Database I
INLS 256-01, Spring 2001
Monday and Wednesday, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm., 208 Manning Hall
School of Information and Library Science
Instructor:
Sheila O. Denn
Office:
303 Manning Hall
Phone:
966-3589 (Doctoral Student Office) Email:
denns@ils.unc.edu
942-0781 (Home) Office
Hours: Tuesdays
11:00 -12:15
Wednesdays 1:00 - 2:15
and by appointment
Course Outline and Objectives
Class Policies and Grading
Schedule
Resources
Outline
Objectives
Class Policies
I will always be prepared for class and will start class on time. If unforeseeable circumstances prevent this for any reason, I will try to notify you beforehand if at all possible. I expect the same of my students: be prepared for class, be ready to start class on time, and try to let me know if you can't be there.
You are expected and encouraged to participate in discussions. This can occur either in class or via the class listserv.
This is a database design course, not an Access 2000 course. While you will use Access 2000 to complete your labs, I will not be teaching you how to use the software. You will be expected to learn how to use Access 2000 mostly on your own, although we will devote one class period to an overview of the functions that are most relevant to the labs you will be doing, and the TA will be doing some special out-of-class help sessions on particular issues relating to using Access as the semester progresses. Please see the Resources section below for pointers to workshops and other materials for learning Access 2000.
Reading assignments should be done before the class for which they are assigned so you can ask questions and participate in discussions. The textbook is not light reading. You may find it easier to skim the reading before class and then read it again in more detail after we have discussed it. If you do this, do not skip the second reading.
Assignments must be turned in (or moved to the appropriate subdirectory on the network) at the beginning of the class in which they are due. There will be a 10-point penalty assessed for each class period past the due date, unless you have either a) an emergency of some sort or b) you have discussed the situation with me before the due date. The more advanced warning I get, the more flexible I will be.
If there is something you don't understand, please ask about it! If you don't want to ask during class, you may ask me during office hours, come see me at some other time, post your question to the listserv, or ask me over email. Your classmates may well be your best resource for Access 2000 questions.
With the exception of Lab 1, all assignments and labs are to be completed individually. You are, however, encouraged to talk to one another about Access 2000 issues of a general nature (for example, for questions like "How do I do <fill in the blank> in Access?").
Please be sure to subscribe to the class listserv. If you are using the web, connect to lyris.unc.edu and search for INLS256_001. Click the "Join" button and follow the directions. If you would like to subscribe via email, send a message to listserv.unc.edu with no subject. In the message body, type "subscribe INLS256_001 jane doe", substituting your name. When you send a message to the listserv, you will send it to INLS256_001@listserv.unc.edu
Honor Code: The principles of academic honesty, integrity, and responsible citizenship govern the performance of all academic work and student conduct at the University as they have during the long life of this institution. Your acceptance of enrollment in the University presupposes a commitment to the principles embodied in the Code of Student Conduct and a respect for this most significant Carolina tradition. Your reward is in the practice of these principles. Your participation in this course comes with the expectation that your work will be completed in full observance of the Honor Code. Academic dishonesty in any form is unacceptable, because any breach in academic integrity, however small, strikes destructively at the University's life and work. (From the 8/1/1992 letter to the faculty, signed by Paul Hardin, Chancellor, and John Moody, Student Body President.)
SILS Resources: You will be using SILS library and lab material during the course of the semester. Please remember that many of your fellow students also need to use the same material. Follow the proper checkout procedures and return materials promptly to be a good SILS citizen. (SILS Information Resources Committee)
I will have regularly scheduled office hours as listed at the top of the page. I can help you with any difficulties you are having with course content, assignments, using Access, etc. You are free to contact me as well if you are having other problems, such as difficulties with deadlines, questions about grades, or other administrative issues. If my office hours are not convenient for you, the best way to reach me is to contact me by email to set up a specific time, but you can also try to catch me in the doctoral student office (303 Manning) or give me a call at home.
Grading
Assignments:
28%
A1 7%
A2 7%
A3 7%
A4 7%
Labs:
42%
L1 7%
L2 10%
L3 10%
L4 15%
Take-Home Final Exam: 30%
All assignments will be graded on the following scale:
H 95-100
P+ 90-94
P 85-89
P- 80-84
L 70-79
F 69 and below
Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 21 Days. The complete book online, but you'll have to register on the site in order to read it (it's free).
Special Edition: Using Microsoft Access 2000. The complete book online.
Microsoft Media Order Page at the Ram Shop. Students can purchase Microsoft Office 2000 Professional (which includes Access 2000) for $6.00 from the Ram Shop.
Access 2000 Workshops Offered by ATN. This page describes the workshops offered by ATN in Access 2000. All of these workshops are free, but they do fill up quickly. I would strongly encourage you to attend one or more of these workshops to learn about how to work with Access. In addition, there is information on this page about Computer-Based Training (CBT) modules for Access. These are probably a little more basic than most of you will want, but they are also free and can be used from any computer on the campus network.
Jose's Database Programming Corner - The Relational Database Model. A nice page if you're looking for supplementary material about the relational model.
Overview of the Relational Model. Another nice overview of the relational model.
webreview.com - Common Database Mistakes. A checklist of common mistakes in database design.
General Database Resources - Tips and Tutorials - Database Central. At the top it says the document wasn't found, but then the list of links is underneath. Go figure. ;) A list of links to a wide range of web resources for database design.
DB Checklist. This is a checklist you can use as you are completing your labs to help you determine if you have completed all the steps.
Company ER Diagram. This diagram represents the same situation as Fig. 3.2 (p. 46) in the textbook, but using the notation I will expect you to learn and to use for ER diagrams that you turn in for this course.
Steps for Converting an E-R Diagram into a Relational Database Schema. These are the same steps as those given in the text, but without the formal notation and including examples from the Company database.
Notes on B+ Trees. These notes expand a bit on what we cover in class, and provide a couple more examples.
This page was last modified on January 10, 2001, by Sheila O.
Denn. Address questions and comments about this page to her at denns@ils.unc.edu
© Sheila O. Denn and Stephanie W. Haas