SYLLABUS PAGE, 2009/10
06-21980
ICY: Databases
Level 1/C
|
Prof. J A Barnden |
10 credits in Sem2 |
Programmes | Modules | Links | Outline | Aims | Outcomes | Prerequisites | Teaching | Assessment | Books | Detailed Syllabus
The School of Computer Science Module Description is a strict subset of this Syllabus Page. (The University module description has not yet been checked against the School's.)
Relevant Links
Essential Additional Information
Outline
| The module will explore some of the fundamentals of databases. Topics will include: 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.
- Introduce the core of the SQL query language.
- Enable students to design a database.
Learning Outcomes
| On successful completion of this module, the student should be able to: | Assessed by: | |
| 1 | Use SQL to create, modify and query databases. | Examination, Continuous assessment |
| 2 | Analyse a real-world scenario and perform a conceptual database design for it. | Examination, Continuous assessment |
| 3 | Take a conceptual data design model and translate it into the relational model. | Examination, Continuous assessment |
| 4 | Use an existing database system. | Continuous assessment |
Restrictions, Prerequisites and Corequisites
Restrictions:
| None |
Prerequisites:
| None |
Co-requisites:
| None |
Teaching
Teaching methods:
| 2 hrs lectures/tutorials per week (plus 22 hours of assisted labs) |
Contact hours:
| 24 |
Assessment
Normal (sessional): 1.5hr examination (80%), continuous assessment (20%)
Resit (supplementary) assessment (where allowed): 1.5 hour examination (100%)
Recommended Books
| Title | Author(s) | Publisher, Date | Comments |
| Database Systems: Design, Implementation and Management (International ed.) | P. Rob, C. Coronel & K. Crockett | Cengage Learning, 2008 | Main textbook. Earlier editions are also usable (see Essential Additional Information page via Relevant Links above). |
Detailed Syllabus
- Tables and SQL: using the existing relational database implementation, simple select queries, nested queries, aggregate functions, grouping, table creation and modification, etc.
- Conceptual database design: entities and relationships, generalisation hierarchies, keys and weak entities, ER diagrams.
- Logical database design and relational theory: translating ER diagrams into tables, relational algebra, functional dependencies, normalisation, de-normalisation.
- Discrete-mathematical underpinning of database relations, relationships and relational algebra.
Programmes | Modules | Links | Outline | Aims | Outcomes | Prerequisites | Teaching | Assessment | Books | Detailed Syllabus