Module Descriptors
INTRODUCTION TO DATABASES
COIS40544
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 4
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Euan Wilson
Email: E.D.Wilson@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 4
Independent Study Hours: 146
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- COURSEWORK weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Only available for students on FCET Negotiated Undergraduate Awards
Module Resources
Oracle SQLplus, Microsoft SQLserver, Oracle Apex or similar database environment
Module Learning Strategies
This module is intended for work based learners, and the delivery approach will come from the planned integration of work-based skills and academic learning through work-based activities. Where possible the learning will take place in the workplace, using a combination of work activities, supported by private study, and using underpinning academic input provided by the University.
Where agreed, the University will deliver materials via VLE (e.g. Blackboard), Virtual classroom (e.g. DimDim), telephone conferencing and other appropriate technologies. There will be no specific requirement for students to attend the University whilst studying this module, but where appropriate, arrangements may be made for face to face meetings, or classroom based delivery.
Where agreed, the University will deliver materials via VLE (e.g. Blackboard), Virtual classroom (e.g. DimDim), telephone conferencing and other appropriate technologies. There will be no specific requirement for students to attend the University whilst studying this module, but where appropriate, arrangements may be made for face to face meetings, or classroom based delivery.
Module Indicative Content
This module focuses on data analysis rather than systems or business analysis.
The module comprises three sections:
a) Data modelling using
i) Entity Relationship Modelling
ii) Normalisation
These techniques will be developed with respect to typical software development lifecycle and methodology such as SSADM 4+ or Rapid Application Development (RAD)
Within this section there will be an emphasis of ensuring and maintaining data quality.
b) Utilising a database to query data in a database that has been developed using skills shown in a)
Within this section there will be an emphasis on performance, tuning, use of key constraints (and also when not to use them), indexes, nulls etc.
c) Typical components of a Database Management System
This will be an introduction to backup and recovery, concurrency and integrity issues, security, etc.
The module comprises three sections:
a) Data modelling using
i) Entity Relationship Modelling
ii) Normalisation
These techniques will be developed with respect to typical software development lifecycle and methodology such as SSADM 4+ or Rapid Application Development (RAD)
Within this section there will be an emphasis of ensuring and maintaining data quality.
b) Utilising a database to query data in a database that has been developed using skills shown in a)
Within this section there will be an emphasis on performance, tuning, use of key constraints (and also when not to use them), indexes, nulls etc.
c) Typical components of a Database Management System
This will be an introduction to backup and recovery, concurrency and integrity issues, security, etc.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Recommended word count is 3000
Students will be asked to complete a work based project which has been approved by both the employer and the University. The student will receive support from both an academic supervisor and a work based mentor.
Students will be asked to complete a work based project which has been approved by both the employer and the University. The student will receive support from both an academic supervisor and a work based mentor.
Module Texts
An Introduction to Database with Web Applications, Martyn Prigmore, Prentice Hall, 2008, ISBN: 978-0-321-26359-9