Database Management Systems – MGS 613

Fall 2012 (updated 8/22/2012)

 

Instructor: Jeff Fineberg

Email: fineberg@buffalo.edu

 

Course Time: Monday and Wednesday 12:30pm-1:50pm 

Course Location: 214 Jacobs

Office hours: 325B Jacobs on Monday 6:15pm-8:15pm or by appointment

 

Course URL: http://ublearns.buffalo.edu (check for updates)

 

Course Description:   This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the various aspects of database technology, with significant emphasis on the database development process (analysis, design and implementation).  The course also provides experience with various database platforms and programmatic methodologies, using SQL as a mechanism for accessing data.  Data access will be explored with a variety of interfaces, including character-based command line utilities and graphical (GUI) utilities.  Students will also gain experience with program and database integration using platforms such as PHP and Java, as well as the UNIX shell.

 

In addition to the core database technology aspects, more advanced areas are explored including object-oriented databases, distributed databases, data warehousing, ETL, data integration, semantic databases and knowledge management.

 

Prerequisites: MGS 602 or PI

 

Labs: consist of exercises for providing hands-on experience to aid in the understanding of theoretical aspects of the course.  Although labs are not graded, it is important that students complete these in order to be adequately prepared for class discussion, tests, assignments, as well as the final project.  Note: there will be lab demonstrations during class time, however a significant portion of the lab exercises are to be completed outside of the class time.

 

Assignments: designed for reinforcing the concepts from lectures and lab exercises, as well as the textbook.  Assignments consist of both written work and the utilization of various software tools.  Refer to UB Learns based upon the attached schedule.

 

Exams: there will be a midterm and final exam.  These will require a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the material.  The content of the exams are based upon the textbook, assignments, labs and class discussions.  Advanced arrangements must be made if an exam is to be missed (unless a documented emergency exists). 

 

Project: This will be a group project to gain practical experience in the application of theoretical concepts learned in the course, emphasizing teamwork, innovation, and cohesiveness of presentation.  Each team member is expected to contribute equally to the team project.  Note that there will be peer reviews of all team member performance, therefore it is critical to work closely with and stay in contact with your team members.

 

Readings:  additional readings will be assigned to complement the material covered in the course.

 

 

Required textbook: “Modern Database Management” – Eleventh Edition – Jeffrey Hoffer, V. Ramesh and Heikki Topi (Prentice Hall) ISBN: 978-0-13-266225-3

 

Link to the text resources: http://www.pearsonhighered.com/hoffer/

Note: Chapters 12, 13 and 14 are online and downloadable from the above link.

 

Supplemental Resources and textbooks: The resources below contain detailed and comprehensive aspects of Oracle, including capabilities such as PL-SQL, functions, procedures, introductory and advanced query techniques, query tuning and security.

 

Online reference: Oracle Database Documentation Library – includes several free PDF manuals from Oracle, including an SQL Reference, Performance Tuning guides, error messages, etc.

 

            Link to online resources: http://www.oracle.com/pls/db112/homepage

 

Book: “Oracle SQL by Example – 4th edition – Rischert (Prentice-Hall)

ISBN: 978-0-137-14283-5

Note:  also available as downloadable Kindle editions (there are Windows clients to read these book formats).

 

            Link to online resources: http://oraclesqlbyexample.com

 

Software (including, but not limited to):   Oracle 11g, Oracle SQL Developer, SQL Plus (utilizing Unix), MySQL, HeidiSQL, LAMP Server architecture (utilizing Uniform Server or equivalent), Microsoft Office (Access / Excel primarily) and SQLite. 

 

Class Discussion Web:  For questions that would benefit the majority of the class, please use the UB Learns website http://ublearns.buffalo.edu

 

Incompletes: under normal circumstances these are not given.  Where appropriate, any special cases need to be approved and have supporting documentation.

 

Email communication via UB Learns: Periodically messages may be sent via email (or UB Learns) to everyone in class regarding assignments, etc.  Also, please feel free to email me directly with any questions or suggestions at: fineberg@buffalo.edu.  Note: the email subject line should begin with MGS613.

 

Class participation: It is expected that students will be prepared to discuss the assigned material for each class.  The class participation portion of your grade is composed of class activity work, contribution to discussions in class, suggesting useful / interesting resources, etc.

 

Academic Integrity / Plagiarism: all students are expected to perform their own work.  Any acts of plagiarism will be taken very seriously and will be dealt with in accordance of the University’s policy.  Be sure to read thoroughly and understand the policy (CHAPTER VIII Disciplinary Procedures for Academic Infractions) in pages 69-77 of the handbook (refer to link below):

 http://mgt.buffalo.edu/programs/new-york-mba/academics/handbooks/201213Handbook 


Attendance and Punctuality

·         Students are expected to attend all classes and to arrive on time, except when precluded by emergencies, religious holidays, or other extenuating circumstances.

·         Students are expected to come to all classes within 5 minutes of the scheduled time and to stay until the end of each class.

·         Grades of students who are consistently late or who miss five or more classes will be reduced by one letter grade for the course.

