Semester: Fall 2013
Course Prefix/Number: COP4710
COURSE SYLLABUS
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 Corequisites: 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
1

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, 2 nd
Ed.
(2011) by Bagui and Earp.
ISBN: 9781439861769.

Practical Guide to Using SQL in Oracle (2008) by Earp and Bagui. Wordware
Publishing. ISBN: 1598220632.
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.


Grading:
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.
Mid-term
Final exam
SQL Homework
Other homework
Project
15%
15%
36%
24%
10%
2

Technology Requirements:
All programming assignments and the project will required using Oracle (or Access, for IT 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
11/1.
Students requesting late withdrawal (W or WF) from class must have the approval of the advisor, 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.
3

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.
You are expected to complete work on schedule. Deadlines are part of the real world environment you are being prepared for.
2.
Documentation of health or family problems may be required.
3.
Late assignments will not be accepted.
4

Tentative Schedule:
WEEK # WEEK OF
1 08/25/13
TOPIC
Introduction to Databases/Overview/Orientation –
Unix, SQL how to sessions.
Powerpoint notes 1 & 2
– posted on elearning.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
09/01/13 The Basic ER Diagram
Readings – ER Design book ch 4, Oracle Ch1
09/08/13 Beyond the First Entity Diagram
Readings – ER Design book ch 5, Oracle ch1
09/15/13 Extending Relationship/Structural Constraints
Readings – ER Design book ch 6, Oracle ch2
09/22/13 The Weak Entity
Readings – ER Design book ch 7, Oracle ch3
09/29/13 The Relational Model
Readings – ER Design book ch 3, Oracle ch4
10/06/13 Further Extensions for ER Diagrams with Binary
Relationships
Readings – ER Design book ch 6, Oracle ch4
10/13/13 Midterm/Start project
PROJECT
Read PP notes 1 and 2
Introduce yourself
Log into Oracle and look around
Watch Dia Elluminate recording
ER Ch 4 Assignment due
Oracle Ch 1 exercises due
ER Ch 5 Assignment due
Oracle Ch 2 exercises due
Oracle Ch 3 exercises due
ER Ch 6 Assignment due
ER Ch 7 Assignment due
Oracle Ch 4 exercises due
ER Ch 8 Assignment due
9
10
11
10/20/13 Generalizations and Specializations
Readings – ER Design book Ch 10, Oracle ch5
Project Work
10/27/13 Reverse Engineering
Readings – ER Design book Ch 11, Oracle ch6
Project Work
Sample midterm due
Midterm due
Oracle Ch 5 exercises due
Project part I due
Oracle Ch 6 exercises due
ER Ch 11 Assignment due
Project part II due
Oracle Ch 7 exercises due
Other DB theory assignments may be due
12
13
14
15
16
11/03/13 The relational model; Functional dependencies;
Normalization
Readings – ER Design book Ch 3, Oracle ch7
Project Work
11/10/13 Relational Algebra; Functional dependencies;
Normalization
Readings – Oracle ch8
Project Work
11/17/13 The relational model; Relational Algebra;
Functional dependencies; Normalization
Readings –Oracle ch10
Presentations/Review
Project Work
Summary of research paper
11/24/13 Extra topics; Work on projects
12/01/13 Extra topics; Finalize projects
12/08/13 Final exam (comprehensive)
Oracle Ch 8 exercises due
Other DB theory assignments may be due
Oracle Ch 10 exercises due
Project Part III due
Other DB theory assignments may be due
Project part IV due
Practice final due
Final due
5