COURSE SYLLABUS

Fall 2007

 

Business Office Technology

CSA 140 – CRN 3085

Database Applications (Access)

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Department

Course No.

Course Title

 

3

1.5

1.5

 

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Credit Hrs.

# Lecture hrs/week

# Lab hrs/week

 

 

 

                           Donna Hylton

08/22/07

Prepared by

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Faculty Member

Date

 

Course prerequisites:

Prior knowledge of keyboarding for computers and windows operating systems is recommended.

 

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Course Location (building/room number):

Online

 

 

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Course Description:

CSA 140 Database Applications (Access) provides an introduction to database software. Students will learn to create and manipulate databases using leading database packages currently popular in business and industry. Students will get an overview of the range of available database management systems and an understanding of fundamental theory. Hands-on work will be emphasized.

 

 

Scope of course:

CSA 140 Database Applications (Access) is an introduction to database software.  Students will learn how to design, create, and manipulate databases using Microsoft Access.  Topics will include table design, forms, queries, and reports.  Students will also learn the fundamentals of defining table relationships and explore the features of a relational database management system.  Upon completion of this course students will be able to successfully create, use and maintain databases in the work environment.

 

 

Program/Discipline Learning Outcomes Contained in Course:

The goal of the Business Division is to incorporate the following learning outcomes into each course:

s         Written and oral communication skills

s         Critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills

s         Interpersonal skills and awareness

s         Teamwork, team-building, and project focus

s         Knowledge of ethical and legal business behavior

s         Awareness and respect for other perspectives

s         Global awareness and diversity

s         Flexibility and adaptive to change

s         Personal productivity and organizational skills

s         Ability to understand your customer

s         Understand process management

 

 

 

Importance of Course in Program/Discipline:

CSA140 – Database Applications gives students hands on training in the very popular Microsoft Office Access relational database management system. This course serves students in several programs within the Business Division. For Business Office Technology students it offers an in depth knowledge of a RDBMS that is often used in companies large and small. Information Systems majors use this course as a foundational course for the more advanced Database Design course. Business Administration students gain a broader perspective of the application of technology in the business context. The ability to create, load, and manipulate a database can serve both professional and personal data management needs. It positions our students with marketable technical skills.

 

 

Learning Outcomes:

The goal of CSA140 is to provide each student with a basic level of database proficiency.  The following list describes the learning outcomes that support this overall goal:

 

s         Understand and be able to define the terms used in the database environment.

s         Identify the components of the Access and Database windows.

s         Create, load, modify, and save a table

s         Create, run, update, print, and perform calculations in a query.

s         Build forms and subforms using the wizard and design view facilities.

s         Design and customize reports

s         Establish and modify relationships between tables

s         Create macros and switchboards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Textbooks and other required readings/computer software/materials/library reserve room:

Textbook:       New Perspective Series Comprehensive – Access 2003 by

Joseph J. Adamski and Kathleen T. Finnegan

Course Technology

Software:         Microsoft Access 2003 (part of the Microsoft Office XP suite).

                       

 

Office Location

(Building/Room Number):

Wheaton Hall room 313

Office Hours:

Online

 

Office Telephone:

(860) 343-5774

Office e-mail:

 

dhylton@mxcc.commnet.edu

 

Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to participate in on online course through assignments, projects, exams, and chat sessions. An online course allows the student to establish a flexible schedule to do work. Chat sessions will be scheduled to facilitate group discussion during the semester. When chat sessions are scheduled, students are encouraged to participate. 

 

 

Evaluation (exams, term papers, projects, etc., and percentages towards final grades):

Student will be given assignments that develop problem solving and analytical skills.

 

Your grade will be determined as follows:

     Two Exams                                                                        30%

     Home Work                                                                       40%

     Quizzes/Projects                                                                30%

THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS OR QUIZZES GIVEN UNLESS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE PRIOR TO THE EXAM OR QUIZ.

 

Getting the most out of your ONLINE course

 

Preparing for online learning: If this is your first online course, you may be wondering what the experience will be like and how best to prepare. The following information will help to get the most out of this course.

 

  1. Understand your role
    1. Be Organized
      1. Set aside a specific time in which you will complete the work required for each chapter. Treat this as your time to be ‘in school’ and avoid distractions. Assume that you will have at least two ‘class’ sessions per week for learning the new material. Allocate time for completing home work.
      2. Communicate with the instructor or other classmates when you are having difficulty and in need of further assistance.
      3. Stay current with all assignments. Do not let assignments slide. Be sure to hand in all assignments on the due date. Assignments will be released weekly.
    2. Be Prepared
      1. Get the required textbook and software (listed above). You will have to read and follow the instructions in the textbook. There are also additional resources on WebCT to supplement your learning.
      2. Make sure that you have Internet access and have room on your computer for downloading files.
      3. Be sure that you have a copy of the syllabus. It is the guideline for the course. (The syllabus is subject to change).
      4. When you begin the course, it will be important to be able to navigate the Web site with ease. Visit the Welcome icon on the Homepage for a quick tour of the course and its features.
    3. Avoiding Roadblocks
      1. Sometimes the site may be down and you cannot access the work.  Be sure the time you selected as convenient works online as well.

