BITM 330: Improving Business Performance with Information Technologies

1. General Information

1.1 Lectures

Section 1002 meets in Lecture Center 1 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30–2:40 PM. Section 4750 meets in Lecture Center 1 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00–4:20 PM. Section 9874 is fully online, unless otherwise instructed.

Attendance is about more than showing up. Your participation grade reflects participation and engagement in addition to attendance. Students are encouraged to engage in ways that support their learning, including asking questions, responding to questions, participating in activities, and using the online chat when applicable.

Some classes will be held online, especially sessions focused on hands-on practice. You will receive an announcement ahead of time, and online sessions are also marked in the Course Schedule.

If a class is online, the same participation and engagement rules apply. Log in from a computer when possible. Cameras are encouraged because they can support interaction, but you may also participate through discussion, audio, chat, and course activities.

1.2 Lab Sections

Labs meet weekly, starting Week 3, in Lecture Center 13. Labs are due Mondays by 11:59 PM unless the lab instructions say otherwise. Register for one section:

2. Instructor Information

Dr. Nim Dvir

• University Profile: albany.edu/business/faculty/nim-dvir
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nimdvir
• Additional Resources: linktr.ee/Nimdvir
• Office: BB397
• Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:00–1:00 PM

2.1 Teaching Assistants

• Naomi H. Campbell: nhcampbell@albany.edu
• Asfaria Akter: aakter@albany.edu

For routine lab questions, start with the teaching assistants; they can usually provide the fastest help with instructions, files, submissions, grading questions, and troubleshooting. If they cannot resolve an issue, I will help.

3. Instructor Communication and Student Support

3.1 Fastest Ways to Get Help

• Before or after class: Best for quick course questions and clarification.
• Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00–1:00 PM, in BB 397 or online using the BITM 330 Zoom room. No appointment is required.
• If you cannot attend office hours: Email me and we will arrange another time when reasonably possible.

3.2 Email

You may email me about course content, grading, feedback, accommodations, personal circumstances affecting your work, or any question you are not comfortable raising publicly.

• Email: ndvir@albany.edu
• Subject line: Begin with BITM330 and include a short description of the issue.
• Response time: I will respond within two business days, and often sooner. Weekends and University holidays are not business days.
• Urgent or private matters: Put BITM330 URGENT in the subject line and briefly explain the issue. If the matter is sensitive, you do not need to include private details in the subject line.

3.3 Lab Questions

For routine lab questions, start with the teaching assistants; they will usually get you the fastest answer because they work directly with the lab instructions, submissions, and technical issues.

• Naomi H. Campbell: nhcampbell@albany.edu
• Asfaria Akter: aakter@albany.edu

If a TA cannot resolve the issue, if the question concerns a final grading decision, or if the matter is private, you may contact me directly.

3.4 Attendance Questions

Use the Brightspace attendance form for routine attendance reporting. For unusual, private, or unresolved attendance concerns, you may email me or discuss the issue during office hours.

4. Course Description

This course explores database design and development in depth, covering theory, modeling, normalization, management, and administration. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the role databases play within organizations and learn to build effective database solutions for real business challenges.

The course includes a significant hands-on component. Expect to use computers extensively for in-class activities, homework, and projects. Microsoft Access and Structured Query Language (SQL) are the primary tools used to design and develop business applications.

5. Course Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Understand the Role of Databases — Explain why database management matters in organizational contexts.
2. Analyze Database Systems — Critically evaluate database-driven information systems in business environments.
3. Use Professional Tools — Demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Access and SQL for database development.
4. Build Practical Applications — Design and implement database solutions tailored to business needs.
5. Understand Professional Roles — Articulate the responsibilities of database designers and administrators in organizational success.

6. Course Materials and Technology

6.1 Required Textbook

• Dvir, N. (2026). Using Data to Drive Business Performance: Databases and Management Information Systems (First edition). Dima Publishing.
• ISBN: 979-8-9955692-0-6
• Platform: database-textbook.dimapublishing.com

This is an integrated digital textbook and courseware platform written specifically for this course. For Fall 2026, the courseware is provided to students at no charge. Use your UAlbany email address when registering or signing in.

6.2 Software

Microsoft Excel and Access 2019 or later

• Available on campus computers or through your UAlbany account.
• Practical exercises require a Windows computer. If you do not own one, use university computers with Microsoft Access installed.
• Always back up your work to cloud storage or another reliable location.

7. Grading

7.1 Deliverable Weights

7.2 Participation, Presence, and Engagement

Participation is worth 10% of your final grade. Attendance is important, but participation is broader than simply being present. It includes preparation, engagement with course activities, asking questions, responding to questions, contributing to discussions, and seeking clarification when something is unclear.

Students may miss up to three class meetings without penalty. These absences are built into the course attendance policy to accommodate illness, appointments, personal obligations, and other unforeseen circumstances.

I also recognize that students participate in different ways, particularly in a large course. Meaningful participation may include:

• contributing verbally during class;
• asking or answering questions;
• participating through the Zoom chat during online lectures;
• contributing to in-class activities and discussions;
• asking course-related questions before or after class or during office hours; and
• other forms of active engagement with the course and its learning activities.

The goal is an environment in which students feel comfortable asking questions, testing ideas, making mistakes, and learning from them. Questions and respectful disagreement are always welcome.

