Applied Database Administration and Design

This intensive, hands-on course is the prerequisite for all advanced database courses in BCIT Computing programs. COMP 1630 is equivalent to the Full-time CST and CIT Diploma database courses and provides an introduction to relational database design concepts and industry standards. Students learn the tools and processes for data modeling in Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) in a Windows PC lab environment. They also focus on the Structured Query Language, SQL to define and manipulate data. Topics include functional dependencies, normalization, database design methodologies, entity relationship modeling and the use of UML as a diagramming notation. Advanced topics include: an introduction to SQL, DDL- data definition language and DML- data manipulation language, views, security, transaction management, triggers and stored procedures. Current trends in database such as replication, object-relational DBMS, data warehousing, OLAP- online analytical processing and database uses web technology are discussed. Students in COMP 1630 are required to attend one face to face meeting each week, participate in group work, and an online component, plus complete reading and assignments outside of class. Upon successful completion, participants will be able to design and implement a database application and be prepared to move on to higher level database courses including: Data Warehouse, Data Quality, MySQL, MS Business Intelligence, MS SQL Server and Oracle.
Prerequisite(s):

• COMP 1002

Business Analysis and Systems Design is the study of concepts, processes and tools that professionals use to plan and develop information systems to industry standards. Computer Systems Certificate, CSC students must complete COMM 1103 or COMM 1106 prior to COMP 2831. This course assumes that all participants have strong English communication and interpersonal skills. Students must provide their own current model PC, i5 or higher equivalent processor, 8 GB of RAM minimum, and 256 GB minimum storage. High-speed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. Beginning with an introduction to the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), students work in teams to initiate the system process, analyze problems, discover requirements and create a logical design. Participants will work in groups to ask implicit questions in order to make better decisions. They will then document detailed communication plans prior to developing an information system. COMP 2831 provides the foundation for all BCIT Computing development credentials. Topics include: techniques used in the discovery of business requirements, traditional approaches to data and process modelling. There is an overview of Object-Oriented Modelling techniques using the Unified Modelling Language (UML) as well as an introduction to Project Management. Please Note: Attendance, participation in class and the BCIT Learning Hub are mandatory. Students may have an average total time commitment of 13+ hours per week; 3 hours of synchronous class time, a 1-hour online component, plus 9+ hours of homework each week. Participants work in groups, to provide detailed written materials and to make presentations of their designs. Upon completion, successful students will be able to use industry standard tools and methods to analyze, design, document, present, implement information systems and move on to COMP 2833 Agile Methods and the Scrum Framework. ​
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 2501 or 60% in COMP 1630

Microsoft PowerShell is a popular task automation and configuration framework. PowerShell includes scripting tools to automate and control systems, programs and files to improve productivity and reduce effort in all aspects of Windows computing. COMP 3771 is a hands-on lab course aimed network or database administrators and software developers. PowerShell scripts are used for network or database automation, monitoring and maintenance, and can also automate tasks for testing software programs and rapid application development. Starting with a basic introduction to scripting with the Command Prompt window, the course then focuses on how to use MS PowerShell with Windows. There will be a brief overview of using Azure resources in PowerShell. COMP 3771 is an elective in the Applied Network Administration and Design, and Applied Database Administration and Design Associate Certificates, plus the CST FLEX Diploma. Students must provide their own current model Windows capable PC, i5 or higher equivalent processor, 8 GB of RAM minimum, and 256 GB minimum storage. High-speed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. Successful participants will be able to automate many tasks with Microsoft PowerShell and reduce repetitive tasks by creating scripts that can run interactively or automatically. This course is offered in April (spring/summer) and September (fall) terms.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1516 or 60% in COMP 1630 or 60% in COMP 3700

Continuing on from COMP 1630 this course is aimed at students who already understand relational database, data modeling and the importance of improving Data Quality (DQ). Survey topics include the business impact of DQ, data profiling techniques, DQ capability/maturity models, Data Governance, DQ improvement roadmaps and approaches to gaining executive support for the DQ improvement program. In class labs, homework assignments and a project focus on how to use Data Quality techniques and tools. Successful participants learn how to apply a data quality framework to data migration projects and are better prepared to move on to the specific Business Intelligence Analytic tools covered in: COMP 4679 and COMP 4681.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1630

