Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Introduction to Databases
Module Code	CA218
School	School of Computing
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Martin Crane Semester 2: Martin Crane Autumn: Martin Crane
Module Teacher	Martin Crane
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

To provide students with an introduction to and an overview of database systems including database design, Entity Relationship data modelling, the relational model of data and SQL, as well as an overview of some database products.

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise the various roles of users of databases in the context of the three level architecture model,
2. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of various file access structures,
3. Translate informal problem specifications into a well-formed ER Schema, and to map these to appropriate relational schema,
4. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of common data models and schemas for abstracting the details of data from users of the database,
5. Demonstrate a proficiency in writing Structured Query Language code to query and alter simple databases.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	No Description
Laboratory	12	No Description
Tutorial	12	No Description
Examination	2	End of Year
Examination	1	Lab Exam
Independent learning	26	No Description
On-line learning	24	No Description
Library	24	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Chapter 1. Information Systems.
Chapter 2. Database Overview.

Chapter 3. Storage Structures.
Chapter 4. Entity-Relationship Data Modelling.

Chapter 5. Relational Model of Data.
Chapter 6. SQL.

Chapter 7. Overview of Database Products.
Chapter 8. The System Catalog.

Chapter 9. Views.
Chapter 10. Database Design & Normalisation.

Chapter 11. Web Databases and JDBC.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	25%	Examination Weight	75%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Practical/skills evaluation	SQL Lab Exam	25%	Week 27

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Elmasri and Navathe: 2000, Fundamentals of Database Systems, Third Edition, Pearson Education, 9780201542639
R. Plew and R. Stephens: 2003, SAMS Teach Yourself: Beginning Databases, First Edition, SAMS Publishing, 9780672324925

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

CASE

BSc in Computer Applications (Sft.Eng.)

DME

B.Eng. in Digital Media Engineering