Module 13584 (2001)
Syllabus page 2001/2002
06-13584
Fundamentals of Databases
Level M1
Links | Outline | Aims | Outcomes | Prerequisites | Teaching | Assessment | Books | Detailed Syllabus
The Module Description is a strict subset of this Syllabus Page. (The University module description has not yet been checked against the School's.)
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Outline
The fundamentals of Database Systems will be covered: relational theory, relational algebra, query languages, data design. The necessary mathematical background will be developed alongside its application in databases. Students will be introduced to an existing database system.
Aims
The aims of this module are to:
- introduce the fundamentals of database theory
- enable students to design and implement a database
- introduce the mathematics underlying database theory
Learning Outcomes
| On successful completion of this module, the student should be able to: | Assessed by: | |
| 1 | apply appropriate mathematical concepts (such as relational algebra) to database systems | Problem assignments, examination |
| 2 | demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals of database theory | Problem assignments, examination |
| 3 | analyse a scenario and perform data design | Examination, miniproject |
| 4 | use an existing database system | Miniproject (which consists of the creation of a database together with appropriate documentation) |
Restrictions, Prerequisites and Corequisites
Restrictions:
None
Prerequisites:
None
Co-requisites:
Teaching
Teaching Methods:
11 two-hour lectures, 11 one-hour practical session, two one-hour revision lectures
Contact Hours:
Assessment
- Supplementary (where allowed): As the sessional assessment
- 2 hr examination (80%), weekly problem assignments (10%), miniproject (assessed by implementation and written report) (10%).
Recommended Books
| Title | Author(s) | Publisher, Date |
| Database Management Systems (2nd edition) | R. Ramakrishnan & J. Gehrke | McGraw Hill, 2000 |
Detailed Syllabus
-
Introduction
- The need for database management systems
- Using the existing relational database implementation
- Structured Query Language (SQL)
- Simple select queries
- Nested queries
- Aggregate functions
- Managing a database through SQL
- Theory of relational databases
- Sets and relations
- Relational algebra
- Relational calculus
- Expressivity
- Database design
- Keys
- Functional dependencies
- Normalisation
- Entity-relationship diagrams
- Semi-structured data (if time permits)
Last updated: 29 July 2001
Source file: /internal/modules/COMSCI/2001/xml/13584.xml
Links | Outline | Aims | Outcomes | Prerequisites | Teaching | Assessment | Books | Detailed Syllabus