Topics

• Prerequisites
• Course Description
• Topics Covered
• Texts
• Attendance
• Software
• Blackboard Learn
• Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
• Classroom Behavior
• If You Fall Behind See Me
• Academic Honesty
• Cheating
• Academic Support Programs
• Class Discussion Area
• Contacting Me
• Accessing the UMB Lab systems Virtually
• U-ACCESS:
• Tentative Calendar

Prerequisites

IT 110 or MSIS 110

Course Description

One of the most important impacts of information technology nowadays is its increasing power of capturing and analyzing data. As computer literacy becomes the new basic survival skill in the modern society, the ability of handling data is also becoming a must-have skill. In this course, our first objective is to introduce a powerful technology named “database,” which is an advanced tool of data processing. In this class, we will gain hands-on experiences of creating, manipulating, and querying databases, which would serve as a solid foundation for students to understand how data can be effectively organized and used.

Our second --- and arguably more important --- objective is to master the conceptual thinking of data modeling and problem solving. We will learn how to simplify the real world and its various activities into simple data models, how to implement these data models in databases, and how to leverage these databases to solve real-life business problems. Students taking this course will benefit from this level of conceptual and analytical training in the long run, in addition to getting immediately marketable skills in data processing.

Topics Covered

The course will cover the following topics

• Topic 1: Master the SQL language
• Topic 2: Master the skills of database design and implementation
• Topic 3: Solve business problems through data modeling
• Topic 4: Learn the emerging topics of the data-centered business practice

Texts

Text/Material(s) (Optional):

• David M. Kroenke, David J. Auer, Robert C. Yoder & Scott L. Vandenberg, Database Processing: Fundamentals, Design, and Implementation
  (15th Edition)
  Pearson (ISBN 978-0134802749)
  

Recommended additional Materials:

• Ben Forta, “Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes,” 4/E (2012),
  Publisher: Sams Publishing; ISBN-13: 978-0672336072
  Note: there is a different book named “Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 24 hours,”
  which is a relatively more advanced book and is NOT for this class.
  

ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct available from https://ethics.acm.org.

Attendance

The University expects students to attend all regularly schedule class meetings because
attendance and participation in class (including online courses) are fundamental parts of the learning
process and key factors in academic success. Absences for any reasons should be discussed with the
instructor as soon as possible, preferably in advance. Certain absences, such as those due to medical
issues, may be excused provided appropriate notice and documentation are provided. For details, see:

Software

Plug-Ins, and Special Equipment – READ THIS, IT IS IMPORTANT!!

• 1. We will mainly use SQL Server and SQL Server Management Studio in this course.
• 2. You will also need Microsoft Access for the first few lectures. You can use the Access in virtual lab https://www.umb.edu/it/cloudpc
• 3. YOU MUST USE BLACKBOARD LEARN FOR THIS COURSE and you need to work through and resolve any technical
  issues that arise. Contact the IT Service Desk if you need assistance with the technical issues.
  Their contact information can be found at their website, http://www.umb.edu/it/getting_help

Blackboard Learn

Blackboard Learn (or simply Blackboard) is an essential part of this course. By default EVEYTHING is done through
Blackboard: homework assignments are posted, submitted, and graded using Blackboard.

Grading Policy

All homework and exams are subject to the University's Code of Conduct.

Plagiarism is not tolerated in any form.

Grades will be computed as follows

Final grades will be assigned based on the following standard scale

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 offers guidelines for curriculum modifications and adaptations for students with documented disabilities.

Students may obtain adaptation recommendations from the Ross Center for Disability Services.

Their web site is https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/disability.

A student must present these recommendations and discuss them with me within a reasonable period, preferably by the end of Add/Drop period.

Classroom Behavior

I put a lot of work into my classes.

If I see you looking furtively at your cell phone while I'm talking, I wonder why I am doing this.

If I hear you having an extensive conversation with your neighbor, it makes me feel that I am wasting my time here.

I could make more money doing other things, but I find this work important.

I work hard to teach you important material.

Please respect that effort while you are in this room.

If You Fall Behind See Me

Most students at UMB have many demands on their time.

They work many hours outside of school and take several courses.

Under normal circumstances, most students can handle the load.

But sometimes life throws you a curve.

A family emergency, health issues, or problems at work can make it hard to keep up with your coursework.

If this happens see me.

Often I can help.

But you need to do this soon as you start to fall behind.

If you wait until the end of the semester there is much less that I can do to help.

Academic Honesty

The preamble to the Academic Honesty section the Code of Student Conduct of the University reads as follows

It is the expressed policy of the University that every aspect of academic life not only formal coursework situations, but all relationships and interactions connected to the educational process shall be conducted in an absolutely and uncompromisingly honest manner. The University presupposes that any submission of work for academic credit indicates that the work is the student’s own and is in compliance with University policies. In cases where academic dishonesty is discovered after completion of a course or degree program, sanctions may be imposed retroactively, up to and including revocation of the degree. Any student who reasonably believes another student has committed an act of academic dishonesty should inform the course instructor of the alleged violation.

You can find the complete text of the Academic Honesty Policy here.

Cheating

Trust is essential for all human societies.

Cheating undermines trust.

The vast majority of people do not cheat, but some do.

Cheating will not be tolerated in this class.

Students who cheat on an exam will have their exam papers confiscated and will receive a score of 0.

The incident will be reported to the Provost's Office.

Copying assignments is cheating.

If copying is detected, both students will receive a 0 on the assignment an the incident will be reported.

If this happens a second time, both students will fail the course and the incident will be reported to the Provost's Office.

Academic Support Programs

If you are having trouble in any of your classes, you should reach out for help.

The University provides extensive Academic Support Programs.

To learn more about them go to https://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/academic_support.

Class Discussion Area

If you have questions about the material or the assignments, you can post them to the class discussion area in Blackboard.

If you find yourself stuck on anything, post it here.

I will check Blackboard frequently and answer question as they appear.

If you see a question and know the answer, you can respond to it on Blackboard.

I will check these replies and approve or modify them as appropriate.

Contacting Me

If you have questions about your status in the class, email me at Torna.Soro@umb.edu.

If you have question about any of the material we cover in class or an assignment, post in on Piazza.

Accessing the UMB Lab systems Virtually

UMass Boston provides a remote access service that allows you to reserve a computer image with
a desired set of applications, and remotely access it over the Internet. The CloudPC, contains
a number of images for use on/off campus to allow students, faculty and staff access to software,
which may not be available due to class scheduling in our computer labs. For information regarding
the CloudPC please go to https://www.umb.edu/it/cloudpc. You should use the Microsoft
Office Image. See the FAQ link that will appear on one of the windows, to learn how to access
your local files.

U-ACCESS:

U-Access (Office of Urban and Off-Campus Services) helps UMass Boston students meet their basic needs
so they can achieve academic success. They also provide leadership development and internship opportunities
to empower them to fight campus poverty. They supply various services to fulfill student needs, such as
advocacy, food pantry, tax preparation, case management, housing assistance, and legal consultation.
Contact information:

• 1. Email: U-access@umb.edu
• 2. Instagram: @UACESSUMB
• 3. Facebook: bit.ly/UAccessFB
• 4. Website: umb.edu/life_on_campus/uaccess
  

Tentative Calendar