BCIS 4660
SPING 2016
Dr. Becker
EXAM 1 (Midterm) STUDY GUIDE
Objectives of the first part of BCIS 4660
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Understand the design of Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS)
o Definitions of relational terms (cardinalities (maximum and minimum), keys,
indexes, etc.); Becker’s Rules 1 & 2.
o Table Normal Forms, especially 1NF, 2NF, 3NF, and 4NF
o QBE (query design) Views, SQL, DDLs, DMLs, Queries vs. Views, Relations and
Relation Lists
o Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL)
Understand how to use SQL and be able to form SELECT, DELETE, UPDATE, and
MAKE TABLE queries. Data Manipulation Language (DML) components
Understand the Data Definition Language (DDL) components: CREATE, DROP,
ALTER:
o TABLES
o Indexes
o Views and Queries
Understand the design issues in Data Warehousing and the components of the Star
schema. Dimensions and Fact Tables, ETL
Become very familiar with the user-friendly RDBMS software -- ACCESS.
Format and time constraints for Exam 1
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100 multiple-choice questions, covering “modest” theory, concepts, SQL syntax,
relational algebra, star schemas, data transformation procedures, and the material of
Homework assignments 1-5. Closed books and notes. Midterm Exam time is 110
minutes. 120 points. May include BONUS questions.
Study Material
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Midterm Exam is COMPREHENSIVE through Class 6.2 (Includes Adamson 1 & 2)!
Textbook, Handouts, Website materials, & ACCESS:
o Pratt & Last: Chapters 1-6.
 Focus on ACCESS, SQL, Normalization, “Good” tables/relations
o Jukic Chapter 2 (on my website): ERDPlus software.
o Adamson & Venerable Handouts: Chapters 1 & 2; especially the lecture slides
for Adamson & Venerable study materials and the Hints and Tips for Homeworks
5 & 6 as well as any other Homework Hints and Tips Handouts. Focus on Star
Diagram Models and Data Warehousing Techniques, especially ETL
Handouts: Study all PowerPoint presentations and other handouts.
Homework problems: HW1, HW2, HW3, HW4, HW5
Practice Exam: This will be posted on website (or distributed in class) and contains 20+
multiple choice questions.
Good Luck!!!  Dr. B.