Course Syllabus

DATA MANAGEMENT and DATABASE DESIGN

DAMG 6210 Simon W. Wang
Class Sessions: Tuesdays 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm 425.829.2503
Office Hours: TBD [email protected]
September 6 to December 16 [email protected]

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Data Management and Database Design course introduces the database theory and skills, including the
concepts, architecture, and development in a data-centric system context. This course presents the valuable
knowledge and skills related to managing, manipulating and analyzing large amounts of data. Both the relational and
NoSQL databases are explored. Students will develop a project database on a business premise of their choosing as
well as conduct analysis upon a set of sample data.

This course not only prepares students to pursue the career opportunities but also presents a foundation for the more
advanced study related to the database discipline.

BOOKS
Connolly, T. M. & Begg, C. E. (2015)
Database Systems: A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation, and Management (6th
Edition) Addison-Wesley Publishing, [ISBN-10: 0-13-294326-3]

The 4th or 5th Edition is also acceptable.

Dusan Petkovic (2019)

Microsoft SQL Server 2019: A Beginner's Guide, Seventh Edition
McGraw Hill, [ISBN-13: 978-1260458879]

These textbooks have been selected because of their breadth and depth in coverage of data and databases. They are
well written and contain many examples. Students should find these books to be useful for several years to come.

Recorded lectures:
YouTube Channel for Database Design:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP4n040ay46QjKYLmnBYCmw

YouTube Channel for SQL Development:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwMn1c7Oq1VmW1t8gM7J5IA

YouTube Channel for Data Mining and Database Management:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCACs2TalmQuAa-M5042lBTg

Additional resources:
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W3schools SQL Tutorial will be leveraged to develop basic SQL skills. This learning can also be used to support the
more extensive SQL development enhancing the course objectives.

T-SQL Querying (Developer Reference) 1st Edition

https://www.amazon.com/T-SQL-Querying-Developer-Reference-Ben-Gan/dp/0735685045

SOFTWARE
The class SQL Server will be provided in a hosted environment. Students will need to have access to other software
according to the following table. The Developer Edition of SQL Server 2019 and Visio Professional 2016 are
recommended as optional options.

Function Requirement Apple Windows

Entity Relationship
Diagram mandatory MySQL Workbench, or Lucidchart Visio Professional, MySQL Workbench, or Lucidchart

MongoDB Server mandatory MongoDB Atlas in cloud MongoDB Atlas in cloud

MongoDB Client mandatory MongoDB Compass Community MongoDB Compass Community
MongoDB Programming optional Node.js Node.js

SQL Programming - Server mandatory Class SQL Server Class SQL Server
SQL Programming - IDE mandatory dBeaver SQL Server Management Studio, or dBeaver

Data Mining Tool mandatory Tableau, or others PowerBI, Tableau, or others

Important Notes:
* IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
* The minimum requirement for Entity Relationship Diagram is Lucidchart
* The minimum requirement for SQL Programming is dBeaver
* Please watch the videos in the YouTube Channels listed in the Recorded Lectures section for help to get started with the software
* If you want a more powerful tool and want to learn more, please explore other options listed in the above table.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon successfully completing the course, students will be able to conduct the following:
• describe the rationale for designing and deploying database management systems
• explain the differences between Relational Database Management Systems and NoSQL Database
Management Systems
• communicate the various forms of data integrity (domain, entity and referential)
• define the process of developing a fully-normalized database design
• explain the structural components of databases (entities, attributes, data types & indexes)
• perform queries and analysis of data using SQL programming language
• articulate concepts of ACID properties and principles of transaction management
• describe legal and ethical issues related to data privacy and ownership

EVALUATION:
Assignments balance between theory and practice and between individual and group work.
Assessment % Grade
2 Quizzes 30%
5 Labs 35%

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Database project 35%

ATTENDANCE
This course will meet once a week on Saturday. Your attendance is paramount to your success in this class. Contact
the instructor if you have a question about the class attendance.

DATABASE PROJECT
Students will form teams of up to 5 and develop a relational database based on reading and class lectures. The
project will have the following deliverables:

Deliverable % Points
P1. Team Formation, DB Topic and Objectives 3 3
P2. Database Design, Initial ERD 12 12
P3. Final ERD 2 2
P4. Database Implementation 10 10
P5. Presentation 8 8

The rubrics for the project grading is Completeness 40%, Correctness 40%, and Creativity 20%.

Team Formation, Database Topic and Mission Statement/Objectives

Form a team of up to five members. Team members will collaborate to decide a database topic, mission
statement, and mission objectives that the database will accomplish.

It is strongly suggested that each team model a database for a type of organization that they have relatively
deep understanding---such as the current or previous work experience or perhaps a personal hobby. In the
past, students have created databases to capture data about the video rental stores, bike repair shops, beer
tasting/review professionals, athletic leagues, and airlines. Students are encouraged to use their imagination!