7.3 Applied Lab Grading and Submission Policy

For routine lab questions, start with the teaching assistants; they will usually get you the fastest answer. If they cannot resolve the issue, I will help. You may also contact me directly about a final grading decision or a private matter.

7.4 Assessment Policies

All submissions must go through Brightspace or another method explicitly specified in the assignment instructions. Email submissions are not accepted.

7.5 Exact Assignment Due Dates

All deliverables listed below are due by 11:59 PM (end of day) on the stated date.

7.6 Grade Scale

8. Course Schedule

9. University Standards and Policies

9.1 Attendance

If you must miss class, use the Brightspace attendance tools and report the Class # from the schedule above. For valid absences such as illness, family emergency, or religious observance, complete the attendance form in Brightspace.

9.2 Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a fundamental expectation. All submitted work must be your own. Collaborative learning is encouraged for discussion and understanding, but sharing answers or copying work on graded components is prohibited.

Violations include:

• Communicating with others during quizzes or exams
• Copying another student's work or letting others copy yours
• Submitting content from online sources as your own
• Using unauthorized assistance on any graded component

Violations will be reported according to university policy. See UAlbany Academic Integrity.

9.3 Use of Artificial Intelligence in This Course

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how organizations analyze information, solve problems, and communicate. As future business professionals, you should understand AI's capabilities and limitations and learn to use it effectively and ethically. Because AI serves different purposes across business disciplines and learning objectives, expectations for AI use vary by course. The policy below is designed to support the specific learning objectives of BITM 330.

9.3.1 Allowed AI Use

• Explaining course concepts in another way or generating practice questions for studying.
• Brainstorming ideas, examples, or approaches before you begin your own work.
• Debugging or explaining errors in SQL, formulas, or code when the assessment instructions permit outside assistance.
• Receiving feedback on clarity, organization, or grammar for work that you created.
• Using AI in an assignment that explicitly asks you to use, evaluate, or compare AI tools.

9.3.2 Prohibited AI Use

• Using AI on quizzes, RATs, tests, or exams unless the assessment explicitly states that AI is allowed.
• Submitting AI-generated answers, SQL, database designs, explanations, reports, or project content as your own work when the task is intended to assess your individual skill.
• Using AI to complete a lab or graded task when the instructions prohibit outside assistance.
• Using AI to fabricate citations, sources, data, screenshots, results, or work that you did not actually perform.
• Using AI in a way that prevents you from explaining, reproducing, or defending the work you submit.

9.3.3 Disclosure and Attribution

Whenever AI use is permitted and materially contributes to submitted work, include a short AI Use Note stating:

1. the tool used;
2. what you used it for; and
3. what you changed, checked, or verified yourself.

Example: "AI Use Note: I used ChatGPT to help identify an error in my JOIN condition. I rewrote and tested the final SQL myself and verified the output against the database."

You remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, citations, and quality of everything you submit. Unacknowledged or prohibited AI use may constitute academic misconduct.

9.3.4 AI in Labs, Projects, SQL, and Coding Work

For labs and projects, the assignment instructions will identify whether AI is allowed, limited, or prohibited. When AI is allowed for SQL or coding support, you must still be able to explain the logic of the solution, reproduce the essential steps, and verify that the result works with the assigned data.

9.3.5 Instructor Use of AI

I may use AI tools to support teaching activities such as developing examples, practice materials, draft explanations, accessibility improvements, or preliminary feedback. I remain responsible for the accuracy and appropriateness of course materials and will review AI-assisted content before it is used with students.

9.3.6 AI-Assisted Grading and Feedback

AI or automated tools may be used to assist with preliminary checking, pattern identification, or drafting feedback on some assignments. AI will not make the final grading decision. Rubrics and grading criteria will be provided in advance when applicable. All AI-assisted grading and feedback will be reviewed by me before grades are finalized. Students may request clarification or faculty review of grading decisions.

9.4 University Policies

• Statement on Academic Integrity
• Department Grievance Policy
• Campus Violence Prevention
• Accommodating Disabilities
• Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policies

9.5 Netiquette

Observe courteous and professional communication in all online interactions. No personal attacks, obscene language, harassment, or intolerant expression are permitted.

9.6 Inclusive Excellence

The University at Albany is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environment. Learn more at the Office of Inclusive Excellence.

9.7 Basic Needs

• Supplemental Support: albany.edu/dean-students/supplemental-support-services
• Dean of Students: albany.edu/dean-students

9.8 Disability Accommodations (DAISS)

If you have a documented disability and need accommodations, register with Disability Access and Inclusion Student Services.

• Email: daiss@albany.edu
• Phone: 518-442-5501
• Website: albany.edu/dean-students/disability

10. Undergraduate Certificate in Business Analytics

This course is part of the required sequence for the Undergraduate Certificate in Business Analytics. Students must earn a B or better to qualify. Contact businessanalytics@albany.edu for details.

11. Career Services

The John S. Levato Career Services office offers professional development resources:

1. VMock Resume Critique
2. Big Interview Practice
3. Vault Career Intelligence

• Director Deirdre Sweeney: dsweeney@albany.edu
• Career Services: albany.edu/business/people-network/career-resources

12. Important Note

This syllabus is subject to change. Updates will be announced via Brightspace or in class. Check regularly to stay informed.