Course Description

 

CAP 261 / IT 222: Database Principles

Credit Hours: 3            Prerequisite: CSC 212 / CSC 111  

 

  

Course Description:

    This course introduces the basics of database systems, as well as the modeling, desgin and manipulation of relational databases. The students will gain the required knowledge to describe databases, their characteristics, functions, pros and cons.

   Topics include data modeling, database design theory, data definition and manipulation languages, storage and indexing techniques, etc. The course will enable the students to create and manipulate databases on Oracle database management system. 

  

  

Textbooks:

  • Primary:

“Database Systems: A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation and Management.”
   Thomas Connolly, Carolyn Begg.
   5th Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2009.

 

  • Supplementary:

“Fundamentals of Database Systems.”
   Elmasri and Navathe.
   6th Edition, Pearson, 2010.   

 “Database Systems, Design, Implementation and Management.”
   Peter Rob, Carlos Coronel and Steven Morris.
   9th Edition, Pearson, 2009.   

 

 

Lab References:

 “Introduction to Relational Databases and  SQL Programming.”,
     Christopher Allen, Simon Chatwin, Catherine A Creary,
     McGraw-Hill, 2004 or later.

 

  

Course Contents:

These topics will be covered during the course:  

  • Introduction to Databases and Database Environment
  • Entity Relationship and Enhanced Entity Relationship Modeling
  • The Relational Model
  • Relational Algebra 
  • SQL: Data Manipulation Language
  • SQL: Data Definition Language
  • Normalization
  • Methodology – Conceptual Database Design
  • Methodology – Logical Database Design
  • Methodology – Physical Database Design
  • Object Oriented DBMSs
  • Object Relational DBMSs

 

 

Course Learning Outcomes: 

 This course requires the student to demonstrate the following:

  1.   Define program-data independence, data models for database systems, database schema and database instances.
  2.   Recall Relational Algebra concepts, and use it to translate queries to Relational Algebra statements and vice versa.
  3.   Identify Structure Query Language statements used in creation and manipulation of database.
  4.   Define functional dependencies and normalization concepts.
  5.   Identify the methodology of conceptual modeling through Entity Relationship model.
  6.   Identify the methodology of logical model.
  7.   Identify the methodology of physical model.
  8.   Develop an understanding of the differences between OODBMS, ORDBMS and RDBMS and the practical implications of each approach.
  9.   Analyze and design a real database application.
  10. Develop and evaluate a real database application using a database management system.
  11. Improve teamwork management skills.
  12. Enhance negotiation and discussion skills.

 

 

Grading: 

5%     Quiz
18%   First Midterm Exam
17%   Second Midterm Exam
10%   Lab & Lab Quiz
10%   Project
40%   Final Exam