The module aims to develop a critical awareness the various factors involved in the management of database environments.
The module will include the following topics:
- Database administration and data management
- Database architecture and its effect on database administration
- Data definition and manipulation using SQL
- Data dictionaries and their use to a DBA
- Log and diagnostic files
- Database transactions and performance tuning
- Data recovery
- Storage structures and table management
- Distributed databases and their management
- Decision support systems, OLAP data mining and date warehouses
- Object-oriented and object-relational databases
- Database connectivity and web databases
- Emerging database technologies

100% in-course assessment

Assignment weighted at 70%. (Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3). In course assessment, 3000 words written proposal for the administration of a given database environment case study.
A portfolio weighted at 30% (learning outcomes 1 to 4). A variety of tasks will be undertaken which can be built up into an on-line portfolio.

Directed learning supported by one-to-one contact with academics to encourage the students' knowledge, critical thinking and their application of the knowledge being learned. On-line materials will highlight topical issues and best practice case studies. Course content and exercises will be presented on Blackboard. Delivery content will be supported by the use of on-line educational video clips and case study scenarios. Formative feedback, by e-mail, will be given in response to regular exercises.

The practical nature of the module is emphasised by the provision of practical portfolio tasks and an assignment which reflect all the elements of the module.

Rob, P., Coronel, C. and Crockett, K. Database Systems. Design Implementation and Management, Course Technology Cengage Learning, 2008, ISBN: 978-1-84480-732-1
Connolly, T. and Begg, C., Database Systems. A practical Approach to Design, Implementation and Management (fifth edition), Addison Wesley, 2010, ISBN: 978-0-321-52306-8
Mullins Craig S., 2002, Database Administration: The Complete Guide to Practices and Procedures, ISBN-13: 978-0-201-74129-2, Addison-Wesley Professional. (available as an e-book)

Library resources
Module website via Blackboard VLE
Access to Internet
Various DBMS environments such as Microsoft Access and MySQL
Windows Virtual PC

None.