module specification

This module builds upon the student's general understanding of database design and implementation in prior learning. It discusses the key issues underpining database management systems and their development, provides a strong coverage to advanced SQL for preparation for professional certification, and introduces some current topics indatabase technology. In addition, the module contains a substantial practical element utilising advanced SQL and database application development tools (e.g.Oracle SQL developer, Oracle.NET developer), enabling students to gain transferable skills in designing and developing relatively complex ‘real life’ database applications. (Course work, test and exam).

Successful completion of level 5 or equivalent

The module aims to build upon the student's general understanding of database systems acquired in prior learning. It enables students to gain in-depth understanding of various key issues pertinent to the management and development of modern database applications.

The module also enables students to acquire skills in advanced SQL which provides an opportunity for gaining professional certification.

In addition, the module introduces current developments in database technology thereby raising students’ awareness and understanding of the future trend in database systems development.

A substantial practical element is integrated into the module to enable students to design and develop relatively complex business database systems and applications using industry-standard database products (e.g.Oracle SQL developer, Oracle.NET developer).

• Database architectures, key issues in database systems and their management.
• Database concurrency: problems; locking mechanism; deadlock prevention and detection.
• Database recovery: techniques for different types of recovery.
• Database security: identification and authentication; discretionary access control and mandatory access control.
• Database query optimisation: objectives and stages of query optimisation; use of metadata.
• Distributed databases: distributed architectures; transparency; replication; fragmentation; distributed query processing.
• Types of database models and their comparison (e.g. object oriented databases, spatial databases)
• Data warehousing
• Advanced coverage of SQL  related to SQL certification, including:

• Single-Row Functions; Aggregating Data using Group Functions; Advanced Subqueries; Manipulating Data (DML statements, merging rows, control transactions)
• Creating and maintaining constraints; Creating and maintaining other database objects including sequences, indexes and synonyms
• Database development environment and tools: Oracle SQL developer; PL/SQL including triggers, and trigger types; Oracle.NET developer

• Designing, building and developing substantial database applications
• Current developments in database technologies (e.g, data mining, cloud computing)

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.
Workshop sessions facilitate students to gain adequate hands-on experience and practical proficiency of using the chosen database development environment and tools.
- Blended learning:
Lecture notes and other support learning material will be available on the university VLE network (e.gWebLearn, Blackboard)
-Reflective learning:
Undertaken during the course of students’ study of the module (for example, the coursework will include student reflection of their experience in using the design and development tools)

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 the student should be able to:

[LO1]  Demonstrate a clear understanding of the various key issues which affect database systems and their management.
[LO2]  Gain a considerable exposure to the practical issues, as well as their theoretical underpinning, pertinent to the development of modern database applications, including database development environment and tools (e.gOracleSQL developer, Oracle.NET developer).
[LO3]  Demonstrate a sufficient level of knowledge and proficiency in advanced SQL which provides an opportunity to prepare for the first stage of Oracle professional certification.
[LO4]  Demonstrate an enhanced awareness of some current developments in database technologies.
[LO5]  Design and develop substantial ‘real life’  database applications for a given business scenario, with a professional approach to the system documentation.

The module will be assessed by a practical piece of coursework (40%) , a 1-hour unseen class test (20%), and a 2-hour unseen examination (40%).

To achieve an overall pass of the module, students are required to gain an aggregated pass of the three assessment components.

The assessment strategy for the module aims to enable the students to demonstrate their achievement on the stated learning outcomes:

• The students’ knowledge and understanding of the key issues of database management and developments are assessed by an unseen Examination [LO1, LO2, LO4].
• The students’ practical problem-solving skills and critical thinking/evaluation on the design and development of database systems (using SQL and database development tools) are assessed by an individual Coursework based on a given business scenario [LO2, LO5] .
• The Class Test enables the students to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in advanced SQL relevant to professional certification [LO3].

Books:
• Connolly, T. &Begg, C. Database Systems– A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation, and Management (5th ed.), Addison Wesley, 2010.
• Elmasri, R. &Navathe, S. Fundamentals of Database Systems (6th ed.) Addison Wesley, 2010.
• Date, C. J. An Introduction to Database Systems (8th ed.), Addison­Wesley, 2004.
• Zehoo, E., Pro ODP.NET for Oracle Database 11g, 1st ed. Apress, 2010.
• Bulusu, L. Oracle Embedded Programming and Application Development, 1st ed. CRC Press, 2010.

Web resources:
• SQL Quick Reference - http://www.w3schools.com/sql/sql_quickref.asp
• Oracle Library-  http://www.oracle.com/pls/db111/homepage