COURSE SYLLABUS
Semester: Fall 2012
Course Prefix/Number: COP4710
Course Title: Database Systems
Course Credit Hours: 3.0
Course Meeting Times/Places: Online Campus
Instructor and Contact Information:
Patrick Brooks
E-mail: pbrooks1@uwf.edu
Cell: 678-427-4722
Virtual Office Hours: W 5:00PM – 7:00PM and by appointment.
Course Web Site: http://elearning.uwf.edu/ (login and select COP4710)
Prerequisites or Co-requisites: Any programming course.
Course Description:
Introduction to database systems and database management system architectures. Various
database models are discussed with an emphasis on the relational model and relational database
design. Case applications using SQL are included.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Understand the uses of a database system
- Understand the differences between relational/hierarchical/network databases
- Develop ER models
- Develop Enhanced ER models
- Map ER and EER to relational tables
- Reverse engineering
- Use relational algebra and relational calculus
- Understand and develop a database using a relational data model
- Develop a normalized database
- Use SQL proficiently – expressive power of SQL, joins, views, derived tables,
sorting, aggregation, nested sub-queries
- Do query optimization
Topics Covered:
Characteristics of the Database approach, Database Systems Concepts and Architectures,
Conceptual Database design, Data Modeling Using Entity-Relationship Models, Enhanced
Entity-Relationship and UML Modeling, The Relational Data Model and Relational Database
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Constraints, Relational Algebra and Tuple relational Calculus, Relational Database Design by
ER and EER-to-Relational Mapping, Functional Dependencies, Normalization for Relational
Databases, SQL – expressive power of SQL, joins, views, derived tables, sorting, aggregation,
nested sub-queries, query optimization.
Required Textbook(s):
 Database Design Using Entity-Relationship Diagrams, 2nd Ed. (2011) by Bagui and Earp.
ISBN: 9781439861769.
 Practical Guide to Using SQL in Oracle (2008) by Earp and Bagui. Wordware
Publishing. ISBN: 1598220632.
or:
 SQL: Essentials in Access (2009) by Bagui. Linus Publications Inc *For IT majors only,
as an option instead of the Oracle text.
***For the above texts, if you are an IT major (let me know if this is the case!), you
have the option of using either Access or Oracle. Everyone else must use Oracle.
References:
Oracle’s site: http://www.oracle.com
Book database download site: http://www.cs.uwf.edu/~sbagui/
About this Course:
This course is delivered completely online. You must have consistent access to the Internet.
Learning at a distance may be a very different environment for many of you. You will set your
own schedules, participate in class activities at your convenience, and work at your own pace.
You may require some additional time online during the first few days while you become
acclimated to the online format and you may even feel overwhelmed at times. It will get better.
You should be prepared to spend more than 8 – 10 hours per week online completing lessons,
activities, and participating in class discussions. Finally, you may want to incorporate these tips
to help you get started:

Set a time at least twice a week (schedule) to:
o Check elearning postings to determine your tasks.
o Check elearning frequently throughout the week for updates.

Within the first week, become familiar with elearning and how to use it.
o It is a tool to help you learn!

