SELLINGER
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Course Description (from Loyola Catalogue): Provides an analysis of database systems within the broader scope of information systems. An intensive, introductory course in database design concepts that includes the building and using of systems. The roles of the database as a corporate resource and the role of the database administrator as the steward of that resource are examined. Management issues such as security, efficiency, and effectiveness are included. The relational model is used as the paradigm for theory and practice. Both Oracle's SQL and Access' QBE provide a great deal of hands-on activity. Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
Course Requirements: Exams There will be two examinations as part of the course requirements. Exam I will be held in the middle of the semester, in-class, and will consist of short answer questions, essays, case analyses, and design exercises. Exam II is take-home, open book, and will be due at the beginning of the last class meeting. See the Class Schedule for actual dates. Unexcused absence from an examination will result in a zero (0) grade for that exam. Make-up exams will be given only if the student’s absence has been excused by the instructor in advance. In cases of illness, a written excuse from the physician will be required. Homework Assignments & Project There will be 4-8 homework assignments to be completed throughout the semester. They will be weighted according to my assessment of their difficulty and importance. Instructions for assignments will be given 1-3 weeks before the due date. In some cases, students will be asked to present their solutions to homework problems in class. Such a presentation, however, is not evaluated as part of the homework grade, but as part of the class participation grade (see below). Homework will be collected at the beginning of class on the due date. The final assignment will be in the form of a project. All students will present their project to the class at the final class meeting. Project guidelines will be distributed well in advance of the due date. Current Topic Report Once during the semester, each student will prepare a current topic report on the database management topic of his/her choice. The assignment will consist of a written report and a brief oral presentation. The purpose of these presentations is to expose the class to a variety of relevant database management issues as reported in Web-based or traditional (magazines, newspapers, journals, etc.) sources. A presentation schedule will be developed early in the semester. Class Participation Class participation is comprised of multiple subjective and objective activities. These activities have been diversified to address student ability and interest. Subjective activity is your contribution to the class discussions based upon readings and various class exercises. This contribution can take the form of asking thought provoking questions or providing examples of concepts discussed in class. Objective activity is primarily based on your completion of in-class exercises and discussion of homework assignments. There will be approximately 10-12 of these activities worth 5-15 points each. Most of the participation activities will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Attendance is expected and it is not possible to make up class work missed due to absence. The only exceptions to this rule will be for documented (doctor's note, etc.) cases of severe illness or other arrangements made with the instructor in advance of the absence. Please refrain from eating during class as this is highly disruptive. Drinks (particularly with caffeine) are fine. Kindly turn off cell phones and pagers. Repeated lateness to class will negatively affect your participation grade. Grading: The breakdown of points to determine your grades is as follows:
Grades will be given on the basis of the following final point totals:
Notes:
Class Cancellation Policy: If a class is cancelled for any reason, an alternate assignment will be posted on Blackboard in the Assignments area by 12:00 PM on the following day. The assignment will be due at the next class meeting. If bad weather is expected, please call the Loyola Inclement Weather Hotline on x2223. Honor Code: All students of the College are expected to understand the meaning of the Loyola College Honor Code. Ignorance of the Code is not a valid reason for committing an act of academic dishonesty. The following will constitute violations of the Code and are defined in the Community Standards Handbook: cheating, stealing, lying, forgery, plagiarism, and the failure to report a violation.
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