Calumet College of St. Joseph

SYLLABUS FOR APPLICATIONS IN DATA PROCESSING: ACCESS

Term: Fall, 2002-2003 (021) (Sept. 3 – Dec. 14)

Course Number: CIS 250x

Instructor: Mr. Darren Henderson

Office: Room 411

Office Phone: (219) 473-4346

E-mail: dhenderson@ccsj.edu

Office Hours: Monday 3:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Thursday 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Saturday 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Instructor Background:

Darren Henderson earned a B. S. in Engineering from Purdue University Calumet and a M. S. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University with a specialty in Communications and Signal Processing. His undergraduate curriculum was characterized by a strong emphasis in mathematics and physics including courses in Advanced Calculus, Partial Differential Equations, Complex Analysis, Advanced Analysis, Electromagnetic Field Theory, Optics, and Quantum Mechanics. As his undergraduate senior design team project, Darren worked on a prototype for a home security and convenience system that provided a speech synthesis capability. His task was to write the assembly language software for the Motorola HC11 microcontroller and to work with the Texas Instruments speech synthesis chip. Darren’s graduate coursework included courses in Digital Communications, Digital Signal Processing, Image Processing, Computer Networks, and Estimation Theory.

Darren joined the Computer Information Systems Program at Calumet College of St. Joseph in 1995. He regularly teaches the courses C Programming I and II, Hardware and Software Concepts, and Data Communications and Networking Theory. In addition to his teaching activities, Darren has worked for CCSJ's Computer Services Department. He used his engineering background and skills to help lay the groundwork for the school's existing computer network and services. He was responsible for initially creating the faculty and staff e-mail accounts and for making the school's computers (faculty, staff, and 4^th floor computer labs) Internet accessible. His duties involved Unix/Linux and Windows NT System Administration and TCP/IP Network Administration in support of DNS, DHCP, WWW, and e-mail services. He was also responsible for implementing an early firewall to protect the school's Univers database system from unauthorized access. He currently is working on ways of integrating the Blackboard 5 e-learning environment into his courses at CCSJ.

Before his tenure at CCSJ, Darren was an adjunct instructor in the Electronics Technology Department at Ivy Tech State College in Valparaiso. He taught a multitude of courses including: Circuits I and II, Solid State I and II, Digital Principals, Digital Applications, and Electricity for HVAC.

His current research interests are in C++ programming, software engineering for Internet applications, and network security.

Course Time: Mondays 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Room 418

Course Description: This course will introduce the student to the integrated database, architecture of the relational database system, storage structures, database management systems respective to MS Access, and online process concepts. During the term focus will be centered on data design, database creation, database querying, and database maintenance. Also, the student will gain hands-on experience in developing an applications program in a MS Access database environment.

Prerequisite: CIS 255 (CIS 125 and DOS experience).

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

· Understand relational database management theory and concepts

o know basic database terminology (table, field, record)

o understand database design concepts (e.g. normalization, relationships)

o produce a sufficiently normalized database design

o be familiar with Structure Query Language (SQL) syntax

· Use the Access relational database management software (RDBMS) to

o Work with tables, queries, and indexes

§ create database tables by defining the appropriate database fields and their properties (e.g. data type and field size)

§ add, edit, and delete data records in a table using the datasheet view

§ modify the structure of a database (change the size of a field, add a new field, delete a field from a table)

§ add database constraints (validation rules, formats, referential integrity)

§ create and run select queries that extract the desired records from a database

§ create and run select queries that join separate tables, include calculated fields, compound conditions (e.g. AND and OR criteria), and use wildcards

§ create and run action queries (append, update, and delete)

§ create and run parameter queries

§ sort records in a database

§ create and use indexes

o Work with forms and reports

§ create forms and reports that include the desired fields

§ add, edit, and delete data records using a form

§ insert controls (textbox, combo box, command button) on a form or report

§ move, resize, and remove unwanted controls

§ modify a control’s properties using its property sheet

§ create, modify, and use combo boxes

§ create a form with a subform

§ modify the tab order of a form

§ understand a form’s user action, data retrieval, and data update events

o Work with Access Tools, Options, and Wizards

§ use wizards to facilitate tasks (e.g. form, report, combo box, command button, lookup, and input mask wizards)