The mission objectives may be like Book Sale, Inventory Control, etc., for a Book Store database.

* Individual submission is required.

Database Design and Initial ERD

Based on the reading and class lectures, each team will create an initial Entity-Relationship diagram (ERD) that
depicts the database topic chosen in the first project assignment and is normalized to the Third Normal Form. This
database will allow for data collection, processing, and reporting. The target for the initial ERD is 12 entities or
more.

In addition to the ERD, students should submit a database design document containing the description of the
business problems being addressed by their database, listing all entities and how they are related to each other, and
explaining the key design decisions. The business problems being addressed could be similar to the mission
statement completed earlier. An example of the key database design decisions is why an entity is included in the
database.

* Individual submission is required.

Final ERD

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Based on the instructor’s feedback of the initial ERD, each team will make improvements to the initial ERD. Most
likely, these changes will be in regards to further ‘normalization’ of the database entities, reducing redundant data,
and recognizing additional entities.

In addition to submitting a fine-tuned ERD, each team will also submit a brief description identifying the changes
made to the initial ERD. It is also important to update the design document to reflect the design changes.
Resubmission of the updated design document is not required at this time.

* Individual submission is required.

Database Implementation
Each team will submit the ‘SQL code’ to implement the database design as well as enter the appropriate amount of
data (at least 10 rows for each table) using the SQL INSERT scripts, Data Import Wizard, and/or stored procedures.
Specific objects to be reflected in the code include the database, tables, data types, primary and foreign keys, and
views. Each team is expected to create at least 2 views (often used for reporting purposes).

The implementation must include at least two of the following three items:
• Table-level CHECK Constraints based on a function
• Computed Columns based on a function
• Column Data Encryption

* Individual submission is required.

Project Presentation
Each team will present the database design project to the class. The presentation should include the following items.

1) A Power Point slide deck, containing highlights, to showcase the project

2) The up-to-date design document
3) The final ERD
4) The SQL DDL statements for implementing the database
5) At least two views for reporting purposes and the SQL DDL statements used to create them
6) At least two reports (Using a data mining tool, such as PowerBI and/or Tableau, is required)
7) Audio/Video presentation if preferred but not required
8) Only one member of a team needs to submit the presentation materials

LATE WORK
All assignments must be submitted to the class Canvas site for the course on the due date before 11:59 pm. If you
turn in an assignment late, 10% credit will be deducted from the total score for each day after the deadline.
Assignments turned in more than one week late will not receive credit. In the case of unexpected events, you must
contact the instructor before the assignment due date in order to receive a grace period.

ACADEMIC HONESTY & PLAGIARISM

Occurrences of academic dishonesty, such as submitting work that is not the student's own, will be dealt with
according to the NEU's and COE's policies on the academic dishonesty. Students who allow their work to be
copied will be treated the same as those who copy it.

Please read what constitutes the academic dishonesty and how the University will respond to such incidents:
http://www.northeastern.edu/osccr/academic-integrity-policy/

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Academic integrity is important for two reasons. First, independent and original work ensures that students derive
the most from their educational experience and the pursuit of knowledge. Second, academic dishonesty violates the
most fundamental values of an intellectual community and depreciates the achievements of the entire University. It
is the student's responsibility to know and follow the codes of academic dishonesty.

GRADING CRITERIA
Work in this course will be graded to criteria. In other words, you won't be graded on a curve. Each assignment is
designed to test your achievement against one or more of the learning objectives. Different assignments emphasize
different learning objectives. The meanings of grades are described below:

Letter Percent
A 100-94
A- 93.99-90
B+ 89.99-87
B 86.99-84
B- 83.99-80
C+ 79.99-77
C 76.99-74
C- 73.99-70

Class Schedule
Important Note: Changes may occur to the syllabus at the instructor's discretion. When changes are made, students
will be notified via Canvas and/or in-class announcement.

Week One: September 11 - 17

General Database Purpose and Development History
Presents an overview of the entire course as well as an introduction to the reasons behind the growth of database
management systems (DBMS). It explores the history of database use and the mistakes and dead-ends of the past to
present the student with a context in which to develop criteria for judging database design and effectiveness.

Reading
• chapter 1: “Introduction to Databases” (Connolly& Begg) - Optional
• chapter 4: “The Relational model (1980 - present)” (Connolly& Begg)

Week Two: September 18 - 24

Entity–Relationship Modeling
Basic concepts of diagramming business objects are presented in this lesson; how to identify entities, attributes,
relationships and cardinality. Lecture includes Primary Keys and Foreign Keys that align with business rules.

Reading
• chapter 10: “Database System Development Lifecycle” (Connolly& Begg)
• chapter 12: “Entity–Relationship Modeling” (Connolly& Begg)
• chapter 13: “Enhanced Entity–Relationship Modeling” (Connolly& Begg)

Assignment
P1 Due

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Week Three: September 25 - October 1

Conceptual and Logical Database Design
Processes for conducting the conceptual and logical database design are discussed.

