Database for Communications

PACE Program at UMKC

Instructor: Michael Strong

Email: StrongM@umkc.edu
Phone: 816-471-4110, cell: 816-674-1143

Books

There are no course books in terms of following any set of chapters in a book. However there are books we recommend for the course as companion literature. During the lessons you will be referred to chapters which have information and further help for the work in the lesson.

These books cover the basics of most operations in Access. Indeed they will take you further than the eight sessions we will have in this short course. Some of the extended items we will touch on but emphasis is on getting you up and running with practical knowledge for practical needs here and now.

These books are available in most local bookstores and on line.

Access 2002 For Dummies
by John Kaufeld, Pub. Date: 2001-06-01, ISBN: 0764508180
About $22 (I like to note that the "dummies" books are really, very smart books.)
Dummies.Com

 

Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft® Access 2002 in 21 Days
by Paul Cassel, Craig Eddy, Pub. Date: Dec 18, 2001 - ISBN: 0672321033
About $36 (or also Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Access 2000)
Sam's Publishing

 

 

Software

Microsoft Office Professional 2000 or 2002
NOTE: Only the PROFESSIONAL version of office includes Access.
We have Access in the labs so if you don't have Access on your own machine this may be an alternative.
The Educational price for Office PROFESSIONAL is a little less than $200 right now (you will have to show that you are a student) which is way less than the $400-$500 regular price.

More Information coming on exercises, tests, grading, assignments and time requirements.

Course

Brief look at the topics - In Eight "Segments" - NOTE: some of these will change before the course starts but the general thrust in each segment will be what you see here. Watch for direct links to the exercises and guided notes. Look also for the login section. Both will be up and ready shortly before the course starts.

  1. Tour of database territory
    1. What is a database
    2. What is a table
    3. Who are Access, SQL Server, Sybase, Informix, Oracle, MySQL, AskSam, etc.
    4. Tour of the "job" to be done
    5. Tour of the Access user interface
    6. Creating the job
  2. Entering and Editing
    1. Creating a database
    2. Creating tables
    3. Using Table and Field Properties.
    4. Understanding Key Fields and Indexes.
    5. Understanding Nulls and Empty Fields
  3. Finding Data
    1. datasheet view
    2. Finding, Filtering, and Sorting
    3. Forms
  4. Queries
    1. A First Query.
    2. Filtering and Sorting in Queries.
    3. Multi-table Queries.
  5. Database searching: getting information
    1. Query with very many Answers
    2. Ands and Ors
    3. Queries that Calculate
    4. Queries that Count.
  6. Reports (output)
    1. Report Wizard.
    2. The Report Design View.
    3. Grouping in Reports.
    4. Sums, Subtotals, and Running Sums.
    5. Page Layout Settings.
    6. Mailing Labels
  7. Professional Reports
    1. Filtering Data for Reports.
    2. Sorting and Grouping.
    3. Understanding Crosstab Reports.
  8. Pulling it together
    1. Exercise review of material
    2. Notes about SQL, Importing, Exporting


Take a look at the above material. Determine how and where you will have access to Access.

VERY IMPORTANT: Online courses are great because you get to work on the material when you can without a set class time or place. That's the good part. The tough part comes from this great part. To really make this work you MUST (repeat MUST) make sure you get to it first. It is always very tempting to put it off to the end because you don't have to come in to class with your work in hand for that day. Don't do it (yes, we all do it to some extent but none of us is going to admit it). Dig in, don't try for too much at a time. But just dig in regularly and you will get where you need to go when you need to be there.

Good Luck!

And keep looking for updates to this page.

Thanks,

Mike Strong