Abstract: Traditionally, the typical undergraduate database course uses a form of Entity-Relationship (ER) notation when teaching conceptual modeling. While we have seen an increase in the academic coverage of UML in the database course, it is very rare to see UML as the primary modeling notation when teaching conceptual data modeling. However, outside of academe, there has been advocacy for the use of UML as an effective modeling tool for database design and for it to provide a unifying modeling framework. This paper examines the level of support for using UML vs. established ER notations for teaching conceptual data modeling in the introductory undergraduate database course. An analysis of textbook and tool support as well as a survey of what IS undergraduate programs are using in their introductory undergraduate database courses is included.

Keywords: Conceptual data modeling, Entity-relationship, UML, Database education

Download this article: JISE - Volume 17 Number 1, Page 93.pdf

Recommended Citation: Suleiman, J. & Garfield, M. J. (2006). Conceptual Data Modeling in the Introductory Database Course: Is it Time for UML? Journal of Information Systems Education, 17(1), 93-99.