06-02381 Databases 1

Alan Sexton

10 credits in Semester 1

Aims

To develop an understanding of the underlying theory and implementation of database systems.
To develop the skills and knowledge necessary for competent use of SQL and relational algebra.
To give an appreciation of the use and value of databases and database technology.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, the student should be able to:

Query a database using SQL.
Reason about database queries using relational algebra and set theory
Normalise a database schema to BCNF using dependency theory.
Design a database using Entity-Relationship modelling techniques.
Understand the design decisions involved in data design.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Basic knowledge of discrete mathematics (mostly elementary set theory and predicate logic)

Teaching Methods

2 hours per week throughout the semester. Conventional lectures, with much use made of tutorial sheets. Self study exercises are set using DB2, Informix and/or Access.

Very detailed notes on this course are provided, with extensive examples and exercises. The lectures emphasise the key points, explain in detail concepts and algorithms, and go through detailed examples. Solutions to exercises are discussed in lectures and provided in handouts.

Assessment

2-hour unseen exam

Recommended Books

Title	Author(s)	Publisher	Comments
Database Management Systems, 2nd Edition	Raghu Ramakrishnan and Johannes Gehrke	McGraw Hill 2000	ISBN: 0-07-116898-2 Required text.

Detailed Syllabus

Relational Theory
Relations and relational algebra
Functional dependencies
Normalization (1NF, 2NF, 3NF, BCNF).
The SQL language.
Data design
Data centric analysis of applications,
Enterprise, Conceptual and Logical models,
Entity-Relationship Diagrams
Top down and bottom up design and validation.
Implementation technology

Relevant Links

Maintained by: Alan Sexton, School of Computer Science, The University of Birmingham
Last update: 5 September 2000