2.       Many of the instructions of how to accomplish specific tasks will be in writing rather than visual or audio.  You will experience different ways of learning.

3.       Do not spend excess time to complete a task if errors on the system are displaying.  Contact me.            

 

2. Understand my role

a.       Facilitate, not lecture. My role is to be there as a resource to provide guidance through your learning experience, to discuss problems you may encounter, and to review your progress.

 

    1. Evaluate.  Computerized projects will be completed through the semester. My role is to evaluate and grade your work.

 

    1. Manage the course.  I will manage the pace of the course and keep us all moving forward at a steady pace. The calendar and assignment areas will be used to communicate what material you should be working on at any given time.

 

ADA Accommodations Statement

“Students with physical or learning disabilities who may require accommodations are encouraged to contact the Counseling Office.  After disclosing the nature of the disability, students are urged to discuss their needs with individual instructors.  This should be done at the beginning of each semester.  Instructors, in conjunction with appropriate college officials, will provide assistance and/or accommodations only to those students who have completed this process.”

 

Academic ethics and classroom behavior

 “At Middlesex Community College we expect the highest standards of academic honesty.  Academic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ Proscribed Conduct Policy in Section 5.2.1 of the Board of Trustees’ Policy Manual.  This policy prohibits cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, unauthorized access to examinations or course materials, plagiarism, and other proscribed activities.  Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s idea(s) or phrase(s) and representing that/those idea(s) as your own, either intentionally or unintentionally.”  (Board of Trustees’ Policy 5.2.1)

 

Use of Computing Resources

All resources and facilities of the Data Processing Labs, including the computer classroom sites, are to be used solely for the legitimate and authorized academic and administrative purposes.  Any unauthorized or illegitimate use of the computer systems, resources, and/or facilities will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including but not subject to criminal prosecution in accordance with Section 53a-250, et seq., of the General Statutes.

Unit Outlines/Unit Objectives/Expected Outcomes/Assessment Measures:

Each unit will cover specific objectives with the chapter.  Students are expected to read the assigned chapters and do the assignments listed.  The assessment measures of quizzes, exams and computer assignments are listed below.

 

Week

Session

Topic

Material

1

1

Introduction and Overview

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2

Orientation to WebCT

Office: Using Common Features of Microsoft Office 2003

OFF3 MS Office 2003 Tutorial

2

3

Tutorial 1:

Introduction to Microsoft Access 2003

Session 1.1

 

4

Working with Queries

Session 1.2

3

5

Tutorial 2:

Creating and Maintaining a Database

Session 2.1

 

6

Modifying, Obtaining and Updating Records

Session 2.2

4

7

Tutorial 3:

Querying a Database

Session 3.1

 

8

Defining Criteria and Performing Calculations

Session 3.2

5

9

QUIZ (1-3)

 

 

10

Tutorial 4:

Working with Forms

Session 4.1

6

11

Working with Reports

Session 4.2

 

12

Tutorial 5:

Enhancing a Table’s Design

Session 5.1

7

13

Advanced Queries

Session 5.2

 

14

Advanced Queries

Session 5.3

8

15

Projects

 

 

16

Review Chat Session

 

9 

17

MIDTERM EXAM (1-5)

 

 

18

Tutorial 6:

Creating Custom Forms

Session 6.1

10 

19

Advanced Custom Form Functions

Session 6.2

 

20

Working with Sub-Forms

Session 6.3

11

21

Tutorial 7:

Customizing Existing Reports

Session 7.1

 

22

Designing and Creating Customized Reports

Session 7.2

12

23

Adding Sub-Reports
Session 7.3

 

24

Additional Report Functions

Session 7.4

13 

25

Quiz (6-7)

 

 

26

Tutorial 9:

Action Queries

Session 9.1

14

27

Table Relationships
Session 9.2

 

28

Tutorial 10:

Switchboards

Session 10.1

15

29

Macros

Session 10.2

 

30

Creating a User Interface

Session 10.3

16

31

Projects

 

 

32

Review Chat Session

 

17

33

Final Exam (6, 7, 9, 10)

 

 

 

Course schedule and assignments may be subject to change