ISQS-3348: Database Management Systems, Spring 2015
Course instructor: Roozmehr Safi (r.safi@ttu.edu, Office E326, BA Building)
3:30 – 4:50 pm, TR, Jan 14th – May 12th
Room: RCOBA 00009
Tentative class schedule and other course material at: http://ta.ba.ttu.edu/rsafi/
Office hours: T, R 1:30 to 2:40 or by appointment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
About the Course:
Databases are everywhere: they are used in ecommerce, desktop applications, mobile apps,
and the list goes on and on. Knowing the fundamentals of databases is therefore key to
understanding how modern information-driven systems work. This course is designed to give
you the basic skills that you need to work with databases. The course uses a combination of
lectures, class exercises, discussions, and hands-on laboratory work.
Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, you will have developed an understanding of how
databases are designed, created, and used. The course also provides you the skills needed to
efficiently and securely maintain a databse. The emphasis will be both on the underlying
concepts and the hands-on skills. By the end of the course, you will:
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Know the significance of databse systems in business
Know the basic concepts about relational databases
Learn the SQL language
Learn how to do data modeling and how to develop ERD models
Know how to perform the physical design of a database
Know how to maintain a database and keep it secure
Get introduced to big data, data warehousing and business intelligence
Textbooks:
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Required: Database Concepts by David Kroenke and David Auer (ISBN: 978-0133544626)
7th or earlier editions.
Optional: Murach's MySQL by Joel Murach (ISBN 978-1890774684)
FORMAT AND GRADING POLICY
Exams and Quizzes:
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Questions asked on exams and quizzes come from the textbook as well as in-class
discussions. Reading the slides or class notes may not be enough for answering all exam or quiz
questions and it is necessary that you read the required textbook. If for excused reasons you
are unable to take an exam, you must inform me in advance. Only in that case will you take a
makeup test (with different questions). All exams will be cumulative.
Homework and quizzes:
Homework is designed to provide you with opportunities to deliberate on the concepts
discussed and to practice the hands-on skills taught. Homework should be completed on time
and submitted to Blackboard before the deadline specified.
You are required to come to class prepared to answer questions about the current topics
discussed in class and the homework you submitted, and to take short, unannounced quizzes.
The purpose is for you to review recent material to better grasp new material and to participate
in class discussions. There will be no makeup for quizzes; however, I will drop your lowest quiz
score.
Group project:
The group project is a major grade component. For the purpose of term projects, you will
form teams of three to four members. You will build a small database using MySQL as a databse
server. For more details, see the project handout available on the course website. All members
are required to put in an equal amount of effort. Note that your project grade depends largely
upon peer evaluation by your fellow team members.
Attendance:
Regular attendance is mandatory and key to staying on track with discussion and the course.
However, personal issues come up and attending class is sometimes difficult. You may miss up
to three (3) days of class. Absences are excused only at the discretion of the instructor and with
the provision of the needed documents of proof submitted no later than 24 hours after the
missed class. Please let me know in advance if you need to leave the class early to avoid being
marked absent. Remember that it is solely your responsibility to make sure that you have
signed the sign-in sheet in class.
Research Participation (Optional):
You have the option of earning up to two extra points by participating in the Rawls Student
Research Program (RSRP). The purpose is to introduce you to the research being conducted in
your college.
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OTHER POLICIES
Academic Integrity:
Your reputational capital is the greatest asset you will bring to your professional life. It is
hard to gain, too easy to tarnish, and nearly impossible to recover. “Academic dishonesty"
includes, but is not limited to, cheating (copying someone else’s writing), plagiarism (trying to
pass off someone else’s ideas or writings as your own or not properly citing the owner of a
writing or idea in your work), collusion (e.g., working in a group to do assignments that are
asked to be done individually), and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to you.
The Texas Tech University Code of Student Conduct is in force during all elements of this
course. Students violating any portion of the Academic Code will be prosecuted to the fullest
extent provided by the University. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, students will be
treated as trustworthy, just, and honest.
Civility in the Classroom:
You are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to
learning. Unless otherwise approved by the instructor, you are prohibited from using smart
phones, eating, reading or working on material unrelated to class discussion, or engaging in any
other form of distraction. Inappropriate behavior in the classroom shall result in, minimally, a
request to leave class.
The use of computers is acceptable as long as it is for note taking or working on in-class
exercises. If you use your computer for any other purpose, you will be banned from using it for
the remainder of the semester.
Communication with Students and Office Hours:
I have set aside more than two hours of “office hours” each week to meet with students. I
can also meet you by appointment. Please make sure to notify me in advance if you want to
drop by my office outside office hours.
I check my email on a regular basis. On weekdays I answer your emails typically within 24
hours.
Students with Disabilities:
Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet
the course requirements should contact me as soon as possible to make any necessary
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arrangements but for that you should also present appropriate verification from Student
Disability Services during my office hours or via email. For additional information, you may
contact the Student Disability Services office in 335 West Hall or 806-742-2405.
Religious Holidays:
If you intend to observe a religious holy day, you should make that intention known in writing
to me prior to the absence. In that case you shall be allowed to take an exam or complete an
assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence.
Grading breakdown:
Module
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Exam 3:
Exam 4:
Group project:
Homework and in-class exercises
Points
15
15
15
15
25
15
100
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TOTAL
RSRP
Grading Scale:
100% - 97% A+
96% - 94% A
93% - 90% A89% - 87% B+
86% - 83% B
82% - 80% B-
79% - 77% C+
76% - 73% C
72% - 70% C69% - 66% D
Less than 60: F
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