​​Following on from COMP 1630, students who already understand data modeling, relational database design and SQL are provided with an in-depth understanding of designing MS SQL Server 2016 databases. This hand-on course is SQL Server 2016 specific, so those who have taken MS SQL 2000/2005/2008/2012 will also benefit and be able to better plan migration to SQL Server 2016. Topics include: architecture, installing and configuring SQL Server, physical database design, creation, maintenance, security, and high availability solutions. Exercises and labs focus on creating, deploying, optimizing and maintaining enterprise SQL Server 2016 databases to help students obtain an understanding from a database administrator perspective. Successful participants will learn to install and configure SQL Server 2016, to plan and set policies for system access, end-users, back-ups, disaster recovery, and to troubleshoot and to manage database security.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1630

​This hands-on course is aimed at BCIT Computing students who want to develop and implement an IT project plan. Students focus on Project Management best practices and decisions which apply across the IT sector including software development, building web sites and data analytics systems. COMP 1288 begins with a definition of Project Management fundamentals and terminology. Topics include: stakeholders, scope, deliverables, phases, milestones, deadlines, scheduling, estimates and budgets. Labs and exercises are designed to create project plans that identify and manage risk and take into account quality measures. There is a basic introduction to Microsoft Project software. Participants apply strategies to communicate project progress to stakeholders to keep IT projects on time and on budget. COMP 1288 is an elective in the Applied Computer Information Systems, ACIS and Agile Development Associate Certificates, it is required for the CST/PTS Diploma. Upon successful completion students will have an introduction to project management concepts and be able to conduct a post project evaluation.
Prerequisite(s):

• COMP 1002

This hands-on course follows on from COMP 1002 -Applied Computer Concepts and is aimed at students who are already able to use a Windows PC and able to manage files on a network, in the cloud. Topics include essential skills for proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint using a student version of MS Office 365, hosted by BCIT. COMP 2010 includes lectures, lab exercises and assignments outside of class in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint. Students will also receive an introduction to simple databases with MS Access and be prepared to move on to the follow-on 6-week courses offered once per year: COMP 2361 MS Word Advanced in October, and COMP 2362 MS Excel Advanced in June. COMP 2010 is required in the Applied Computer Information Systems (ACIS) Associate Certificate. It is an elective in the Technical Writing Associate Certificate and the Computer Systems PTS Diploma from BCIT Computing. Upon successful completion, students will be able to create, edit and manage documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in the cloud.
Prerequisite(s):

• COMP 1002

​Power BI is a Microsoft collection of tools and an analytics service for data visualization and business intelligence reporting. BCIT Computing offers a series of MS Power Bi courses. COMP 2156 is a hands-on intro course designed for database professionals, data analysts, business analysts and managers. It follows on from COMP 2362 or COMP 2364, it assumes that students have an understanding of statistics for data analysis and advanced functions of MS Excel. Students begin with a brief introduction to the building blocks of Microsoft Power BI and its related services. They are shown how to get a variety of data into the Power BI Desktop from multiple sources. In class labs and exercises focus on how to model, explore, clean and transform simple data for business reports. Topics include: Data Analysis Expressions, DAX, relationships and Data Visualization. Labs and assignments are designed to provide best practices that can be transferred to the workplace. Participants must provide their own current model PC capable of running Windows 10 and MS Excel, with an i5 or higher equivalent processor, 8 GB minimum RAM, and 256 GB minimum storage. High-speed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. COMP 2156 is an elective in several BCIT Computing credentials including the CST Diploma (FLEX), and a required course in the Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC). By the end of this course successful students will be able use the Power BI unified analytics platform to build and publish high quality dashboards to the web. They will be prepared to move on to the next level COMP 3156 –MS Power BI Optimization and COMP 3157–MS Power BI Advanced Data Visualization.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 2362 or 60% in COMP 2364

