All organisations rely upon their information systems which in turn depend upon the underpinning database management system. This module introduces database technology, establishing the concepts of relational databases and the importance of SQL. The module will provide students with an appreciation of the role of database systems in information management, and the theoretical and practical issues that influence the design and implementation of database management systems and languages.
Database technology fundamentals:
- Database concepts, Database theory
- Data modelling, Process modelling
- Components of a DBMS
- Concurrency/Optimisation
- Web database technologies
Data Manipulation:
- Query languages, Fundamentals of SQL
- Creating a relational database
- Selection, aggregation, grouping , etc, Insert, Delete, Update, etc.,
- Joins, Sub-queries, views, etc
- Functions, constraints, sequences, etc
Database creation:
- Applying the physical design, Constructing and managing tables
- Creating views and sequences, Referential integrity
Managing Tables:
- Data dictionary, Constraints, Indexes
Implementing development techniques:
- Program constructs in PLSQL
- Declaring variables, Executable statements, Control structures
Database objects and techniques:
- Composite data types, Cursor control: Explicit Cursors, Implicate cursors, Parameter usage
Triggers

The 12 hours contact time will be used for two main purposes. At the beginning it will be used to establish a broad overview of the module, give a detailed explanation of the modules assessments, and put in place the mechanisms to be used for gaining formative feedback, and for how to raise queries. The second usage of contact time will be related to education delivery itself. The time will mainly be divided between teaching main topics, key aspects and concepts, spending time reviewing student assignment progress in order that each student gets formative feedback, and provide the opportunity to get support with practical sessions in a face-to-face format.
The independent study hours will involve the student using the provided on-line material on Blackboard VLE. Such material will include lecture notes, practical exercises, weekly tasks, investigative case studies, problem based tasks, and self assessment questions to attempt.
Students will also be actively encouraged to discuss relevant aspects within discussion forums that are part of the VLE on a weekly basis. The forums will allow discussion with a student's peer group as well as the module tutor.

Material on Blackboard
Oracle
Staffordshire University has subscriptions to electronic book services such as Safari Tech Books, Ebrary and Netlibrary. There are titles in each of the collections that will support students studying Database Technology. Staffordshire University has subscriptions to IEEExplore, ACM Digital Library, Elsevier Science Direct and Infotrac Computer Database all offering full text electronic access to journals and conference proceedings.

None

Oracle Database 10g SQL (Osborne ORACLE Press Series) Jason Price, McGraw-Hill, 2004, ISBN-10: 0072229810
Connolly, T.M., Begg, C.E. Database Systems: A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation and Management, 4th Edition, Addison Wesley (2005) ISBN: 0321210255

An ASSIGMT length 1000 WORDS weighted at 30%. A COURSEWORK weighted at 70%.

Research based element Assignment (1000 words) 30% assessing Learning outcome 1
Practical implementation element Coursework 70% assessing Learning outcome 2