Database Utilization for the Honors Program

Presenter Information

Ryan Colakovic, Minnesota State University Mankato

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

16-4-2013 10:00 AM

End Date

16-4-2013 12:00 PM

Student's Major

Computer Information Science

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Cyrus Azarbod

Mentor's Department

Computer Information Science

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

Databases can be used in analyzing academic programs and monitoring progress of students. The Honors Program at Minnesota State University is a 23-credit program aimed at developing undergraduate abilities in leadership, research, and global citizenship. A database for the Honors Program is a useful resource. In the fall of 2012, while enrolled in the Honors seminar class HONR 401: Data Modeling and Mining, there was an optional project to create a database. The database created was for the Honors program since the database had to still be useful after the class. While it contains accurate information concerning the students in the Honors Program, it does not contain as much information as it could due to a small sample size of Honors students and more confidential information being withheld, such as GPA and ethnicity. While the database is in progress, it is a useful resource to help improve the program in the future. Additional characteristics for the database are ethnicity, first-generation, date of birth which can be used to calculate age, GPA, and total credits completed. Eventually with this database, Honors students can be tracked to evaluate how effective the program was for them. This database will be an effective tool for assessing the Honors Program.