§ compact a database

§ use the Documenter Tool

§ set database startup options

· Understand Access Application Development concepts

o create, modify, copy, and run macros

o create, modify, and use switchboard pages

o apply the Reddick VBA naming conventions when naming controls

o understand object-based programming concepts

o use the dot and bang notation to refer to objects and properties

o understand event-driven programming concepts

o use the Visual Basic Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to enter, debug, and run VBA code

Textbook:

Microsoft Access 2000: Comprehensive Concepts and Techniques, Shelly, Cashman, and Pratt, Course Technology, Cambridge, MA, 2000. (ISBN: 0-7895-5610-3)

Learning Strategies:

The course material is presented through a combination of lecture and instructor-led software demonstrations. Students develop software proficiency through collaborative learning laboratory experiences and through the completion of hands-on assignments and projects.

Assessment:

The student’s grade is computed using the weights shown below:

Midterm Exam 25%

Final Exam 25%

Semester Project 20%

Homework/Class Activities 30%

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100%

Class Policy for Assignments/Exams:

Homework problems will be assigned throughout the duration of the term. Homework will be collected generally two weeks from the date assigned. Students are generally required to submit homework in both hardcopy and electronic form. See the "Homework Submission Guidelines" handout for further details. Late homework is subject to an automatic deduction to be determined by the instructor.

The official class policy is that there is NO MAKE-UP EXAMS, however in recognition of the occasional personal and/or family emergency that may occur during the semester, a make-up exam may be granted provided all the following conditions are met:

1) The instructor is notified of the make-up exam request by the student on or before the scheduled exam date.

2) A suitable alternate time convenient to the instructor can be arranged.

3) The missed scheduled exam must be made-up within one-week of the scheduled exam date.

The granting of make-up exams is NOT an entitlement but is a courtesy granted to the student by the instructor. If this courtesy is abused by a particular student or the class as a whole, then the privilege may be revoked.

A missed exam will be assigned a score of zero.

Exams will typically consist of two parts. Part I will cover general concepts and terminology and will be administered closed book and closed notes. Part II will be a “hands-on” portion which will be administered open book and open notes.

The function of the homework assignments and class/laboratory activities is that they serve as exam preparation. The function of the exams is to confirm that the student has achieved the required level of proficiency.

Grading Scale:

A: 93-100 A-: 90-92 B+: 87-89 B: 83-86 B-: 80-82 C+: 77-79

C: 73-76 C-: 70-72 D+: 67-69 D: 63-66 D-: 60-62 F: 59 & below

Class Policy on Attendance:

Attendance will be taken for administrative purposes. Although class attendance does NOT account for a percentage of the assigned semester grade, it is vital that students attend the class sessions on a regular basis in order to be informed of any important class announcements, any deviations from the course outline below, and of any supplemental material presented.

However, class/lab attendance and participation is used as a factor in deciding borderline cases. (if applicable)

Course Outline:

WEEK 1*	9/02/2002	No Class – Labor Day Recess
WEEK 2	9/9	Course Policies Introduction to Access/Database Design Concepts
WEEK 3	9/16	Project 1 (Creating a Database Using Design and Datasheet Views)
WEEK 4	9/23	Project 2 (Querying a Database Using the Select Query Window)
WEEK 5	9/30	Project 3 (Maintaining a Database Using the Design and Update Features of Access)
WEEK 6	10/07	Project 4 (Reports, Forms and Combo Boxes)
WEEK 7	10/14	Project 5 (Enhancing Forms with OLE Fields, Hyperlinks, and Subforms) Midterm Exam Review
WEEK 8	10/21	Midterm Exam
WEEK 9	10/28	Project 6 (Creating an Application System Using Macros, Wizards, and the Switchboard Manager) Midterm Exam Review
WEEK 10	11/04	Project 7 (Creating a Report Using Design View)
WEEK 11	11/11	Project 8 (Customizing Forms Using Visual Basic for Application (VBA), Charts, and PivotTable Objects)
WEEK 12	11/18	Project 9 (Administering a Database System)
WEEK 13	11/25	Access Application Development
WEEK 14	12/02	Access Application Development Final Exam Review
WEEK 15	12/09	Final Exam

Class Participation:

See "Class Policy on Attendance" above

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).

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* Actually, CCSJ officially considers the Fall 2002 term to begin on 9/03/2002 and not on 9/02/2002 since this is the Labor Day Holiday. I like to label this as week 1 so that the week numbers are consistent for all the courses that I teach during a term.