Database Programming and Management with Access (CIS61)

Professor: Priscilla Grocer


Office: K-112
Phone: 508-678-2811

Course Description (from catalog):

This course will teach the student the concepts of a relational database system.  The student will learn to work with a variety of Access components including Structured Query Language and Data Access Objects. The student will analyze, design, develop, manage and execute projects in this powerful database environment.


Course Objectives:

The objective of this course is to help the student become an effective database developer using Access. At the completion of this course, the following objectives should have been accomplished:

Recommended Text:

Microsoft Office Access 2007: The Complete Reference
Virginia Anderson
McGraw-Hill Osburn
This text is available at ebrary thru BCC

Another text book we have used:
Succeeding in Business with Microsoft Office Access 2007
Sandra Cable
Course Technologies
ISBN-13: 978-1-4239-0606-3, ISBN-10: 1-4239-0606-3

Note that Access 2007 can be through the schools alliance with Microsoft. An invitation will be sent, let me know if you do not receive it.

Students may contact me about using another version of Access if their work environment is using that version.

Material to be Covered: The order in the syllabus does not necessary reflect the order that will used in the course. Please use the weekly schedule sheet to follow the assigned topics.

  1. Introduction to Data Management with Access

  2. Defining the data

    1. Features

    2. Data types

  3. Relationships

    1. One to One, One to Many and Many to Many relationships

    2. Normalization

    3. Multiple tables in a relational database

  4. Building the database

    1. Creating a single table

    2. Creating multiple tables

    3. Relating the tables

    4. Populating the tables

    5. Maintaining and securing

  5. Decision making

    1. Queries (retrieving data from your database)

    2. Complex queries

    3. SQL (our coverage of SQL will be more extensive that the material in the text – outside sources will be provided)

  6. Forms

    1. Forms for data entry

    2. Complex forms

  7. Reports

    1. Basic reports

    2. Reports for decision making and data analysis

  8. Automating processing

    1. Switchboards

    2. Basic Macros

    3. More advanced macros including conditions

  9. Programming within Access

    1. Visual Basic Application Code (VBA)

    2. More advanced uses as time permits

Requirements:

Requirements and Grading: The student will be expected to complete all assigned work. In addition there will be a final exam.
A schedule of assignments, projects, exams, quizzes etc. will be posted on the Web site. Students should check on a regular basis.
Grading percents are:

Evaluation:Assignments, programs and exams are graded using either number grades or letter grades based on the following (A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=below 60). The student's grade for the course will use the same scale and will be based on the percentages explained in the grading section. Plus and minus grades will be given.

Many of the assignments in this class are open ended - the grading will be based on how well the project demonstrates mastery of the material. Students who do a minimum of work will be graded accordingly. Assignments are only accepted if they are credible work and meet the minimum requirements and standards for that assignment. Assignments that are not accepted can be resubmitted. Resubmission is allowed on graded assignments, with permission of the instructor. You cannot earn an A+ on an assignment that is resubmitted. The instructor will only accept, without penalty, resubmissions on credible work. Resubmissions must be done within a week to avoid additional penalties for late assignments.
Note: To achieve an A+, on open-ended assignments, students must have done sufficient extra work in development or implementation tot make the assignment standout. In doing assignments, students must do their own work. Relying too heavily on my examples or working too closely with someone else will be penalized.

Assignments are due the week after they are assigned.  Late assignments will be penalized. If the assignment is one week late it will drop 10%, two weeks late will drop 20%, three weeks late will drop 30% and anything over 3 weeks late will drop 40%.  For purposes of this class, the week will end at midnight on Sunday. The new week will start on Monday morning. 


Attendance: Because this course can be taken over the web, in class, or a mixture of the two, attendance is based on email communication. Students must report their status once a week. This report can be combined with the submission of an assignment.


Methodology: This course is offered as an in class course or as a Distance Learning, course or as a course where the student can put together there own combination of in class and online participation. For in-class students, it is a traditional lecture based class with supplementary information available on the Web. Web based students will be relying on the information at the Web site for the information being presented in class with interaction through a variety of online techniques. Web based students are invited to attend class at any time if they feel that hearing a lecture would be valuable. All students should read the assigned notes, study the presentations available and avail themselves of other resources at the web site in mastering the course material. In addition, students will be working independently on projects designed to give them additional computer skills and practical experience in analyzing and solving problems. When appropriate, exercises and problem solving techniques are used. This syllabus is not to be construed as a contract in any way, shape, manner or form. This syllabus contains a suggested course outline and will be generally followed, subject to change according to the instructor’s discretion and needs. Academic flexibility is important!

Interaction Plan: This is an asynchronous course with synchronous components if you decide to attend classes. Communication includes email , blog, IM including voice, and online office hours and help sessions.  Other methods of online communications may also be used.  In addition open lab help session are scheduled and students may request in person meetings.  Students must communicate with the instructor at least once a week via email and must turn in homework and participate in online communication to be successful.

 
Back to the Top
Return to home page
Return to previous page