Transforming a Database Systems Design Course for Non Computer Science Majors

摘要

Methods of instruction for many undergraduate courses in database systems and design still focus primarily on lectures and a single all encompassing design project to reinforce database concepts. This paper describes how the Database Systems course, taught at the United States Military Academy, (USMA) has evolved to include immediate concept reinforcement in the classroom using networked PCs and a graphically oriented relational database and application development software tool for each cadet.Heretofore many relational database concepts such as integrity constraints, relationship constraints, triggers, cascading modifications, and transaction processing were discussed in theory and not thoroughly demonstrated. Our course incorporates immediate concept demonstration using running courseware examples that graphically illustrate practical application of the underlying theory. These examples, for instance, allow direct mapping from theoretical discussions of Relational Algebra to SQL implementation, and finally to Query-By-Example construction.The traditional course culminated in a final project of limited practical use. This delayed mastery of the theory until completion of the course project still leaving students without a meaningful product to show for their efforts. With direct application of the theory in our course, understanding is immediate. This allows successful integration of an early project of equal magnitude to the usual final design project. Later, a capstone design project is permitted emphasizing group interaction with a real world client and team development of a viable, stand-alone database application. To conclude the course, groups orally present their product in class and write a technical report supporting their work.