An access code for Cengage Unlimited which includes access to all course material and eTexts. This course uses the eText Shelly Cashman Series Complete Microsoft Office 365/2021.
The code is available for purchase online through the MindTaps link in Canvas or at the UNCW bookstore.
Students may create and use an account with brief grace period before purchasing the code.
Reliable access to the Internet:
Microsoft Access 365 (The University provides this software to students free of charge. See uncw.edu/itsd/help/office365.html
for details. You may also use Horizon, UNCW's virtual Windows desktop) or a campus computer.
Important notes:
Parts of this course use Microsoft Access which is a Windows-only application. Students must be able to use Windows for the "Projects" part of the course described below. Mac users either need to use Horizon,
(UNCW's virtual Windows desktop) or a campus computer.
It is the student's responsibility to read and understand the syllabus, assignment instructions, and all emails sent out. Not reading or not understanding these documents does not qualify students to make up work.
Any announcements or reminders will be sent to students' UNCW email, and a log of all sent email can be found in Canvas through the Email Archive link.
Use the Canvas gradebook for the most accurate current course average. The MindTap/SAM gradebook does not accurately reflect how grades are weighted.
Firefox is a recommended browser for both Windows and Mac users: mozilla.org
Pre-requisite: CIT 110
Course Description:
A hands-on introduction to fundamental concepts of database management systems. Topics include advantages of using database management systems, data modeling, relational database design, query-building, security, privacy and ethical issues, and introductions to Web-based processing, Big Data concepts, and non-relational models as time permits.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students can explain why databases are used and how databases differ from and improve upon lists and spreadsheets.
Students can describe the components of a database system using correct terminology.
Students can apply basic principles of relational database design to collect and analyze end-user requirements, employ a design process, and successfully implement a working database.
Students can create and execute database queries.
Students can discuss basic security, privacy and ethical issues as they relate to technology.
Topics:
Database Fundamentals: Why use a database? What is a database system?
The Relational Model: Relations, primary keys, foreign keys
Database Administration
Database Queries
Database Forms and Reports
Introduction to SQL
Course averages will be determined as follows:
Syllabus quiz:
1%
SAM 2021 Windows Exam:
1%
MindTap Modules
68%
(This component will be the weighted average of the SAM Exams: 40% and SAM projects: 60%)
Test 1:
10%
Test 2:
10%
Final Exam:
10%
Course grades will then be determined using the scale below:
93 - 100
A
70 - 72
C-
90 - 92
A-
73 - 76
C
87 - 89
B+
67 - 69
D+
83 - 86
B
63 - 66
D
80 - 82
B-
60 - 62
D-
77 - 79
C+
0 - 59
F
Note that the Cengage gradebook does not calculate grades using this scale. The more reliable average will be in Canvas.
Coursework:
The majority of the assignments consist of the following:
Reading: Read the assigned chapter in the e-text.
Training: An introduction to the topic. Training is not counted in your final course average. It is recommended (not required) that you complete all training exercises. SAM training is done in a simulated Office 365 environment using a browser. Make sure you maximize the training pop-up window after it loads.
A SAM Exam: This is a test to demonstrate you have learned the skills covered in the training. Test questions are completed in a simulated Windows/Microsoft Office 365 environment. It is not required that you have the Office software installed to complete a SAM Exam. Each task or question has three attempts available. If the student can't perform the task accurately in three attempts, the task is marked incorrect. Students may skip questions and return to them later, but the three attempts will not be reset. Each exam may be retaken one time. The highest score will count. Make sure you maximize the SAM exam pop-up window after it loads.
Capstone Projects: For each Module, a SAM Project will be assigned: These include instruction files and one or more downloadable files that the student edits in the actual application according to the instructions. Students then upload the finished file and submit it for grading. SAM will grade the student submission and will provide feedback on any incorrect items. Students then have four additional opportunities to correct the file and resubmit for grading. (Five attempts total.) The highest grade will be used in calculations. Project scoring is based on exact matches to the solution file. If a word is misspelled or a period is missing, the task will be counted wrong. That is easy to fix and is why you have 5 attempts.
