Course Syllabus

You can locate on this page information related to the following topics:

• Course Description
• Course Objectives
• Required Materials
• Learning/Assessment Activities
• Grades
• Course Philosophy
• Accomodation of Disabilities
• Ethical Conduct

Course Description

A study of database design, data structures, and database development in a business environment

Course Prerequisite: IS 310 and IS 304 (2006-2007 catalog) or IS 314 (before 2006)

Course Objectives

1. To enable students to design, implement and manipulate a relational database
2. To give students an understanding of the fundamental concepts in relational theory
3. To introduce students to ethics in business as applied through information systems
4. To give students a working knowledge of Oracle SQL Developer
5. To develop skills in the use of Structured Query Language

Required Materials

Textbooks

Title: Data Management: Databases and Organizations(5th ed)
Author: Watson
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2006

Title: Oracle Database 11g SQL
Author: Price
Publisher: Oracle Press, 2008

Hardware

Per the COB Laptop Initiative, you are required to bring a properly configurable laptop to class.

You can configure the wireless connection prior to class using the following directions:

1. http://www.uwec.edu/help/WinXP/wireless.htm

2. http://www.uwec.edu/help/WinVA/wireless.htm

Software

The Oracle SQL Developer database management system will be used. You can download to your PC the free Oracle interface from the Oracle site (http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/sql/index_archive151.html).

Note: Your user schema (where all your Oracle data is actually saved) is on a UWEC server. The Oracle download just provides you with the software interface to the Oracle server. Therefore, you will still need to VPN into the university in order to work on your Oracle assignments from off campus. Get more information and installation instructions from the LTS Help Desk (https://www.uwec.edu/help/General/vpn-faq.htm).

You can download free software from http://msdn06.e-academy.com/elms/Storefront/Home.aspx?campus=wiscec_mis

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Learning/Assessment Activities

You can engage in active learning through the following course components:

Discussion and Lecture: Discussion is purposely listed first here. We all learn from each other. My "lecture" mode involves identifying the "what" and then having you define the "why," or vice-versa. Discussions/lectures are based on the textbook and current readings, both from trade and research journals.

"Your Turn" Activities: You will notice that about every 3-5 slides in the PowerPoint presentation will be a "Your Turn" challenge to apply the concepts/skills to a new situation. Students in the past have found these brief, in-class activities to be very valuable in enhancing their learning. The "Your Turn" activities cover different level of skills to provide you with two types of benefits: (a) success in learning—for the easier skills; (b) ability to learn through helping others in your group learn—for the more difficult skills.

Homework Assignments: Three types of homework assignments comprise 60% of your grade: individual homework assignments, group homework assignments for US-based client, group homework assignments for international client. All assignments are due by midnight on the dates assigned.

The individual homework assignments provide you with an opportunity to receive feedback on concepts/skills prior to the corresponding exams. They are scheduled on the last day we cover new content in each section of the course so that you have one class period to receive feedback on them prior to taking a related exam.

The group homework assignments are cumulative and are directly applicable to the client-based case studies (both US and international). Based on suggestions from former students, your group will submit interim, graded progress reports, similar to what you'd expect to find in your IS job. Additionally, your overall contribution to the group assignments will be evaluated by the other group members.

Both the individual and group assignments are weighted lighter for the first assignments and heavier for the later assignments to provide you with an opportunity to become familiar with my grading style and to reflect the increasing difficulty of the course content

Exams: The exams are really your opportunity to shine. They are primarily hands-on but might include key conceptual content. They demonstrate very clearly your mastery of the concepts and skills learned in this class as well as your critical thinking skills. When I provide our recruiters with suggestions for potential employees, I look at your exam scores (demonstrating your individual IS knowledge, analytical and applications-based skill abilities) and your effectiveness in working with and leading a team (demonstrating your soft-skill abilities). Our recruiters are looking for excellence in these areas, so demonstrate your excellence.

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Grades

The following assignments and exams will constitute student evaluation*:

* Components are weighted within each category.

The following grading rubrics are provided to help you learn and earn the most points. The grading rubrics are based on the required deliverables associated with each assignment.

• IS 344 Master Grading Rubric: Provides detailed grading specifications for the individual and the group assignments related to the US-Client database project
• International Project Grading Rubric: Provides detailed grading specifications for the the group assignments related to the International-Client database project

Note: group participation is a critical component of your success. Your Final Project grade is influenced (either positively or negatively) per peer evaluation of your efforts.

Course Policies: All course-related work is required to be submitted at the specified time, unless previously arranged with the instructor. Please plan your time well, using the full-course schedule provided to you on Day 1 of this class.

If you need to miss a class for any reason, please take the initiative to obtain from a classmate any notes, handouts, assignment descriptions or other materials related to that class period.

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Course Philosophy

Active student participation in real projects is the best way to learn. Therefore, you will participate actively in classroom discussion of key concepts prior to implementing those concepts in a case-study project. Business-like periodic milestone checkpoints will be used to assess project progress. Periodic exams will be used to assess understanding of concepts.

Accommodation of Disabilities

Students with disabilities are encouraged to discuss their needs with the instructor, preferably during the first week of class. All reasonable accommodations will be made to see that disabilities do not restrict a student's opportunity to learn. Help is also available from the Office for Services to Students with Disabilities (Old Library 2136, phone 715/836-4542).

Ethical Conduct

To pass this course, you are to behave in accordance with defined norms of professional ethics. In part, these include submitting assignments and arriving in class on time; doing your own work on assignments, reports, quizzes, and tests; attending all class sessions; dressing appropriately; behaving collegially; and obeying the law. Unethical behavior will be dealt with according to University policy (http://www.uwec.edu/dos/Codes/ch14.htm).