​Crystal Reports by SAP is a low-code well established reporting solution used to create reports and dashboards from a wide variety of data sources, with minimal coding for Business Intelligence (BI). Students who know how to use a Windows PC and MS Office are introduced to planning and developing business intelligence reports. COMP 2252 participants will create dynamic reports and dashboards. Labs and exercises apply best practices in: report design, how to extract and manipulate data, and display information in custom formats from many sources. COMP 2252 is an elective in Applied Computer Applications (ACA); Applied Computer Information Systems (ACIS); Applied Database Administration and Design (ADAD) Associate Certificates, as well as the Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC) and the Computer Systems Technology (CST FLEX) Diploma. Please note: This course will be offered in the January (Winter) or September (Fall) terms. By the end of this course, successful students will be able to use Crystal Reports to display and analyze data visually for BI and to make actionable decisions.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 2010 or 60% in COMP 2364

​This hands-on course is designed for database professionals, data analysts, business analysts and managers, who want to analyze and visualize data from a variety of sources. Students begin with a foundation in data visualization techniques and principles. Effective data analysis techniques, and industry standard best practices are discussed. Through hands-on labs, assignments, projects and group work, participants learn how to build insightful and interactive dashboards. Participants learn to present compelling visuals via lab exercises and assignments. Tableau dashboard performance considerations are discussed. Students registered in COMP 2256 will receive a student license for Tableau software for their home machines for the duration of the course and have access to a Tableau subject matter expert with industry experience. This course is an elective in five School of Computing and Academic Studies credential programs; Computer Systems Technology Diploma (CST/PTS), Applied Computer Information Systems (ACIS), Applied Computer Applications (ACA), Applied Database Administration and Design (ADAD) and Technical Writing. COMP 2256 is a requirement for the Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC). A project presentation is required and designed to help the students become better communicators. By the end of this course successful participants will be able to produce highly interactive graphs, reports and dashboards that access and visualize data from a multiple sources. We recommend that students working toward a Computing credential complete COMP 1630 first.
Prerequisite(s):

• COMP 1002

​​This instructor lead, hands-on course continues on from COMP 2010. Students must have prior knowledge and skills at using the basic and intermediate features of MS Word before starting this Advanced MS Word course. Participants start at an intermediate level and progress to expert in just 6 lessons while practicing how to manage a variety of documents. COMP 2361 focuses on the best practices, time saving techniques and how to use MS Word to create professional documents. Lectures, lab exercises in class and assignments outside of class are used for an applied learning experience. Advanced topics include: automating a table of contents; building an index; tracking changes; mail merging; developing templates and forms; automating tasks with building blocks and macros. COMP 2361 is an elective in Applied Computer Information Systems (ACIS) Associate Certificate. By the end of this course, successful students will be expert end users of MS Word. COMP 2361 will only be offered in the September (fall) term.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 2010

​​This instructor lead, hands-on course continues on from COMP 2010. Students must have prior knowledge and skills at using the basic and intermediate features of MS Excel before starting this Advanced MS Excel course. Participants start at an intermediate level and progress to expert in just 6 lessons while practicing how to create and manage a variety of meaningful spreadsheets. COMP 2362 focuses on the best practices, time saving techniques and how to use MS Excel to create to analyze, communicate and manage information. Lectures, lab exercises in class and assignments outside of class are used for an applied learning experience. Advanced topics include: consolidating data in multiple worksheets templates, dealing with error messages, solver and basic macros. Students who have not completed COMP 2010 should know subtotalling, pivot tables and pivot charts. Participants progress from intermediate to expert in just 6 weeks. This course is an elective in the Applied Computer Information Systems (ACIS) Associate Certificate from BCIT Computing. By the end of this course, successful participants will be expert end users of MS Excel. This course is offered once a year in the Spring (April) term.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 2010

​Following on from COMP 2156 , and parallel to COMP 3157, this hands-on advanced course was designed for Business Intelligence and Data Analysts. Students who already know how to use Power BI to build and publish reports begin with an in-depth introduction to Star Schema and its relevance to optimal Power BI data modeling. COMP 3156 in-class labs and exercises focus on specific strategies to optimize large complex Power BI data models and how to leverage Power BI Service in the cloud for fast performing reports. Topics include relational data modeling in Power BI, Designing Import, DirectQuery, and Composite Data Models. There is also an in-depth explanation of Power BI Service Performance Monitoring. Tabular Editor and DAX Studio are also discussed. Labs and assignments include managing security permissions, data visibility based on role as and leveraging specialized third-party tools. Tabular Editor and DAX Studio are used to monitor and evaluate data model performance. Participants must provide their own current model PC capable of running Windows 10 and MS Excel, with an i5 or higher equivalent processor, 8 GB minimum RAM, and 256 GB minimum storage. High-speed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. COMP 3156 is an elective in several BCIT Computing credentials including the CST Diploma (FLEX), and the Applied Data Analytics Certificate (ADAC). By the end of this course, successful students will be able to build advanced, optimized data models and use the Power BI Service cloud environment.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 2156