Be sure you retrieve the detailed grading report which will clearly show you where any errors were found. Please also be aware that the SAM Project grading system encodes the downloadable files and compares the submitted work with the original. If the encoding does not match, the software flags the submission as a possible integrity violation. Both parties are identified even if students are in different sections, courses, or even schools. In such a case, both parties will receive a grade of zero. Borrowing a friend's computer and accidently submitting your friend's project file instead of your own is not an excuse. You and your friend will both receive grades of zero. Leaving a file available for others to access, even inadvertently, can result in a zero for the project. SAM Projects must be completed in Microsoft Access 365. If you don't already have this version of Office, UNCW now offers it for FREE to the campus community for Windows. (See Requirements section above.) Projects completed in old versions of Access may not receive full credit as not all required features will be available.
You may do the Exam and the Project in either order - whichever you prefer.
Additional coursework includes:
A multiple-choice syllabus quiz (unlimited attempts)
An introductory SAM Path (Windows)
Two mid-semester tests open for 24 hours and which must be
completed within 3 hours.
A final exam on Wednesday, 6/19 which must be completed within 3 hours.
Late work:
You may work ahead on most of the course. If an assignment
is open, you are welcome to submit it early. If you miss the deadline for an
assignment, or if you score below 80%, you may still complete the assignment
through the last day of classes (6/18 11:59pm) for 80% maximum credit. The Final Exam closing
date (6/19 11:59pm) is firm and will not be available for late submissions.
Incomplete grades:
A grade of incomplete is given rarely and only in very specific situations. First, the student must be passing. Next, the student must be able to complete the work of the course entirely on his or her own. Finally, the student must be prevented from completing the course by verified, unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the student. These conditions must be documented and verified before an incomplete grade may be given.
Calendar:
It is the student's responsibility to check the online calendar (which is subject to change) and to complete the assignments as indicated. Failure to check the calendar or UNCW email is not an acceptable excuse for missing a due date.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities should know the appropriate mechanism for addressing those disabilities in your course. An example of such a statement would be:
"Students with diagnosed disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services (962-7555). Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need. If you require accommodation for test-taking, please make sure I have the referral letter no less than three days before the test."
Expectations:
All members of UNCW's community are expected to follow the academic Honor Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook and available at: uncw.edu/odos/honorcode/). Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class.
Please be especially familiar with UNCW's position on plagiarism as outlined in the UNCW Student Handbook. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you take someone else's ideas and represent them as your own. Here are some examples of plagiarism:
You write about someone else's work in your paper and do not give them credit for it by referencing them.
You give a presentation and use someone else's ideas and do not state that the ideas are the other person's.
You get facts from your textbook or some other reference material and do not reference that material.
Any dissemination of class notes, lecture slides, recordings, handouts, copies of exams, or any other course materials without permission of the instructor is prohibited by UNCW policy. UNCW Copyright Use and Ownership Policy specifies that class notes and related materials are considered derivative of original intellectual property of the course instructor. Therefore, the instructor (not the student) owns the copyright and must provide specific permission to distribute and/or reuse those materials for anything other than personal use and scholarship by the student. Commercial use, display, or dissemination of such notes, copies, or recordings—as well as posting to websites--will generally constitute an infringement of copyright and the Honor Code. Materials that qualify as student-owned are listed in the policy.
Students with Disabilities:
Students with diagnosed disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services (962-7555). Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need. If you require accommodation for test-taking, please make sure I have the referral letter no less than three days before the test.
Title IX:
UNCW takes all forms of interpersonal violence very seriously. When students disclose, first- or third-hand to faculty or staff about
sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence and/or stalking, this information must be reported to the administration in order to ensure that students' rights are protected, appropriate resources are offered, and the need for further investigation is explored to maintain campus safety. There are three confidential resources who do not need to report interpersonal violence: UNCW CARE, the Student Health Center, and the Counseling Center. If you want to speak to someone in confidence, these resources are available, including CARE's 24-hour crisis line (910-512-4821). For more information visit uncw.edu/titleix and uncw.edu/care.
Tips for success:
Seek help when you need it and as soon as you need it.
Feel free to contact me any time via e-mail, which I check several times a day. You can expect a response within 24 hours except for messages sent Friday 5:00-Sunday which will be answered no later than the end of the day Monday.
I am also happy to schedule times to meet with you in person if you prefer that over a Zoom meeting.
