Syllabus

1. Introduction
2. Semantic data modeling
3. Relational model
4. SQL
5. Normalization and data quality
6. Emerging technologies

Course Objectives

1. Develop a general understanding of databases, and specific understanding of the relational database model.
2. Gain experience with both the theoretical and practical aspects of database design.
3. Develop proficiency with entity-relationship modeling.
4. Be able to weigh, discuss, and justify design decisions.
5. Learn about concepts involved in database operation.
6. Gain an understanding of important ideas for databases of the future.

Additional readings are available via the Web ("[e-journal]", "[e-journal ACM DL]" or "[web]").

1. Participation
   • 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 you: be prepared for class, be ready to start class on time, and let me know if you know you won't be there. If you must miss a class session unexpectedly, get in contact with me ASAP. I do pay attention to attendance. Repeated tardiness or missed classes will affect your participation grade; you cannot participate in in-class exercises if you are not present.
   • You are encouraged and expected to be an active participant in class, including full class discussions, small group discussions and exercises, and the class list.
   • 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, noting the terms and concepts we will be discussing, and then read it again in more detail after we have discussed it. If you do this, do not skip the second reading.
   • If there is something you don't understand ask a question! If you don't want to ask during class, post it to the class list, come to my office hours, or contact me by email.
   • Participation counts for a percentage of your final grade, but there are many ways to participate. Quality of contributions is more important than sheer quantity.
2. Assignments
   • Assignments must be submitted by 12:00 noon. of the day on which they are due.
   • A late assignment will be penalized 5% for every day it is late. If you have a real problem submitting an assignment on time, please talk to me before the due date.
   • All assignments should conform to these submission instructions.
   • Pay attention to detail! Proofreading and clarity of presentation are important for information professionals.
   • Start working on assignments well in advance of the due date. It is usually a good idea to give yourself time to let your work sit for a bit, then come back to review it. I take a dim view of questions that show you are starting an assignment only 24 hours before it is due. Besides, what if I were unavailable for consultation?
   • For assignments containing models, I provide some additional Guidelines. For database assignments, you may want to consult this checklist.
3. Giving and receiving help.
   • The Honor Code, which prohibits giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the completion of assignments, is in effect in this class. The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance gives examples of actions that constitute academic dishonesty. There are some specific guidelines for this class.
   • The DB1 workshops should be done in pairs. I will assign partners for Part 2 of the Capstone Database Project. All other assignments must be done individually.
   • You may give and receive assistance regarding the use of hardware and software. For example, you may ask or answer a question such as "how do I [fill in the blank] in Access?"). A question such as "Should I have a separate table to represent cats and their information?" should be addressed to me.
   • I encourage you to discuss issues raised in class or by the readings with each other. You may also ask your classmates for clarification of class notes.
   • Individual homework assignments are to be done individually. You may consult the course readings, your notes, and even other print or web sources. (Keep in mind, however, that what you find in other sources may not be consistent with what I want you to do.) You may not consult your classmates or other people; all questions should be addressed to me.
4. Hardware and software
   • This is a database design course, not a software course. The focus of the course will be what you need to model and build, not how to model and build it. You must be comfortable with Access and a drawing tool such as Visio. Two individual assignments, ER-Visio Tutorials and Access Tutorials list tutorials you should complete early in the semester. Also see the Resources page for additional sources of help.
   • Access Database Management System
     We will be using Access 2007 this semester. If you have a CCI computer, you may obtain an update from the SILS lab. It is also loaded on the SILS lab computers.
   • You will need a graphics tool for drawing models.
     For PCs, I recommend Visio 2007 (available through the SILS lab) for creating ER diagrams.
     You may use other drawing tools, as long as they have the required elements for the ER model. In the past, some Mac users seemed pleased with Omnigraffle, which offers a discount for educational users.
     If you use a tool other than Visio, please hand in your models as pdf files or paste diagrams into .doc or .docx files.
   • Be sure you acquire the software in plenty of time for your assignments!
5. Electronic devices in class.
   • You do not need to bring your laptop to every class. For those classes for which you do need your laptop, I will remind you in advance.
   • If you plan to use your laptop to take notes, be aware that I often sketch diagrams on the board. You may want to bring paper and a writing utensil so you can copy them quickly.
   • Laptops, PDAs, and similar devices should be used only for class purposes. Unrelated activities such as reading email, IMing, surfing the web, or playing games are distracting and discourteous.
   • Please remember to turn off your cellphone before class starts.

I will send out a test message or two the first week of class. I will use the list to send out announcements. You can use the list to ask questions of the class in general, to share helpful hints about software, etc. To post to the list, you can send email to inls523_002@listerv.unc.edu, or go to the list's web page.

Assignments
The purpose of the assignments is to give you practice with specific skills and concepts.
Entity-relationship model -- given a description, draw an ER diagram: 9%
Schema -- given a description, design a relational database schema: 9%
SQL-RA -- create queries in SQL and relational algebra: 9%
Normalization -- practice in normalization: 9%

Workshops
The purpose of the workshops is

1. To provide a "warm-up assignment" for Visio and Access,
2. To provide a quick overview of ER and database concepts, which we will discuss throroughly in class, and
3. To provide working examples for the entire semester for use in class exercises.

Databases
The purpose of the database assignments is to give you practice designing, building, and using databases.
DB2 -- given a description and ER diagram, design, build, and use a database. Part 1 - 10%, Part 2 - 10%.
Capstone Project -- design and build a database starting with your own specifications.

• Part 1: Requirements and specifications - 10%
• Part 2: Design review
• Part 3: Complete database, including results of Part 2 - 20%

Participation: 10%
Attendance and participation in in-class exercises.

All grades will be computed as follows. Graduate:

• 95 - 100% H
• 90 - 94% P+
• 85 - 89% P
• 80 - 84% P-
• 70 - 79% L
• 69% and below F

• 94 - 100% A
• 90 - 93 A-
• 87 - 89 B+
• 84 - 86 B
• 80 - 83 B-
• 70 - 79 C+, C, C- as for B
• 60 - 69 D+, D, D- as for B
• 59 and below F