module specification

This module provides an appreciation of database and web-based information systems. It covers technical aspects of analysing, designing and implementing database and web-based information systems. Both server-side programming language (e.g. ASP.NET) and back-end database programming language (e.g. Oracle SQL) skills are taught.

The module will enable students to:-
• Provide students with an understanding of the concepts and fundamentals of database and web-based information systems.
• Equip students with knowledge and skills for analysing, designing and implementing database systems.
• Develop students with knowledge and skills to develop database-driven web-based information systems
 

Successful completion of Level 4 or equivalent

Concepts and fundamentals of database and web-based information systems LO1,LO6

Database analysis and design techniques: fact finding, entity relationship modelling, and normalisation      LO1, LO2,LO4
Data definition, manipulation, and control with SQL: creation, insertion, deletion, update, querying, and views LO1,LO3
Database Administration: the database team, privacy, backup and recovery, monitoring, applications support, operating support, testing databases LO1, LO6
Data Warehousing and data mining in business applications LO1,LO6
Web-based information system development LO1,LO5
Server-side programming language (e.g. ASP.NET): web forms, web objects, database connectivity LO1, LO5
Building and deploying web database applications as an information system LO1, LO5, LO6
Business related issues in the context of database and web-based information systems LO1, LO6

Topics will be introduced through a combination of formal lectures, tutorials, supervised workshop sessions, and blended learning as follows:
- Lecture (1 hour / week):
Introduce the designated topics in the syllabus, ranging from key aspects of database management and development to current database technologies.
- Tutorial/ Workshop (2 hour / week):
Tutorial sessions aim to consolidate the understanding of topics covered in the lectures including class and group discussions in the tutorial sessions.
Database and web-based information system design and development skills will be further developed through lab-based workshops. Specific practical exercises are set to support students' development of skills in essential database design and web applications development.
- Blended learning
Lecture notes and other support learning material will be available on the university VLE network (e.g. WebLearn)
-Reflective learning:
Students will be expected and encouraged to produce reflective commentaries and an action plan for personal development on the learning activities and tasks that they carry out to complete their work, e.g. in the form of an assessed section of their coursework report.
In addition, students are strongly advised to read widely of relevant materials from books, journals and the internet in order to acquire a better understanding of the subject.

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:-

LO1. appreciate the context, role and architecture of database and web-based information systems
LO2.produce an Entity Relationship model from an example problem specification
LO3.manipulate and extract data stored in a database using SQL
LO4.design and implement a database system from a conceptual data model
LO5.develop a dynamic website that interacts with a database using ASP.NET
LO6.appreciate business related issues in the context of database and web-based information systems

The assessment strategy for the module aims to enable the students to demonstrate their achievement on the stated learning outcomes. The module will be assessed by a piece of coursework (60%) and a 2-hour unseen examination (40%).
• The coursework is designed mainly to assess the practical aspects of the module. It is divided into two parts: database design (LO3, LO4) and web-based information system development (LO5). It requires the student to analyse, design and implement a database-driven web-based information system for a specified business problem. It will provide students with the opportunity to undertake research on current issues and practical techniques in database and web-based information systems. It will also enable students to apply their knowledge to a practical business problem, demonstrating their skills for problem-solving and critical thinking/evaluation (LO6).
• The unseen examination will provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of database and web-based information systems concepts and techniques (LO1,LO6) and their ability to apply these techniques appropriately to the solution of given problems/scenarios (LO2, LO3).The examination will test the students' retention, understanding and insight of material drawn from the module.

Arrangements for formative and summative feedback:

• Formative feedback to the students is provided on an on-going basis both through informal tutorial/workshop discussions and on a one-to-one basis, covering major topics of study and students’ progress on the module.

• Summative feedback will be available following the exam and the coursework.

Successful completion of Level 4 or equivalent