module specification

This module builds upon the student's general understanding of database systems acquired in the prerequisite module. It discusses the key issues underpining database management systems and their performance, and provides an introduction to some current developments of database technology. In addition, the module contains a substantial practical element utilising database CASE tools (using the Oracle Design suite as an example toolset), enabling students to gain transferable skills in designing and developing relatively complex database sytems.

Assessment is by means of examination (60%) and coursework (40%). An aggregated pass is required to achieve an overall pass of the module.

CC2006N - Data Modelling and Database Systems

The principal graduate attribute forcused on in the module is A2.

The module aims to build upon the student's general understanding of database systems acquired in the prerequisite module. The module enables students to gain in-depth understanding of various key issues pertinent to the management and performance of a modern database system [A2].

The module also introduces current developments in database technology thereby raising students’ awareness and understanding of the future trend in the database area [A2].

A substantial practical element is integrated into the module to enable students to design relatively complex database systems and applications using industry-standard database products (e.g. using Oracle designer as the CASE tool) [A2].

? Extension of relational theory.
? Database transaction: concept, operations, state transition.
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 asccess control.
? Query optimisation: objectives and stages of query optimisation; use of system catelog / metadata.
? Distributed databases: distributed architectures; transparency; replication; fragmentation; distributed query processing.
? Object oriented databases: object oriented modelling; OODBMS schema; comparison of RDBMS, OODBMS and ORDBMS.
? Current developments: e.g, data mining and data warehousing, parallel/grid systems; multimedia databases.
? Industry-standard CASE tool (using Oracle Designer as an example toolset).

Each week will consist of formal lectures followed by tutorials or supervised practical workshops, with a total of 4 hours per week.

The lectures will cover the designated topics, ranging from key aspects of database management and performance to current developments in the subject area.

The tutorial/workshop sessions will provide students an opportunity to gain adequate hands-on experience and practical proficiency of using the chosen database toolset.

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:

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the various key issues which affect database systems and their performance [A2].
Demonstrate an enhanced awareness of some current developments in the database area [A2].
Design and develop a relatively complex database for a given business scenario, with a professional approach to the documentation of the system. [A2].

The module is assessed by an examination (60%) and coursework (40%).

The assessment strategy for the module aims to enable the students to demonstrate their achievement on the stated learning outcomes. Specifically, their knowledge and understanding of the key issues of database management and performance together with an enhanced awareness of the current development in the subject area are assessed by an unseen examination. The students’ practical proficiency and problem-solving skills on the design of database systems are assessed by an individual coursework.

To achieve an overall pass of the module, students are required to gain an aggregated pass of the examination and coursework.

Main References:

Connolly, T. & Begg, C. Database Systems - A Practical Approach to design, Implementation, and Management (4th ed.), Addison Wesley, 2005.

Elmasri, R. & Navathe, S. Fundamentals of Database Systems (5th ed.) Addison Wesley, 2007.

Date, C. J. An Introduction to Database Systems (8th ed.), Addison­Wesley, 2004.

Ramakrishnan, R. & Gehrke, J. Database Management Systems (3rd ed.), McGraw-Hill, 2003.

Workshop booklet.


Other References:

Rob, P., Coronel, C. & Crockett, K. Database Systems, Course Technology, 2008.

Lewis, P.M., Bernstein, A. & Kifer, M. Databases and Transaction Processing: An Application-Oriented Approach, Addison-Wesley, 2002.

Roiger, R & Geatz, M. Data Mining - A tutorial Based Primer, Addison-Wesley, 2003.

Ozsu, M.T. & Valduriez, P. Principles of Distributed Database Systems (2nd ed.), Prentice Hall, 1999.

Prigmore, M. An Introduction to Databases with Web Applications. Prentice Hall, 2008.