TUTORIAL 1
    IMPORTANT: Students should complete the tutorial questions prior to attending the corresponding tutorial/practical classes. Students may discuss in groups for their tutorial questions.

    Tutorial Questions

      Students please first form groups of 2-3 people (3 is more ideal) in class for the tutorial discussions (these are not for the group assignments though). Students are expected to remain in the same group for the whole semester. However, individual tutors may ask memebers of existing incomplete groups to form a new group for the presentation for a particular tutorial class. Each week, approximately 2 such groups will be randomly selected to present in class some tutorial questions picked by the individual tutor, and each presentation carries 2 marks for each member of the group.

      The presentations will definitely start on the 2nd tutorial (week 3), if not earlier, and students should prepare their answers to the tutorial questions before the start of the relevant tut/practical class, if they are to gain good marks for their presentations. The presentations will be evaluated according to the correctness and thoroughness of their explanations, the proper participation of all the group members, as well as the overall communication quality.

    1. List 4 examples of databases other than those in Chapter 1, Section 1.1 and the lecture notes.
    2. Describe each of the following terms:
      1. data
      2. database
      3. database management system
      4. database application program
      5. data independence
    3. What are the advantages of using a database system instead of simply storing data in operating system files?

    Once these tutorial questions have been discussed the tutor will direct students to completing practical exercises. The same will appy to all the future practical classes unless otherwise specified.

    Practical Questions

    Solutions to practical questions should be developed during the tutorial/practical session. It is essential that any practical questions not completed in the scheduled tutorial/practical time are completed in the students own time prior to the tutorial/practical session in the following week.

    The aim of this week's practical session is to ensure that you can gain access to the SQL Server DBMS environment and to begin the Microsoft Access activities.

    1. Read through the document titled SQL Server Instructions. If there is a problem with your SQL Server login send an email to the SQL Server Administrator (DBA) and ask for his assistance. All such relevant details are contained in the document.

      It is each student's individual responsibility to ensure that they have access to SQL Server. You may also download a free version from Microsoft web site. If you have been unsuccessful at logging in today you will need to return to the computer lab well ahead of your next Database Design and Development practical to check that your access is setup. In the past students have quickly fallen behind in their Practical work due to issues surrounding their SQL Server access.

    2. Complete the Activity 1, and part of Activity 2, as specified in the Introduction to MS ACCESS. The remaining activities need to be completed during the next week.

    Attendance Marks

    • There are 8 marks associated with the student attendance of the weekly tutorial/practical sessions. These marks are for attending the 1st - 10th tut/prac (P1-P10) in which you are not presenting, 1 mark each time. When presenting, however, a maximum of 2 marks will be given instead of the 1 attendance mark. A student will not be given the full attendance mark if he or she is 10 minutes late or leaves earlier unless approved by the respective tutor.

    Exercise Marks

    • Some questions from the tutorial/practicals are selected for the students to submit formally. They are in the form of addtional exercises, see also the link at the main schedule page. They are composed of two parts due at two different dates.