​Following on from COMP 1630, students who already understand data modeling, relational database design and SQL are provided with an in-depth understanding of designing and implementing MS SQL 2016 Server databases advanced T-SQL and scripting methods. There is an overview of BI tools (MS SQL Server Reporting Services, MS SQL Server Integration Services) and comparisons between different editions of MS SQL Server. Topics include: architecture, new SQL 2016 components, T-SQL review, new T-SQL constructs for SQL Server 2016, programmable objects, security for the database developer and performance tuning procedures. Exercises and labs help students obtain a thorough understanding of Microsoft SQL Server 2016 from a database developer perspective, with a focus on how to create views, stored procedures and triggers. Successful participants will be able use procedural code in TSQL and .NET to develop and manage the data layer for software applications. Please note: COMP 4678 will be offered for the last time in the spring (April) 2023 term.​
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1630

​This hands-on course follows on from COMP 1630. Students who already understand relational database design, SQL programming are introduced to SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS. Students must provide their own current model Windows capable PC, i5 or higher equivalent processor, 8 GB of RAM minimum, and 256 GB minimum storage. High-speed internet access is needed for online sections and for homework. Please note: BCIT does not provide technical support for student's hardware or operating systems. COMP 4679 topics include how to install, configure and manage SSRS; author reports using SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT), and apply multiple levels of report security. Students receive a brief overview of Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services which provides additional BI concepts. Labs and exercises show how to use SSRS to extract the data from its multiple collections of applications and data sources, how to deliver and manage reports, to integrate SSRS reports. Participants explore business intelligence platforms and apply best practices to author, deploy and manage reports with SSRS. COMP 4679 is an elective in the Applied Database Administration and Design, ADAD Associate Certificate; the Applied Data Analytics Certificate, ADAC and the Computer Systems Technology, CST/PTS Diploma. Participation online via the BCIT Learning Hub and attendance are mandatory during scheduled class hours plus online activities for a minimum of 4 hours per week. Students should also plan for 9+ hours reading and homework each week. Upon successful completion of COMP 4679 students will be able to use SSRS to deploy a Reporting Services database, they will be able to extract data from multiple data sources and integrate traditional and interactive SSRS reports. Please note: COMP 4679 will be offered in the Spring (April) and Fall (September) terms.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1630

This hands-on course follows on from COMP 1630. Students who already understand relational database design, SQL programming and data warehouse foundations are introduced to SSIS. COMP 4681 is a blended BYOD course, participants must provide their own Windows 10 dual core laptop with a minimum of 8GB RAM to participate in this course. Please note: BCIT does not provide technical support for student's hardware or operating systems. Topics include: how to install, configure and manage SSAS; designing multidimensional Business Intelligence Semantic Model (BISM), accessing different data sources, creating multidimensional databases, data mining, interacting with cube data using Multidimensional Expressions (MDX) queries from MS Excel. Labs and exercises show how to use SSAS to design, create and manage multidimensional structures containing data from other sources. Participants are shown how to create and maintain an Analysis Services database. MS Excel and MS SQL Reporting Services are used to present data from SSAS. COMP 4681 is an elective in the Applied Database Administration and Design, ADAD Associate Certificate; the Applied Data Analytics Certificate, ADAC and the Computer Systems Technology, CST/PTS Diploma. Participation online via the BCIT Learning Hub and attendance are mandatory during scheduled class hours plus online activities for a minimum of 4 hours per week. Students should also plan for 9+ hours reading and homework each week. Please note: COMP 4681 will be offered in the winter (January) and fall (September) terms. Upon successful completion of COMP 4681 students will be able to use SSAS to deploy an Analysis Services database with multiple levels of security for data mining, they will be able to extract data from collections of multiple data sources and applications.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in COMP 1630