UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
CSC 213: DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS I
1ST SEMESTER
Contact Details:
Dr. Charles Roland Haruna
charuna@[Link]
+233 24 450 7014
Course Description:
Data-driven decision-making is the new trend in organizations and commercial decision-making.
In fact, the majority of firms' information systems strategy revolve around database systems.
Users are anticipated to often interact with and use database systems at any organizational
level. As a result, in any industry vertical, the ability to use such systems effectively has become
crucial. This includes understanding the capabilities and limitations of the systems, deciding
whether to access data directly or through technical specialists, and knowing how to effectively
retrieve and utilize the information. Also, currently it is clear advantage and essential to have
expertise in designing new systems and related applications. One popular sort of database
system is the Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), which is the main topic of this
course.
Objectives:
After completing this course, students ought to be able to:
• Recognize the relational data model's implications for data manipulation, data integrity,
and data structure.
• Recognize entity-relationship concepts and construct conceptual database models using
them.
• Using the normalization process, create data structures that adhere to organizational
standards while limiting redundancy and enforcing data integrity.
• Recognize the relational data model's theoretical underpinnings as they relate to
interactions with modern database management systems.
• Apply a provided data model to a database query and use SQL to turn the data into
information (Structured Query Language).
• Add a data model to an existing RDBM.
• Understand query languages for databases
• applying the theory behind various database models and query languages
• Master the basics of SQL
• working in group settings to design and implementing database projects
Instructor's expectations of students:
• While attendance is not required (not part of the grade), the class time is designed to help
prepare student’s understanding of the course material, their success on exams,
assignments and project. Note there are several in-class quizzes with no make-up option
which will encourage attendance.
• The student shall come to class to participate with assignments and projects meeting
deadlines.
• The student shall not electronically communicate with others, web surf, nor use devices
to do other activities unrelated to the class. It is distracting to yourself, others near you,
and the instructor or whomever is presenting.
• The student shall not leave class for any reason, including taking/making phone calls
unless it is truly an emergency or illness. Such activity is also distracting and has
underlying interpretations.
• The student shall understand the course policies and college academic integrity policies
and abide by them.
Students' expectations of the instructor:
• The instructor will ensure that class time is worth your while for attendance, assuming
the students have done the readings and home works.
• The instructor will also refrain from electronic communication to others during class
time.
• The instructor will not leave the classroom for reasons other than emergency or illness.
• The instructor will strive to return exams, assignments and projects in a timely fashion.
• The instructor will strive to enforce the course and college integrity policies fairly with
integrity.
Methods of instruction:
The format of the course will include lectures, group presentations, class discussions,
projects/assignments and workshop sessions where students will gain hands-on experience.
Requirements/Strategies/Assessments:
• Students will be put into groups to carry out a project which will constitute part of the final
assessment. The project will be presented to the class on the agreed date for criticism and
analysis. Marks will be delivered based on the content of the work. Participation in critique
is essential to the evaluation procedure and every student is expected to attend with their
completed projects. Critiques are a common practice in the industry; therefore, students
need to be able to present their work effectively. Critiques also allow students to view
alternative solutions and different software techniques.
• Two Quizzes will be conducted in the semester aside the various class exercises, projects
and assignments.
Required text:
o Database System Concepts 6th/7th Ed., by Abraham Silberschatz, Henry F. Korth, S.
Sudarshan
o Introduction to Database Management Systems by Kahate
o Fundamentals of database systems by Ramez Elmsari,Shamkant [Link]
Software you will want to have installed:
Microsoft SQL server
Grading system:
Grading will be based upon assignments – a series of exercises, projects and quizzes. Deadlines
are strictly adhered to and obligatory. Marks will be deducted from assignments/Projects that are
presented late, even if the assignment has met all criteria. Grading is based on both competent use
of software tools and modern techniques used.
Quizzes 30%
Projects/Presentations 10%
Exams 60%
TOTAL 100%
Course outline:
Week 1 Welcome and Introduction; Course Overview; Database Introduction
Week 2 Overview of Database Management Systems / File Processing Systems
Week 3 Database System Concepts and Architecture
Week 4 Quiz 1
Week 5 Data Modeling using Entity-Relationship; Relational Database Model
Week 6 and 7 Relational Algebra
Week 8 Quiz 2
Week 9 and 10 Structured Query Language (Introduction to SQL)
Although substantially complete, this schedule is tentative and will be modified as necessary
through the course of the semester.