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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Microsoft Access: Database Management
Course: CIS117DM

First Term: 2012 Spring
 Lec + Lab   3 Credit(s)   5 Period(s)   4.4 Load  
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S


Description: Introduction to the basic elements, exploration of additional components and common database management problems related to the Microsoft Access program.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Place database programs within the larger context of recent computer history. (I)
2. Identify the various types of database management programs. (I)
3. Describe the main features, advantages, and limitations of this specific program. (II)
4. Operate the database program and the microcomputer on which it runs, at an elementary level. (III)
5. Create database files. (IV)
6. Add, delete and alter records within the database files. (IV)
7. Retrieve information for screen display and printing. (V)
8. Use a full complement of database commands and selection tools. (VI)
9. Access multiple files simultaneously (as supported by specific database software). (VII)
10. Use various numerical, character, date and logical expressions. (VIII)
11. Present database records in various organized ways (alphabetic, numerical, by date, etc.) (IX)
12. Investigate solutions for a variety of common data management problems. (X)
13. Employ specific special production features of the database program. (XI)
14. Describe additional database features. (XII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction to history and theory of databases
   A. History of databases and file management
   B. Survey of data types
II. Overview of the specific database being studied
   A. Main features
      1. Files
      2. Fields
      3. Records
      4. Reports
      5. Indexes
      6. Other
   B. Advantages and limitations
      1. Capacity
      2. User-friendly aids and shortcuts
      3. Frequent problems and disadvantages
III. Running the specific database program
   A. Database environment; keyboard; function keys; screen; other
   B. Launching/quitting the program
   C. Issuing commands and making menu selections
IV. Creation of simple database files
   A. Making elementary file structures
   B. Filling the file with appropriate data
   C. Changing the file
      1. Altering the file`s structure
      2. Changing, deleting, and adding records
V. Information retrieval
   A. Retrieving files, records, and fields
      1. Global and selective retrieval
      2. Elementary query methods
   B. Viewing and printing the results
      1. Browsing, displaying, listing data on the screen
      2. Sending organized data to a variety of printers
VI. Database commands and selectons
   A. Syntax of database commands
   B. Options for database commands
VII. Accessing multiple files
VIII. Creating varied expressions
   A. Mathematical computations
   B. String manipulations
   C. Dates and their uses
   D. Logical operators
   E. Sums, averages, counts, and other statistics
   F. Functions
IX. Reordering the database
   A. Permanent reorganization
      1. Sorting
      2. Other
   B. Indexing
      1. Simple indexes
      2. Compound indexes
X. One or more of these typical database management problems
   A. Payroll
   B. Real Estate management
   C. Personnel files
   D. Inventory
   E. Grades and rosters
   F. Information files
   G. Other examples
XI. Special database considerations
   A. Mailing lists
   B. Labels
   C. Customized reports and forms
XII. Topics to be covered in Advanced Database Software
   A. Preview of programming features
   B. Applications generation
   C. Interfacing with other applications
      1. Word processors
      2. Spreadsheets
      3. Other databases
   D. Additional query methods
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date:  11/22/2005

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.