10156124Introduction to Databases
Course Information
Description
Introduces the student to relational database concepts using the Microsoft Access and MySQL database environments. Students then study concepts that lead to good relational database design including an introduction to normalization. Basic SQL statements are practiced also. Students are required to have a working knowledge of Microsoft Windows operating system (computer literacy, proficiency with a mouse, file explorer, and file management).
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Describe relational database concepts
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab assignments, project demonstration, exam
    Criteria
    Define relational database terminology
    Create entity relationship diagrams
    Define primary keys and foreign keys
    Setup referential integrity constraints
    Explain the importance of naming conventions

  2. Administer table relationships within a database
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab assignment, project demonstration
    Criteria
    Create databases using one-to-many and many-to-many relationships
    Create new databases from entity relationship diagrams (ERDs)
    Modify database tables using SQL
    Setup primary keys in MS Access and MySQL
    Setup foreign keys in MS Access and MySQL

  3. Create queries to extract data from the database
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab assignment, project demonstration
    Criteria
    Create single-table database queries
    Create multi-table database queries using JOINs
    Setup and execute queries in MS Access
    Setup and execute queries in MySQL

  4. Explore the Normalization process regarding the design of tables in a relational database
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab assignment, project demonstration, graded class discussion, exam
    Criteria
    Define first normal form, second normal form and third normal form
    Design database tables that adhere to normalization rules
    Deploy database tables in MS Access and MySQL that adhere to normalization rules
    Create a database ERD while adhering to normalization rules

  5. Utilize an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) when designing a database
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab assignment, project demonstration, exam
    Criteria
    Setup a ERDs using Vertabelo database design tools
    Deploy a physical database using SQL commands derived from an ERD
    Define Crow’s foot notation in regards to database design
    Create an ERD using Crow’s foot notation

  6. Setup databases using Microsoft Access and MySQL database management systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab assignment, project
    Criteria
    Deploy database lab documentation instructions using Microsoft Access
    Deploy database lab documentation instructions using MySQL
    Setup a Microsoft Access database from an ERD document
    Setup a MySQL database from an ERD document

  7. Setup a web application to use a database connection and display query results on a webpage
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab assignment, project, exam
    Criteria
    Create a basic PHP web application with a connection to a MySQL database
    Modify SQL statements within a PHP document
    Display database query results in an HTML document
    Describe how a web request that utilizes a database is completed from GET request to HTML table