Ask questions when you need answers.
o If you have problems, contact your instructor early.
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Grading:
Mid-term
Final exam
SQL Homework
Other homework
Project
15%
15%
36%
24%
10%
Technology Requirements:
All programming assignments and the project will required using Oracle (or Access, for IT/CIS
students) on the Linux/Unix environment. This environment is available in the SAIL lab in
building 79 as well as the multi-platform lab in building 4, or you may download and use it on
your personal computer. You will be given instructions on getting started with Oracle on the
Linux/Unix environment.
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:
Academic Conduct Policy: (Web Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
Plagiarism Policy: (Word Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
Student Handbook: (PDF Format)
ASSISTANCE:
Students with special needs who require specific examination-related or other course-related
accommodations should contact the Director of Disabled Student Services (DSS), dss@uwf.edu,
(850) 474-2387. DSS will provide the student with a letter for the instructor that will specify any
recommended accommodations.
Other Course Policies:
Class material and due dates: Students are responsible for all announcements and all material
presented. Students are expected to keep up with due dates and submit all assignments and work
into the elearning dropbox before the due date.
Communication: You are responsible for checking your e-mail and the elearning site regularly,
preferably once a day, to keep up with important announcements, assignments, etc.
Exams: Makeup exams will NOT be given except with a serious, documented medical or legal
excuse. No makeups will be given unless students make advance arrangements. The mid-term
and final exams are comprehensive.
Re-grading Assignments: It is the student’s responsibility to check graded assignments/tests
when they are returned to the student. I will gladly re-grade an assignment/test when a question
or mistake is brought to my attention. To ensure fairness, I reserve the right to re-grade the entire
assignment/test. As a result, your grade may increase, decrease, or remain the same. Grades will
not be changed after a week from the date graded assignments/tests are returned to the class.
Grades: Final grades will be calculated using a standard grade distribution. The last day of the
term for withdrawal from an individual course with an automatic grade of “W” is 11/2. Students
requesting late withdrawal (W or WF) from class must have the approval of the advisor,
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instructor, and the department chairperson (in that order) and finally by the Academic Appeals
committee. Requests for late withdraws may be approved only for the following reasons (which
must be documented):
1. A death in the immediate family.
2. Serious illness of the student or an immediate family member.
3. A situation deemed similar to categories 1 and 2 by all in the approval process.
4. Withdrawal due to Military Service (Florida Statute 1004.07)
5. National Guard Troops Ordered into Active Service (Florida Statute 250.482)
Requests without documentation will not be accepted. Requests for late withdrawal simply for
not succeeding in a course, do not meet the criteria for approval and will not be approved.
Applying for an incomplete or “I” grade will be considered only if: (1) there are extenuating
circumstances to warrant it, AND (2) you have a passing grade and have completed at least 70%
of the course work, AND (3) approval of the department chair.
Participation and Feedback: I encourage active participation and regular feedback. I believe
that effective communication between the instructor and students will make the course more
useful, interesting, and productive. Please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or
suggestions! 
Important Note: Any changes to the syllabus or schedule made during the semester take
precedence over this version. Check the elearning site (or email) regularly for up-to-date
information.
Overall Grading Scale:
A : 93 - 100
A-: 90 – 92.999
B+: 87 – 89.999
B : 82 – 86.999
B- : 79 – 81.999
C+: 77 – 78.999
C : 72 – 76.999
C-: 69 - 71.999
D+: 67 - 68.999
D: 59 - 66.999
F: 0 - 58.999
Late Policy:
1.
2.
3.
You are expected to complete work on schedule. Deadlines are part of the real
world environment you are being prepared for.
Documentation of health or family problems may be required.
Late assignments will not be accepted.
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Tentative Schedule: (note: I'm still working this out, so this will change).
WEEK #
1
WEEK OF
08/27/12
2
09/03/12
3
09/10/12
4
09/17/12
5
09/24/12
6
10/01/12
7
10/08/12
8
9
10/15/12
10/22/12
10
10/29/12
11
11/05/12
12
11/12/12
13
11/19/12
14
15
16
11/26/12
12/03/12
12/10/12
TOPIC
Introduction to Databases/Overview/Orientation –
Unix, SQL how to sessions.
Powerpoint notes 1 & 2 – posted on elearning.
The Basic ER Diagram
Readings – ER Design book ch 2, Oracle Ch1
Beyond the First Entity Diagram
Readings – ER Design book ch 3, Oracle ch1
Extending Relationship/Structural Constraints
Readings – ER Design book ch 4, Oracle ch2
The Weak Entity
Readings – ER Design book ch 5, Oracle ch3
The Relational Model
Readings – ER Design book ch 1, Oracle ch4
Further Extensions for ER Diagrams with Binary
Relationships
Readings – ER Design book ch 6, Oracle ch4
Midterm/Start project
Generalizations and Specializations
Readings – ER Design book Ch 8, Oracle ch5
Project Work
Reverse Engineering
Readings – ER Design book Ch 9, Oracle ch6
Project Work
Collect research papers on DB
The relational model; Functional dependencies;
Normalization
Readings – ER Design book Ch 1, Oracle ch7
Project Work
Relational Algebra; Functional dependencies;
Normalization
Readings – ER Design book Ch 1, Oracle ch8
Project Work
The relational model; Relational Algebra;
Functional dependencies; Normalization
Readings – ER Design book Ch 1, Oracle ch10
Presentations/Review
Project Work
Summary of research paper
Extra topics; Work on projects
Extra topics; Finalize projects
Final exam (comprehensive)
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PROJECT
Start using Oracle on the
Linux/Unix environment
ER Ch2 Assignment due
Oracle Ch 1 exercises due
ER Ch3 Assignment due
Oracle Ch 2 exercises due
Oracle Ch 3 exercises due
ER Ch 4 Assignment due
ER Ch 5 Assignment due
Oracle Ch 4 exercises due
ER Ch 6 Assignment due
Oracle Ch 5 exercises due
Oracle Ch 6 exercises due
ER Ch 9 Assignment due
Research papers due
Oracle Ch 7 exercises due
Other DB theory assignments
may be due
Oracle Ch 8 exercises due
Other DB theory assignments
may be due
Oracle Ch 10 exercises due
Other DB theory assignments
may be due
Summary of research paper –
due
Project due