Module 06-21980 (2016)

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.

• Introduce the fundamentals of database theory
• Introduce the core of the SQL query language
• Enable students to design a database

1. Use SQL to create, modify and query databases
2. Analyse a real-world scenario and perform a conceptual database design for it
3. Take a conceptual data design model and translate it into the relational model
4. Use an existing database system

None

2 hrs lectures/tutorials per week (plus 22 hours of assisted labs)

Contact Hours: 24

Sessional: 1.5hr examination (80%), continuous assessment (20%)

Supplementary (where allowed): 1.5 hour examination (100%)

1. Tables and SQL: using the existing relational database implementation, simple select queries, nested queries, aggregate functions, grouping, table creation and modification, etc.
2. Conceptual database design: entities and relationships, generalisation hierarchies, keys and weak entities, ER diagrams.
3. Logical database design and relational theory: translating ER diagrams into tables, relational algebra, functional dependencies, normalisation, de-normalisation.
4. Discrete-mathematical underpinning of database relations, relationships and relational algebra.