Normalization
This lesson presents the Normalization process for fine-tuning and validating the database design.

MongoDB Aggregation Pipeline

Introduction to the MongoDB Aggregation Pipeline is presented.

Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL)

Introduction to the standard database language, SQL, is presented.

Reading
• chapter 6: “SQL: Data Manipulation (DML)” (Connolly& Begg) - Optional
• chapter 14: “Normalization” (Connolly& Begg)
• chapter 16: “Methodology: Conceptual Database Design” (Connolly& Begg)
• chapter 17: “Methodology: Logical Database Design for Relational Model” (Connolly& Begg)

Assignment
Lab 1 Due

Week Four: October 2 - 8

Database Constraints
Database integrity constraints (domain, entity and referential) are discussed.

SQL Concepts
SELECT

Reading
• chapter 3: “SQL Server Management Studio” (Petkovic) - Optional

Week Five: October 9 - 15

Physical Database Design
This module explores the database design process which adapts to a database management system for
implementation.

SQL Concepts
Aggregate Functions and GROUP BY; JOIN

Reading
• chapter 6: “Queries” (Petkovic)
• chapter 18: “Physical Database Design for Relational Databases” (Connolly& Begg) - Optional

Assignment
P2 Due

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Week Six: October 16 - 22

Database Objects
Database objects that are common in nearly all databases, such as indices, are explored.

SQL Concepts
Subquery; CTE

Reading
• chapter 7: “SQL: Data Definition (DDL)” (Connolly& Begg) - Optional
• chapter 10: “Indices” (Petkovic)

Assignment
Lab 2 Due

Week Seven: October 23 - 29

Database Design Review
Week seven is for review and exploration of the initial ERDs submitted by each student group.

SQL Concepts
CASE and RANK

Assignment
Lab 3 Due (Sunday)

Week Eight: October 30 - November 5

Transaction Management / ACID Properties
Transaction Management describes the principles of managing data consistency and integrity while processing
transactions. The concepts of ACID properties are also introduced.

SQL Concepts
Explicit Transaction

Reading
• chapter 22: “Transaction Management (ACID Properties)” (Connolly& Begg)
• chapter 13 “Concurrency Control” (Petkovic)

Assignment
Quiz 1
Attendance is mandatory

Week Nine: November 6 – 12

Database Security
Data and database security is explored in this module.

SQL Concepts
DDL; Recursive Processing; Graph

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Reading
• chapter 12: “Security System of the Database Engine” (Petkovic)
• chapter 20: “Security and Administration” (Connolly& Begg) - Optional
• chapter 21: “Professional, Legal, and Ethical Issues” (Connolly& Begg)
• chapter 5: “Data Definition Language” (Petkovic)
• chapter 11: “Views” (Petkovic)

Assignment
Lab 4 Due

Week Ten: November 13 - 19

Database Constraints and Business Rules

Discussion will include the need for specifying constraints that reflect business rules unique to the organization
using the database. Defining, documenting as well as coding the restrictions required of the data is presented.

SQL Concepts
Stored Procedures and Functions; APPLY

Assignment
Lab 5 Due
P3 Due

Week Eleven: November 20 - 26

Data Warehousing Concepts: Design

Discussion will include the history and evolution of data warehousing, its main concepts and the competitive
advantages that businesses realize after implementing data warehouse. An overview of data warehousing
components and the process of construction are presented. ETL tools are presented.

Online Analytical Processing and Data Mining Concepts

Aspects of mining data from large-scale databases are analyzed with a focus on Multidimensional Data Model and
OLAP. Data mining tools are discussed.

SQL Concepts
PIVOT

Reading
• chapter 31: “Data Warehousing Concepts” (Connolly& Begg)
• chapter 32: “Data Warehouse Design” (Connolly& Begg)
• chapter 34: “Data Mining” (Connolly& Begg) - Optional

Assignment
P4 Due

Week Twelve: November 27 - December 3

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Database Administration Concepts I

Aspects of administering large-scale databases are analyzed with a focus on challenges of production operations.
Topics include monitoring and maintenance.

Reading
• chapter 19: “Methodology: Monitoring & Tuning the Operational System” (Connolly& Begg)

Assignment
Quiz 2
Attendance is mandatory

Week Thirteen: December 4 - 10

Database Administration Concepts II

Aspects of administering large-scale databases are analyzed with a focus on challenges of production operations.
Topics include monitoring, troubleshooting and optimization.

Reading
• supplemental reading TBD

Assignment
Team Project Presentations Saturday, 11:30 am Boston time (8:30 am Pacific time)
Attendance is mandatory

Week Fourteen: December 11 – 16

TBD

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Student Accommodations
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students who qualify under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act
(ADAAA) to participate fully in the activities of the university. To receive accommodations through the DRC, students must
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For more information, visit http://www.northeastern.edu/drc/getting-started-with-the-drc/.

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