, Vista or 7. Macintosh running OS 10.3 (Panther) or later.
The following will be downloaded as part of the course: MySql (free open source
database http://www.mysql.com). Notepad++.
Optional Software:
Web Browser, Adobe Acrobat Reader or Microsoft Office

Assessment and Grading

Testing Procedures: Both examinations will be administered at the testing center closest to the students,
home or work. You should specify this location to the instructor within the first two
weeks of this course. The exams will be two hours in duration, and will be closed book
and closed notes. This process is subject to change dependent on the prevailing
procedures at the time of the examinations.
Grading Procedure: Assignments will be graded on the basis of
Correctness: A correct design accommodates all functionalities specified in
the assignment,
Completeness: A complete design meets all of the requirements specified in

the assignment, and is documented in a clear and concise manner

ease of use: A design is easy to use if all interfaces to the design obey a
consistent design protocol and are as self explanatory and inviting to a user as
is possible
efficiency of design: An efficient design meets the conditions specified using
a minimum of resources, and executes functionality in as short a time as
possible
These criteria are selected as these are the criteria used to evaluate all
commercial applications of DBMS, thus a student mastering these criteria in
their design projects will be acquiring skill required in the workplace. High
achievement in the course will constitute fulfilling all of these criteria on all
work submitted.
Your grade will be based on the weighted average of points derived from
each assignment. The total number of points depends on the number of
assignments in a given semester.
Your Grade will be Calculated using the following percentages:
Class Participation (10):

10%

Homeworks(4):

15%

Labs(10)

10%

Quizzes (10)

20%

Project (1)

10%

Mid-Term (1)

15%

Final (1)

20%

See more assignment details

Grade Percent Quality Points
Grading Scale A 90-100 4.0
B 80-89 3.0
C 70-79 2.0
D 60-69 1.0
F 0-59 0.0

Assignments and Participation

Assignments and
Projects:

Assignment 1 due at end of Week 1

Assignment 2 due at end of Week 2, Quiz on Week 1
Assignment 3 due at end of Week 3, Quiz on Week 2, Homework 1 Due
Assignment 4 due at end of Week 4, Quiz on Week 3
Assignment 5 due at end of Week 5, Quiz on Week 4, Homework 2 Due
Assignment 6 due at end of Week 6, Quiz on Week 5

Assignment 7 due at end of Week 7, Quiz on Week 6

Mid-Term
Assignment 8 due at end of Week 8
Assignment 9 due at end of Week 9, Quiz on Week 8, Homework 3 Due
Assignment 10 due at end of Week 10, Quiz on Week 9
Assignment 11 due at end of Week 11, Quiz on Week 10, Homework 4 Due
Database Project Complete due at end of Week 12
Final Exam due before the end of Week 13
Class Participation: Students must communicate with other students in the chat room, students are
expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource, students must
check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements, and students must
actively participate in threaded discussion events.
Punctuality: Each of the Assignments and Quizzes will be due at the end of the week in which they
were assigned (All due elements as stated under the Assignments Tab for each week
and explained in Week "n" Documents). Late penalties of 20 percent per day will be
assessed. Work will not be accepted more than 2 days overdue.

Course Ground Rules

Participation in on-line discussions is required. You are expected to learn how to
navigate in WebCT. It is you responsibility to keep abreast of course announcement.
All e-mail will be sent to the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed
a personal e-mail address. You must address technical problems immediately, and
observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

Discussion Groups:

Chat:

Always include a subject line beginning with CSCI 3222

Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the
wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be
helpful in some cases.
Use standard fonts.
Do not send large attachments without permission.
Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should
be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other
communication.
Respect the privacy of other class members.
Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion.
Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new
topic.
Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the
discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before
entering your remarks.
Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.

Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.

Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.
Web Resources:

Library
The Tennessee Board of Regents Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in
the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals,
databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and
librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online
assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary
academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services
staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this
course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for
specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is
the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability
services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation
notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes
The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus if necessary due to
time constraints or other unforeseen events. If this is necessary, members of the class
will be notified as soon as possible BY E-MAIL and posted on the BULLETIN
BOARD.

Assignment Details

Possible Pts
Percent of
Grade

Possible Pts
Percent of
Grade

Possible Pts
Percent of
Grade

Possible Pts
Percent of
Grade

Lab
Mod 1 20

Lab
Mod 2 20

Lab
mod 3 30

Lab
Mod 4
25

Lab
Mod 5
30

Lab
Mod 6
26

Lab
Mod 7
20

Lab
Mod 8
35

Lab
Mod 9
50

1.0%

1.0%

1.0%

1.0%

1.0%

1.0%

1.0%

1.0%

1.0%

Quiz 1
21

2_Quiz
21

3 Quiz
27

4 Quiz
30

5 Quiz
30

Quiz 6
15

Quiz 7
27

Quiz 8
21

Quiz 9
21

2.2%

2.2%

2.2%

2.2%

2.2%

2.2%

2.2%

2.2%

2.2%

HW 1
100

HW 2
180

HW 3
100

HW 4
100

3.0%

4.0%

4.0%

4.0%

Mid
Term
100

Final
100

Project
100

15.0%

20.0%

10.0%

Class Participation
60
10.0%