CIS2002 Database Design

CIS	2002	74407	1, 2008	ONC	Database Design	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOBUS
Academic org:	FOB005
Student contribution band:	2
ASCED code:	020303

Staffing
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Glen Van Der Vyver

OTHER REQUISITES

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to USQConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm

RATIONALE

An essential component of a successful information system is usually a well designed and efficient database. It is important for those who wish to become information systems practitioners to have a sound understanding of current database trends and techniques. Furthermore, it is of crucial importance that information systems practitioners build sound skills in data modelling, normalisation and communication with stakeholders, and are able to apply these skills to the design of a wide range of databases, in particular commercial databases. These skills are also amongst those that have also been recognised as a high priority skills in the IT industry and are part of the core set of skills required for those who seek careers in areas such as business analysis, systems analysis and business architecture.

SYNOPSIS

This course introduces students to relational database theory and design. Practical methodologies for data analysis, data modelling and database design are examined, coupled with a detailed study of the relational database model. Students will build practical skills in data modelling, normalisation and database design. Students will also be exposed to a range of topics in database theory and current database trends. The course presents these topics within a framework that focuses on developing business problem-solving and communication skills.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item/s that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective is/are shown in parentheses after each objective. On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1.: describe, use and apply data analysis and modelling techniques, including ER diagramming and normalisation, and derive a relational database design (Practical Tests, Examination)
2.: demonstrate an ability to analyse and justify database designs, with clear verbal and written statements of any assumptions about the data (Practical Tests, Examination)
3.: demonstrate an ability to understand and make use of a variety of forms of business communication in the design process (Practical Tests, Examination)
4.: demonstrate an understanding of current database theory and trends (Assignment, Examination)
5.: use data analysis, modelling and normalization techniques to analyse and solve information systems and business problems (Assignment, Examination).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Database theory 1.1. The database environment 1.2. Database trends and techniques	35.00
2.	Database design 2.1. Data model 2.2. Data analysis 2.3. Relational model 2.4. E.R. diagramming 2.5. Normalisation	65.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

CIS2002 study package available from the USQ Bookshop.

D'Orazio, R & Happel, G 1996, Practical data modelling for database design, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Queensland.

Hoffer, J, Prescott, B & McFadden, F 2007, Modern database management, 8th edn, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Lahey, H 2000, Information systems developers handbook: a road map for students, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland.
(This handbook is available on the USQ website at http://www.usq.edu.au/business/infosys/isdevelhandbook.htm)

Summers, J & Smith, B 2006, Communication skills handbook: how to succeed in written and oral communication, 2nd edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Queensland.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Date, CJ 2004, An introduction to database systems, 8th edn, Pearson/Addison Wesley, Boston, Massachusetts.

Elmasri, R & Navathe, SB 2007, Fundamentals of database systems, 5th edn, Pearson/Addison-Wesley, Boston, Massachusetts.

Finkelstein, C 1992, Information engineering: strategic systems development, Addison-Wesley, Sydney, New South Wales.

Kroenke, DM 2006, Database processing: fundamentals, design and implementation, 10th edn, Pearson Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Rob, P & Coronel, C 2007, Database systems design implementation and management, 7th edn, Thomson/Course Technology, Boston, Massachusetts.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Lectures or Tutorials or Practicals	36.00
Private Study	129.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
PRACTICAL TESTS	100.00	30.00	03 Mar 2008	(see note 1)
ASSIGNMENT 1 - CMA TEST	10.00	3.00	21 Mar 2008
ASSIGNMENT 2 - CMA TEST	10.00	7.00	02 May 2008
PART A OF 2-HOUR EXAMINATION	30.00	18.00	END S1	(see note 2)
PART B OF 2 HOUR-EXAMINATION	70.00	42.00	END S1

NOTES

1.: STUDENTS: Practical tests will be held during the semester. Further information will be provided during lectures and on the discussion group.
2.: The examination is scheduled to be held in the end-of-semester examination period. Students will be advised of the official examination date after the timetable has been finalised.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
Penalties for late submission of required work:
No assignments will be accepted after assignment feedback has been posted. Feedback will be posted on the discussion group approximately ten days after the due date of the assignment. Items submitted late are likely to be subject to processing delays.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
This is a closed examination. Candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Student Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene university regulations. These regulations can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Policies and Procedures which can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

1.	Assignments: (i) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must submit the assignment to the USQ. (ii) Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within 24 hours if required by the examiner. (iii) In accordance with university policy, the examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances. (iv) The examiner will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media. (v) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience.
2.	Course weightings: Course weightings of topics should not be interpreted as applying to the number of marks allocated to questions testing those topics in an examination paper.
3.	Referencing in assignments: Unless otherwise directed by the examiner, all written and oral assignments submitted by students must conform to the guidelines laid out in the 'Communication skills handbook: how to succeed in written and oral communication' and 'Information systems developers handbook: a road map for students'. Any work not prepared in accordance with these guidelines may be subject to penalty or requirement for resubmission.
4.	Make-up work: Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of a course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete - Make up). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.
5.	Deferred work: Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination); IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
6.	Appeals: Any appeal against the award of a grade in the course will be conducted in accordance with university regulations. These regulations are published in the university handbook.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

E-mail and Internet access: Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.
Some study materials and important information about the course will be made available via the online discussion group. Students are therefore expected to access the discussion group regularly and read all postings, and this is particularly true of lectures and tutorials. Tutorial exercises will be assigned during tutorials and will be due seven days later. It is the responsibility of students to ascertain whether a tutorial exercise was assigned during a tutorial. These exercises will not be posted on the discussion group. The practical tests are treated in the same way as an examination. Students who do not attend will receive a mark of zero unless they provide an appropriate reason with supporting documentation.

This version produced 28 Aug 2009.