The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The Bryan School of Business and Economics
Department of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management
ISM 218-01 - Database Systems
Fall 2015 Syllabus
Instructor
Minoo Modaresnezhad / Al Salam
Classroom
SOEB 208
Time
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Office
Bryan 483
Appointment Time
Mondays and Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. or schedule any other appointment time by email.
E-Mail
m_modare@uncg.edu / amsalam@uncg.edu
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Study of database management systems including their design, implementation, query, and use. Topics
include an extensive case study requiring development of a multiple table database system for
organizational needs (Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ISM 110 or equivalent).
Why Learn About Database Systems?
Databases (DB) are incredibly dominant-- DB underlie technology used by most people every day if
not every hour. Developing virtually every information systems (IS) involves the design and
implementation of a new DB or the use of an existing DB. Databases are crucial component behind
websites, banking systems, video games, and any other software systems or electronic devices that hold
some amount of data. Understanding the fundamental concepts of DB systems and the basic knowledge
of database management systems (DBMS) is a critical first step in your future careers as either users or
developers of IS of any kind.
This is a general course about data and data management, and its intent is to assure your basic
understanding of DB and DBMS. No explicit prior knowledge of the subject is required for this course.
Students enter this course with widely varying backgrounds in terms of education, business experience,
and technology knowledge. Some of you may find that they have more knowledge of particular areas
than is required for the course. I ask you to be patient if you encounter this situation.
The objectives of this course are two-fold
 Creating general understanding of data, database systems, and database systems management
and providing an introduction to the design of relational databases through the use of EntityRelationship Diagrams and Normalization procedures;
 Developing basic skills in the use of SQL in defining and creating a database, inserting and
modifying entries in a table, and manipulating the database to produce useful decision making
information for management.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to
 Develop and implement a sound data model for a business data system;
 Design, implement, and use a relational database;
 Apply SQL to create queries, generate reports, and administer a database;
 Evaluate the ways database systems are used in various types of business.
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REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS, MATERIALS, AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Required references
1. Oppel, A. (2011). Databases DeMYSTiFieD, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 978-0-07-174799-8 (DBsD)
2. Oppel A. (2005). SQL DeMYSTiFieD. ISBN: 978-0-07-226224-7 (SQLD).
3. w3schools.com
Optional references
1. A First Course in Database Systems (3rd edition) by Ullman and Widom (same material and
sections as Database Systems: The Complete Book (2nd edition) by Garcia-Molina, Ullman,
and Widom)
2. Database Management Systems (3rd edition) by Ramakrishnan and Gehrke
3. Fundamentals of Database Systems (6th edition) by Elmasri and Navathe
4. Database System Concepts (6th edition) by Silberschatz, Korth, and Sudarshan
Canvas Class Management System (https://courses.uncg.edu/log-in/)
You should be familiar with Canvas. It will be used for announcements and updates, distributing
materials and administering quizzes. I expect you to check Canvas daily.
iSpartan email and calendar
Most individual communications outside classroom will be done through email. I expect you to check
your iSpartan email daily. I encourage you to email me immediately whenever you feel you need help.
I will try to answer your emails within a 1 business day. Please check Email Etiquette section on the
last page of this syllabus for appropriate conduct.
MySQL account (baeism2.uncg.edu/sql)
This will be your primary free working environment. I will provide you with your access credentials by
email during the first week of the course. You should have a computer with a functioning internet
connection, know your usernames and passwords and be able to connect to and remain connected to the
UNCG network, especially during the tests. I expect you to bring your computers (laptops or tablets) to
every class.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY AND ASSESSMENT
This class will be based on readings and online videos, in-class exercises and discussions, quizzes, and
project related assignments. Feel free to keep notes in any format convenient to you. All deliverables
are due at the BEGINNING of the class period, on the scheduled due date. It is the student’s
responsibility to be aware of deliverable due dates. Make-up assignments will not be given. Late
submissions will not be accepted. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor
promptly (in advance if possible) of any issue that may impact the completion of any work by the
scheduled completion date. Additional instructions for the project and topic commentaries will be
provided later in the course.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes, to arrive on time, and to stay until dismissed. . Tardiness
disrupts other students and interrupts the flow of the class. Each session, students work in groups on a
mini-case which will be part of Midterm and Final Exams. When absent, it is the student’s
responsibility to ascertain missed information, including special announcements.
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In-class Activities
In-class time will be dedicated primarily to clarify the course materials, to discuss the key concepts,
and to practice. Therefore, I expect you to come to each lecture having read the chapter(s) assigned for
that day. Each week students will be randomly assigned to a group of 3 or 4 to work on in-class minicases which count for 10% of the final grade. These cases are to practice and work on the key concepts
discussed each session.
