ISC 329 - Database Management Systems in Business

I. COURSE NUMBER AND CREDIT:

        ISC 329 - 3 S. H.

II. COURSE TITLE:

        Database Management Systems in Business

III. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

        This course stresses database applications
        development through fourth-generation programming
        techniques.  Content of the course stresses basic
        knowledge of normalization of data, data modeling,
        database methods, database design, and the use of
        databases in business.  Students will learn the
        rudiments of construction of database schemata.

IV. PREREQUISITES:

        ISC 110 and either CSC 120 or CSC 212 or permission
        of instructor.

V. JUSTIFICATION:

        This course is a required course in the proposed CIS
        minor.  The content of this course contains advanced
        techniques that are designed to take advantage of
        database capabilities and are built upon an
        assumption of the prevalence of database systems
        within the computer-using universe.  This course will
        be taught irregularly.  This course is for users of
        database managements systems unlike CSC 459 which is
        for developers and designers of database management
        systems.  Class size of 35 is expected.  The course
        is not being submitted for General Education
        certification.

VI. COURSE OBJECTIVES:

        Upon completion of this course, the student will be
        able to:
        A.  Define the components and terms used in database
            management systems (DBMS).
        B.  Describe the main features of the types of data
            models used in building databases.
        C.  Compare and contrast the advantages and
            disadvantages of linked-list, hierarchial,
            network, inverted and relational models.
        D.  Evaluate backup and recovery techniques.
        E.  Discuss the importance and responsibilities of
            the database administrator.
        F.  Discuss the relevance of data dictionary.
        G.  Given a sample business application and data,
            normalize the data, create a logical model,
            and draft appropriate schema and subschema.
        H.  Discuss the critical elements for implementing
            and maintaining a DBMS.
        I.  Evaluate the implications for integrity and
            redundancy content of distributed databases and
            databases implemented on single user systems.
        J.  Use the query languages of a DBMS.

VII. COURSE OUTLINE:

        A.  Overview            
            1.  Data and reality            
            2.  Concepts of an information structure                
		a.  Entities                
		b.  Attributes                
		c.  Values            
	    3.  Views of data
            4.  Database development and the system life
                cycle
            5.  Database issues
            6.  Files vs. databases:  advantages &
                disadvantages
        B.  Elements of Database Systems
            1.  Techniques and procedures in a database
                environment
            2.  Database management systems
                a.  Data dictionary
                b.  Data Definition Language
                c.  Query languages
                d.  Report generators
                e.  Security, Integrity, and Recovery
                    Functions
            3.  Database Application Software
        C.  Data Modeling
            1.  Phases of database design
                a.  Information requirements phase
                b.  Logical database design phase
                c.  Physical database design phase
            2.  Semantic Database Model
            3.  Entity-Relationship Model
        D.  Framework for Database System Design
            1.  ANSI/X3/SPARC Report
            2.  Views of Data in Database Systems
        E.  Relational Database Model
            1.  Basic concepts
            2.  Entity relationships
        F.  Relational Query Languages
            1.  Data manipulation using a SQL or QUEL
                language
            2.  Data manipulation using a relational graphic
                language like QBE
        G.  CODASYL Model
        H.  Normalized Database Design
        I.  Technical Aspects of Database Administration
            1.  Data dictionary systems
            2.  Database security
            3.  Database recovery
        J.  Managerial Aspects of Database Administration
        K.  Trends in Database Management
        L.  Database Selection and Acquisition

VIII. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

        The instructional methods used in conducting the
        course include:  lectures, discussion, and classroom
        demonstration.

IX. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

        Students in the course are expected to complete:
        assigned readings, papers, and projects.

X. MEANS OF EVALUATION:

        Students' competencies with respect to the objectives
        of this course will be evaluated by the following
        means:  papers, projects, and examinations.

XI. RESOURCES:

        No additional resources necessary.

XII. BIBLIOGRAPHY:

        
	Adamski, Joseph J., Charles Hommel, and Kathleen T. Finnegan.  New Perspectives 
	   on Microsoft Access 2000 Comprehensive.
	   Cambridge, MA: Course Technology, 1999. 

          


	Kroenke, David M.  Database Processing: Fundamentals, Design & Implementation,
	   Seventh Edition.  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000.

	
	McFadden, Fred R., Jeffrey A. Hoffer & Mary B. Prescott. Modern Database
           Management 5th edition. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1999.
        
	
	Rob, Peter and Carlos Coronel.  Database Systems: Design, Imp;ementation and Management
	   4th edition.  Cambridge, MA: Course Technology, 2000.


	Slusky, Ludwig. Cases in Database Design. St. Louis:
           Times Mirror/Mosby College Publishing, 1988.
        


	Sunderraman, Rajshekhar.  ORACLE Programming: A Primer.  Reading, MA:
	   Addison-Wesley, 1999.