LIS 384K.11,
Database-Management Principles and Applications
Database-management
systems, including database architecture, design, administration, and implementation.
Evaluation and use of database-management systems for computers, with emphasis
on microcomputer-based systems.
Required
Cassel, Paul; Palmer, Pamela. Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Access 2000 in 21 Days. Indianapolis, IN: Sams; 1999. 785 p. ISBN:0-672-31292-1.
Rob, Peter; Coronel, Carlos. Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management. 4th edition. Cambridge, MA: Course Technology; 1999. 800 p. ISBN:0-7600-1090-0.
Note: It appears that, from computers located at UT-Austin, the text of the Cassel and Palmer book is available in full online from a site maintained by itknowledge.com. I cannot vouch for the completeness or accuracy of the version of the text presented at that site, and you will have to judge for yourself whether you would prefer to use the online version or have the convenience of a paper copy of the book.
Special Note on Software
I strongly recommend that you acquire your own copy of Microsoft Access XP or Microsoft Access 2000 for use on a microcomputer to which you have ready access. Please note that in order to run Access XP (or 2000), the microcomputer you use will need to be operating under Microsoft Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows ME. (Alternatives are Windows XP, Windows 2000, or version 4.0 of either Windows NT Workstation or Server. Both versions of Windows NT will—with NT Service Pack 5 or later service packs—run Access XP or 2000. Service Pack 6a for Windows NT 4.0 is available free from the Microsoft Website at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/default.asp.)
GSLIS students, like all other UT-Austin students, are eligible to purchase selected items of Microsoft software at greatly discounted prices from the UT-Austin Campus Computer Store, 210 E. 21st Street, on the UT-Austin campus (telephone 512-475-6550). The discounted items include the operating systems, Microsoft 2000 Pro, Windows ME, and Microsoft NT Workstation; they also include Microsoft Office XP and Microsoft Office 2000 Premium, which includes Access 2000. (Please note that only the "Premium" and "Professional" versions of Microsoft Office 2000 include Access 2000; the "Standard" and "Small Business" versions do not include it. For best results with MS Office 2000 you should obtain Service Release 1a; this release is available free from the Microsoft Download Center.) For further information on the discounts available, see the Webpage dealing with The University of Texas System Microsoft Campus Enterprise Agreement.
The course will be a mixture of lectures by the instructor, classroom discussions, and work in the GSLIS Information Technology Laboratory (or inyour home or office) using microcomputers. You are expected to read through the texts, to participate in the classroom discussions, and to work through the assigned exercises.
A detailed planned schedule of lecture topics and student assignments is available as LIS 384K.11 Course Schedule, Spring 2002.
You are also expected to submit an application that you, working alone, have designed and constructed. By "application" I mean a package consisting of a relational database with appropriate tables, data-entry forms, views, reports, and documentation. Your application is to be implemented in Microsoft Access 2000 unless you receive my approval, in advance, to use a different DBMS.
The application must be sufficiently complex to include at least 4 tables in normalized form, at least 2 data-entry forms, and at least 2 reports. The documentation is to include:
Though the emphasis will be on the design of your application, you must provide enough sample records in each of its tables (typically, at least 20 records) to enable queries to be answered and reports to be produced.
Your application will be due at the end of the course. It is to be submitted on a PC-compatible (i.e., Windows or DOS) diskette containing the tables, forms, views, and reports, as well as the verbal documentation (in a Microsoft Word or WordPerfect file); diagrams may be furnished on paper alone if you prefer. The verbal documentation is to be provided also on paper.
There will be three quizzes (announced in advance) during the semester. There will not be a final examination.
In order to facilitate communication among the students and between the students and the instructor, you must have access to the Internet, an email account, and access to a Web browser (e.g., Netscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer).
Your grade will be based 10% on your class participation, 60% on your performance on the three quizzes (taken together), and 30% on your database application. Grading is done "on the curve", i.e., relative to your standing among all the students in the class.
Your written work will be graded not only on content but also on style. By style I mean general appearance, spelling, sentence construction, and the quality of the organization of your material. Specifically, the grade for your documentation of your application will be derived from two component letter grades: one grade on the basis of the content, and a second grade on the basis of style. The overall grade for your documentation will be an adjusted average of these two component grades.
(Note: In writing your papers for this course, you must use a wordprocessing program; you must use the wordprocessor's spelling checker; and you are strongly encouraged to use a grammar-checking program. Please do not employ right justification of the writing line [sometimes called "full justification"].)
SCHEDULE
In Spring 2002, LIS 384K.11 will meet on Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 m., in SZB 546, with unique number 45045.
Go to Guide
to Course Materials for LIS 384K.11
Go to Course
Schedule: Database-Management Principles and Applications.
Go to Assignments
for Studying the Cassel and Palmer Text.
Go to Wyllys
Course Epitomes Webpage
Go to Wyllys
Webpage.
Go to Wyllys Faculty
Page. .
Last revised 2004 Feb 23