Quizzes and Exams
Quizzes and Exams are both online and written entries. A part of some exams will be individually
completed outside of the class period. It is the responsibility of the student to properly complete all
information as requested. Make-up quizzes and exams will NOT be given. If you have a valid
excuse for missing an exam (illness, death in the immediate family – no work related excuses) contact
the instructor BEFORE the exam to make special arrangements and bring an appropriate note from
your physician, clergy, etc. Additional instructions for exams will be provided later in the course.
Group Projects
Each student will be assigned to a group of four or five to work on their assigned project. All
deliverables regarding projects are due at the beginning of the class period, on the scheduled due date.
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of deliverable due dates. Late submissions will not be
accepted. Additional instructions for the project will be provided later in the course.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION CONTENT
In today’s world, issues relating to ethics, demographic diversity, global, political, social, legal,
regulatory, and environmental perspectives are prominently intertwined within the business and
technology field. These areas will be discussed as they arise in the context of the readings and
assignments. Written reports may be required and will be expected to be of very high quality in terms
of content, format, and organization. Students will be expected to follow all guidelines in creating the
format of reports.
Course Evaluation
Each student will be asked to complete an on-line course evaluation near the end of the course. This
evaluation is important to the instructor and the university in our efforts to continually improve the
delivery of our courses. Additional information about the evaluation will be provided later in the
course.
Faculty and Student Guidelines
(for complete information, see http://www.uncg.edu/bae/faculty_student_guidelines_sp07.pdf)
The administration, faculty, staff, and students of the Bryan School of Business and Economics at
UNCG are committed to professional and ethical behavior in all areas of their academic and
professional lives. The principles and expectations established in this document and the addendums
encompass many aspects of professional behavior and integrity. It is not an exhaustive list, since
change is part of life both inside and outside the university. This set of Guidelines constitutes a
statement of values and expectations; concerns and issues are still best addressed by conversations
between the individual faculty member and student. If further discussions are necessary, please contact
the faculty member’s Department Head.
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Expectations of Faculty
Faculty in the Bryan School must conform to all existing UNCG codes and policies, and their teaching
roles are of particular relevance to these Guidelines. For further details see: http://facsen.uncg.edu/.
Expectations of Students
Students in the Bryan School must conform to all existing principles found in UNCG’s Academic
Integrity Policy and the Student Code of Conduct. University students are expected to conduct
themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty. A student is subject to
penalty for academic misconduct, such as illicit possession of exams or exam materials, forgery, or
plagiarism. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work of another, as one’s own work. Discussing your
assignments with other students can be a valuable learning resource; however, each student is expected
to do their own original work. It is the student’s responsibility to prove their work is original, if
challenged. All students are required to follow the provisions of the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy
(http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/) in completing coursework. If you do not know the provisions of
the Academic Integrity Policy, make time to study it. Each student is required to sign the Academic
Integrity Pledge on all major work submitted for the course.
Disability Services
If you have any type of learning or physical disability, please contact the UNCG Office of Disability
Services in Suite 208 EUC. You must register/petition with them first. The Disability office will
contact us once your request is approved.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION / GRADING
Your grades will be based on the following allocation:
Requirements
Points toward grade
Quizzes
50
Mini-Cases
50
Commentaries (4×12.5)
50
Group Project and presentation (2×45+10)
100
Exams (2×100)
200
Total
450
Your letter grade will be based on the following distribution:
Points
Grade
Points
Grade
Points
Grade
Points
Grade
97.5-100%
A+
87.5-89.5%
B+
77.5-79.5%
C+
67.5-69.5%
D+
91.5-97.5%
A
81.5-87.5%
B
71.5-77.5%
C
61.5-67.5%
D
89.5-91.5%
A–
79.5-81.5%
B–
69.5-71.5%
C–
59.5-61.5%
D–
< 59.5%
F
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EMAIL ETIQUETTE
You are always encouraged to contact me via email with any questions or concerns that you may have.
However, I ask that you comply with the following ‘house rules’:
1. Send your email and reply to my emails from your UNCG account. Given security risks, I will not
open emails from other accounts.
2. Please use appropriate etiquette when you email and I will do the same in return:
(a) begin with a greeting;
(b) state who you are and which class you are in;
(c) end with an appropriate signature;
(d) spell-check as if you email to your future employer.
Example of appropriate email format:
‘Hi Minoo,
My name is [YOUR FULL NAME] and I am in your [NAME OF COURSE]. I have a question about
X ....
Thanks,
[YOUR NAME]’
Example of inappropriate email format resulting in no response (lack of greeting; no personal
identification; no reference to course name; no signature; spelling errors; inappropriate language):
‘Hey,
So I was wondering when you were going to post the notes?’
Proper email etiquette is extremely important in that
(a) it helps me be more efficient in helping you because I don’t lose time trying to figure out
who you are or what you are asking;
(b) it is a vital skill to have in the ‘real world’. Professional relationships necessitate
professional email correspondence. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!
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