Overview
Computer Science 602: Enterprise Information Management is a course about databases, how they fit into an organization, what needs they seek to address, and what can be done with them. These topics are addressed in the context of understanding the information needs of an organization and exploring how and when such information is needed.
The emphasis throughout this course is not so much on achieving high levels of technical competence in advanced technologies, but more so on being able to manage information in a manner that benefits an organization. To illustrate and contextualize such high-level concepts and ground them in something more concrete, the course turns to the practical aspects of the technologies of data modelling (including normalization), the SQL language, and several database management tools and methods.
COMP 602 is ideally suited to the hybrid manager who must be able to communicate with and understand the needs of both technologists and the end users of technologies within an organization.
Outline
COMP 602 includes seven units:
- Unit 1: Introduction
- Unit 2: Data Modelling
- Unit 3: Normalization
- Unit 4: SQL
- Unit 5: Database Management
- Unit 6: Beyond the RDBMS
- Unit 7: Project
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- analyze business data needs and requirements for data-driven systems.
- apply appropriate methodologies to the design of data-driven systems.
- install and manage a database management system.
- write queries to retrieve, update, and insert data using a database management system in accordance with business needs.
- create and implement effective security policies and procedures to fit business needs and address potential threats.
- apply methods of data optimization and performance improvement to address business data needs.
- manage faults and use fault-prevention techniques in a database management system.
- argue the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to data management.
- solve problems in technology, technique, and process relating to database management and design.
- independently and reflectively research issues, technologies, processes, and tools in information management.
- critically evaluate information and data technologies in the context of organizational needs.
- be a reflective practitioner in the information management field.
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMP 602, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least B– (70 percent) and an average grade of at least 60 percent on the assignments.
The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Foundations portfolio | 60% |
| Research project portfolio | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Materials
Main readings
The readings for this course are based on a growing shared collection of resources provided by your instructor and students / former students of the course through a social bookmarking system. As a result, content is fluid and ever-changing. The mix includes academic papers, online tools, and primary resources.
Special course features
COMP 602 is a read/write course to which all students are expected to contribute collaboratively (working together) and cooperatively (working individually but allowing others to benefit from the results).
COMP 602 requires engagement with others within the course and significant sharing of work produced, some of which is optional, some of which is required.
Optionally, students may engage on external sites. While guidelines and principles are provided to make this as safe as possible, such sites are beyond the control of the University.
Special instructional features
In keeping with the read/write ethos of the course, students will contribute to the content, which will in some cases build for future cohorts and may utilize the work of others in previous cohorts. You are therefore requested to leave work done on this course for the benefit of later students. The assessment is portfolio based and requires you to display evidence of having met the learning outcomes, which may be achieved in many different ways depending on interests and needs. Social software is used throughout to assist in the development of the learning community.