Beginning Databases

Course Number:
CAS 140
Transcript Title:
Beginning Databases
Created:
Aug 04, 2022
Updated:
Aug 17, 2022
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
10
Lecture / Lab Hours:
60
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

Placement into IRW 115 or WR 115

Course Description

Covers database fundamentals, basic skills for designing and manipulating a database and beginning database management concepts including tables, forms, reports, and queries. Stresses a working knowledge of database management vocabulary. Introduces the basic features of database application software. Recommended: Placement into IRW 115 or WR 115. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Use a database application to create personal and/or business databases following current professional and/or industry standards.
  2. Use database applications to efficiently retrieve data.
  3. Apply database design principles to a new or existing database.
  4. Communicate in a business setting using database management vocabulary.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assessment may include:  Projects with original work, reflection journals, group discussions, open ended assessment, objective tests on basic document functions.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Suggested Texts and Materials

Themes, Concepts, Issues

  1. Communicate effectively using appropriate database management vocabulary.
  2. Use critical thinking and problem solving skills in designing databases for various business and personal projects.
  3. Proofread for accuracy in the entry of data and creation of database objects such as, tables, reports, forms and queries.
  4. Assess the databases for accuracy, readability, and appearance.
  5. Develop efficiency with specific sets of skills through repetitive reinforcement.

Competencies, Skills

Students will develop proficiency through reinforcement and assessment on the following skills:
  1. Creating tables by defining fields composed of various data types and entering text and numeric records.
  2. Creating and modifying forms including sub-forms.
  3. Creating, modifying and customizing basic, grouped and summary reports.
  4. Use queries to update and delete records, sort information and create reports.
  5. Designing and creating queries using wildcard characters, multiple criteria, joined tables, and calculated fields.
  6. Create and modify basic switchboard interfaces using simple macros.
  7. Establish relationships between two tables to ensure integrity and accuracy.
  8. Design and create a database management system from scratch using original information.
Students will be familiar with the following skills:
  1. Using help features.
  2. Establishing relationships between more than two tables.
  3. Printing mailing labels.
  4. Documenting and compacting databases.
  5. Using additional functions such as combo boxes.
  6. Using additional field data types such as memo, OLE, and hyperlink fields.
  7. Students may be exposed to additional database management skills/concepts as time allows.