Course Syllabus

IT 201 - Database Fundamentals

Fall 2019 (Item #6187)

Course Information

• Meeting times: TTh 8-9:50am, F 9-9:50am
• Location: AC 310
• Credits: 5
• Prerequisite: none

Instructor Information

• Name: Tina Ostrander
• Email: tostrander@greenriver.edu 
• Office Hours, AC 360C
  • MTWTh 1-2:15pm
  • by appointment (email me with 2-3 times that you are available)
• I will reply to emails within one business day. If you haven't heard back by then, please try again in case my spam folder ate your message!

Course Description

Covers the management of database tables, queries, views, indexes, and constraints using a Database Management System (DBMS) and Structured Query Language (SQL). Hands-on exercises include the analysis, troubleshooting, and problem solving of real world database scenarios.

Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

1. Understand and manipulate database objects using CREATE, ALTER, and DROP statements.
2. Understand and manipulate data using SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements.
3. Understand, design and implement PRIMARY KEY and FOREIGN KEY constraints.
4. Understand, design, and create SQL queries with inner and outer joins.
5. Understand, design, and create SQL queries that utilize set operations and subqueries.
6. Understand basic concepts of database security and techniques used to secure databases.

Program Outcomes

3. Understand and demonstrate basic programming and database constructs. This outcome will be assessed through the exercises, quizzes, and exams.

Campus Learning Outcomes

• Critical Thinking: Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
• Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning encompasses abilities necessary for a student to become literate in today’s technological world. Quantitative reasoning begins with basic skills and extends to problem solving.

Course Resources

Required Textbook

• Lynn Beighley, Head First SQL: Your Brain on SQL – A Learner's Guide. ISBN 978-0-596-52684-9. Available from the campus bookstore or online.

Canvas

All assignments, supplementary materials, the course schedule, due dates, and updates to this syllabus will be posted to the course web site in Canvas at https://egator.greenriver.edu/

Check the course web site and your @mail.greenriver.edu email account daily for important announcements.

If you have any questions about the course, reading, or the homework, please post them to Canvas Discussions. This will enable you to get an answer to your questions more quickly, and also help classmates who might have the same question. If you see a question in the Discussions that you think you can answer, please do so! 

If you have questions of a personal nature, such as regarding a specific grade or scheduling an appointment, then either email me or visit me during office hours.

Tutors

There are tutors available both at Auburn Center and the main campus (Holman Library) for all IT Software Development classes. View the Tutoring Schedule

Tutoring Protocols

• It is OK to ask a tutor for feedback on your assignment ahead of time.
• It is OK to bounce ideas off a tutor and/or for them to suggest specific constructs for approaching a problem.
• It is OK to go over how specific constructs work (e.g. Try stuff in a sandbox)
• It is OK to debug your code with a tutor as long as the tutor is asking questions and not dictating exactly how to correct each mistake.
  
• It is NOT OK for a tutor to "drive" by correcting or writing code for you.
• It is NOT OK for a tutor to dictate a step-by-step approach to solving the problem.
• It is NOT OK for a tutor to show you their own solution to an individual assignment.

Student Portal

my.greenriver.edu contains information and links for important student resources.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning provides a wide range of technical video tutorials, and is free to Green River students.

Course Policies

Late Work

All assignments are posted well in advance, so be sure to get an early start! Late assignments will be accepted up to one week after the due date, and will receive 50% credit. Pair programs may be turned in within one week of the due date without penalty.

Attendance

Regular attendance and participation are required to succeed in this course. Absences have a huge impact on your learning. If missing a class is unavoidable, you are responsible for making arrangements with a classmate to get  any missed announcements, handouts, or lecture material.

The Donut Rule

Cell phones and pagers must be turned off while in the classroom. If your cell phone rings in class, you owe me a latte the next class period. If my phone rings in class, everyone gets doughnuts!

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Tutors

There are tutors available for all Software Development classes. View the Tutoring Schedule.

Tutoring Protocols

• It is OK to share your assignment solution with a tutor ahead of time and ask for feedback and suggestions.
• It is OK to bounce ideas off a tutor and/or for them to suggest specific constructs for approaching a problem.
• It is OK to go over how specific constructs work (e.g. Try stuff in a sandbox)
• It is OK to debug your code with a tutor as long as the tutor is asking questions and not dictating exactly how to correct each mistake.
• It is NOT OK for a tutor to "drive" by correcting or writing code for you.
• It is NOT OK for a tutor to dictate a step by step approach to solving the problem.
• It is NOT OK for a tutor to show you their own solution to an individual assignment.

Academic Integrity and Collaboration

Plagiarism is knowingly submitting someone else's ideas, words, or code as your own. It is intentional deception, and it undermines your learning. If I suspect plagiarism, I will meet with you to verify that the work is yours.

You may use AI tools for learning or research, but you are responsible for checking their accuracy. All submitted work must be your own. Submitting AI-generated work will be treated as academic dishonesty.

These restrictions ensure that you build real understanding of technical concepts and problem-solving skills. Software Development and Data Analytics require active engagement, critical thinking, and hands-on practice. Prohibiting AI-generated text helps you develop debugging skills, algorithmic thinking, creativity, and the ability to apply concepts independently.

Relying on your own effort and collaborating with peers prepares you for real-world work where coding proficiency matters. While AI tools have their place, this course focuses on building a strong foundation you can use in future academic and professional settings.

Seek help from the instructor, tutors, peers, and course materials whenever needed. Embrace the learning process and persist through challenges.

If any submitted work is not your own, the assignment will receive a zero. Repeat offenses will result in failing the course.

Grading

Grading in this course consists of your demonstrated competency and professionalism. If you have any questions or concerns about a course grade, talk to the instructor within two weeks of receiving the grade. A passing grade consists of a 1.0 or higher.

Grades will be converted according to the following scale:

Counseling Services

Counseling Services provides short-term mental health counseling and self-care/wellness education to Green River students. Workshops and consultation services are offered for staff, faculty, and student organizations. Services are free and confidential.

Counseling Services are provided by licensed psychologists, social workers, and professional mental health therapists. We are here to help by providing support to explore emotional concerns, developing new awareness and skills, and mobilizing your existing strengths, qualities and abilities. While some people who seek counseling have chronic emotional difficulties, most are dealing with normal life events and are simply in need of an objective listener - someone who doesn't judge and who can help you see new alternatives.

Please visit https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/campus-resources/counseling-services/ for more information, or to schedule an appointment.

Financial Assistance

Are you balancing a combination of school, work, or life? Are you working as hard as you can, but still having a hard time keeping up with bills and the rising cost of living? Green River provides access to resources to help you get by, get ahead, and stay ahead, so that you can achieve your college and career goals.

The Benefits Hub offers one-stop financial assistance and enrollment in benefits, including:

• FAFSA/WASFA Assistance
• Utility Assistance
• Homelessness Prevention and Housing Navigation
• Financial Coaching
• Food Resources
• Help Paying for Financial Emergencies
• Connections to Additional Community Resources
• Enrollment in Public Benefits (ORCA Lift, Food Stamps, Healthcare)

Visit the Benefits Hub for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Additional Information

For information about Accessibility, Accommodations, and Mandatory Reporters, please visit https://www.greenriver.edu/syllabus-info

Software Dev Student Portal at http://greenrivertech.net