·         There will be material that you will be responsible for that is covered exclusively in class.

 

Disruptions and Class Decorum

·         Observe common discussion protocols and best practices such as, no cross talks, only one person speaking at one time, and listening carefully what others are saying.

·         Students disrupting the class or violating class decorum may be asked to leave the classroom.

·         Repetitive disruptions and violations of class decorum may lead to disciplinary action as allowed by the university policies. Please refer to UB’s policy on acceptable classroom behavior for more details (http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/judicial/classroom.shtml).

 

Assignment Guidelines

·         You may discuss individual assignments with your team members and your other friends. However, you are expected to work alone and individually while actually preparing the deliverable you will submit for the assigned problem.

·         Please use electronic submission through Digital Dropbox in UBLearns to submit all your assignments. The file name should include student / team name along with the title of the assignment. If paper submission is required, this will be specified in the assignment.

·         Please provide a cover page on all assignments that should include the student’s (or team’s) name, student identification number (for individual submissions), the title of the assignment, and the date of submission.

 

Submission of Assignments

·         All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the due date indicated in the course schedule. Assignments received after the due date and time will be penalized at the rate of 20% per day.

·         All assignments should be submitted via the Digital Dropbox before the class.

·         E-mail submissions are accepted ONLY under special circumstances (such as issues with Digital Dropbox or UBLearns access).

·         If there are non-academic emergency reasons because of which you are not able to submit an assignment on time as per schedule, please let the instructor know at the earliest possible opportunity, which may result in an extension without penalty on that particular assignment.

 

Students with Disabilities: The Office of Disability Services (ODS) coordinates needs for special accommodations for eligible students. Information on registering is available on the Student Affairs website. If you require special accommodations, please talk with me as soon as possible so we may work out a solution.  I will be happy to aid in making accommodations necessary for you to succeed in the course.


Grading Policy

 

Grade assessment: Comprehension of the material will be assessed through homework assignments, tests and a final project utilizing the following:

 

 

Midterm Exam

20%

Assignments (4 @ 7.5% each)

30%

Final Project

20%

Final Exam

20%

Class participation (contributing to discussions, participation, group work, etc.)

10%

 

 

Final Grading Scale

Percentage Points

Grade

>=92.5

A

>=90 and <92.5

A-

>=87.5 and <90

B+

>=82.5 and <87.5

B

>=80 and <82.5

B-

>=77.5 and <80

C+

>=70 and <77.5

C

>=60 and <70

D

<60

F

 

 

                            


MGS 613 Fall Schedule

(Subject to some revision – refer to UB Learns for updates)

 

Note: Bold items in schedule are of high importance

 

Class Date

Topic(s) Discussed / Activities

Assignments / Reading for the week

Aug 27, 29

Syllabus, Course Overview and Survey.

Introductory material

-          Read Chapter 1

Sep *3, 5

 

Chapter 1 – The Database Environment and Development Process

*Monday 9/3 – no class: Labor Day

-          Read Chapter 2

-          Lab 1

Sep 10, 12

 

 

Chapter 2 – Modeling Data in the Organization

CIT Academic Oracle Environment

-          Read Chapter 6

-          Assignment 1 – due 9/19

 

Sep *17, 19

Chapter 6 – Introduction to SQL

*Monday 9/17 – no class: Rosh Hashanah

-          Read Chapter 3

-          Lab 2

Sep 24, *26

Chapter 3 – The Enhanced ER Model

*Wednesday 9/26 – no class: Yom Kippur

-          Read Chapter 4

 

Oct 1, 3

Chapter 4 – Logical Database Design and the Relational Model

-          Read Chapter 5

-          Assignment 2 – due 10/8

Oct 8, 10

Chapter 5 – Physical Database Design and Performance

-          Read Chapter 7

-          Lab 3

Oct 15,17

Chapter 7 – Advanced SQL (joins, triggers, functions, procedures)

-          Read Chapter 8

-          Assignment 3 – due 10/22

Oct 22, 24

Chapter 8 – Database Application Development

 

-          Read Chapter 9

-          Study for Test 2

-          Lab 4

Oct 29, 31

Midterm Exam

Chapter 9 – Data Warehousing

-          Read Chapter 10

-          Assignment 4 – due 11/5

Nov 5, 7,

**9

Chapter 10 Data Quality and Integration

**Nov 9 – last day to Drop with ‘R’ grade**

 

-          Read Chapter 11

-          Final Project assigned – due Dec 3

-          Final Project Work

-          Lab 5

Nov 12, 14

Chapter 11 - Data and Database Administration

-          Read Chapter 12

-          Final Project Work

Nov 19, *21

Chapter 12 – Distributed Databases

*Wednesday 11/21 – no class: fall recess

-          Read Chapter 13

-          Final Project Work

-          Lab 6

Nov 26, 28

Chapter 13 – Object Oriented Data Modeling – UML - Ontology

-          Final Project Work

Dec 3, 5

Group Presentations

Review for Final

-          Final Project Due

-          Study for Final Exam

Dec 10

8am-11am

Final Exam – location Knox 104