Time Schedule:
Russell C. Fish
I S 445
Seattle Campus
Examines the business need for database processing. Discusses database design, development, and administration. Students practice real-world database design and implementation using SQL. Discusses issues related to transaction management, data warehouse, etc. Prerequisite: I S 310; I S 320, which may be taken concurrently; may not be repeated.
Class description
Robust access to enterprise data is a key concern organizations of all sizes. This course begins by focusing on effective database design and use, then expands to consider the implementation of database systems, from personal up to enterprise-wide. To effectively develop database applications, a thorough understanding of database terminology, data modeling methods, and structured query language (SQL) is necessary. When a complete, robust design is available, the implementation process begins. Issues surrounding database development provide valuable insight into the modeling phase, as well as positive feedback for future projects. This course offers students the opportunity to use and evaluate both personal (Microsoft Access) and enterprise (Oracle 10g) database architecture. The emphasis in both cases is on consistent, efficient, and maintainable design. If time and class interest allows, web-based support for database access, using Java-based tools, will also be considered.
Student learning goals
Thorough understanding of the relational model, which underlies most personal and enterprise database architectures.
Expertise in Structured Query Language (SQL), the standard means of posing business "questions" to databases.
Awareness of the challenges and benefits of effective data modeling, which produces a picture of the proposed design for discussion with business users, developers, and other stakeholders.
An understanding of database design, which transforms a model into a vendor-specific implementation. An effective transformation requires an understanding of database "normalization", which produces robust, maintainable implementations.
Awareness of the issues faced in a running database, and normally managed by database administrators (DBAs). These issues include transaction management, security concerns, growth planning, and so forth.
Consideration of client-side concerns for web-based applications. For example, in a long-running web transaction (e.g. a partially-filled shopping cart) how is database transactional state managed?
General method of instruction
Lecture combined with discussion of topic-relevant academic papers, recent news items, etc.
Recommended preparation
See prerequisites for the class. General IT awareness and/or work-related experience may be substituted for non-business school students, subject to discussion with the instructor.
Class assignments and grading
The assignments cover topics relevant to the class material; executing SQL statements, building databases, etc. There are generally 3-4 assignments.
Assignments + class participation + 2 exams. Grades for the class are curved and are subject to the median grade norms developed by the Foster Business Schoo.
