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CS2TQ6-Databases for Business

Module Provider: Computer Science
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Level: 5
Terms in which taught: Autumn, Spring and Summer
Module Convenor: Mrs EA Victor
Pre-requisites: SE1SA5 and SE1SB5 or SE1TQ5
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: CS2TD7
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: e.a.victor@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
This module will extend students' understanding of how databases are commonly used in business.
It will ensure that students can provide an expert resource for companies to support the usage of commonly used database software for their applications.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to:

  • Understand and explain the role of the Database Management System
  • Explain relational theory and how it relates to commercial relational databases and SQL
  • Apply relational principles to design and specify a logical data model
  • Implement a database using appropriate tools and understand how to optimise its performance
  • Understand the issues of data integrity and concurrent access to databases

  • Implement database integrity constraints and data manipulation
  • Outline the need for procedural database languages

  • Design and implement database stored procedures and triggers
  • Explain security requirements and recovery from failures
  • Describe the way in which commonly used database software, e.g. Oracle is used commercially
  • Examine the way in which software packages are used to provide computer applications in commercial and industrial situations

    Additional outcomes:
    The module also aims to encourage the development of the following skills:

  • the ability to advise and help users of database software
  • the ability to produce SQL and PL/SQL code
  • a good understanding of data and information.

    Outline content:
    Students will extend their knowledge of commonly used software packages (as studied in year1) to an advanced stage:

  • the students' knowledge of relational databases will be extended beyond those used on PCs to more powerful applications used in mainframe and distributed environments
  • students will acquire a deeper knowledge of aspects of database design and usage as applied in these environments.
    Students will also broaden their knowledge of commonly used packages by studying the front end tools which can be used in conjunction with databases to present information to the user.

    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    This module has both theoretical and practical requirements.
    Students will develop expertise in a variety of ways:
    A weekly lecture session covers the theoretical aspects of databases, illustrated by examples using Oracle; the University is enrolled in the Oracle Academic Initiative. However comparisons are frequently made with other products, and the intention is to make the theoretical work generic rather than product-specific.
    Each lecture is followed by a practical session, which allows the students to work their way through a series of structured tasks, gaining experience of the issues addressed in the lectures. The practical sessions use Oracle software and are necessarily rather narrower in focus than the lectures. These sessions are reinforced by occasional quizzes and tests to check the development of knowledge.
    Students undertake a database project in the first term. This project will be based on a scenario and will require the students to design a database to satisfy a specified set of requirements. In the second term students implement their design, using the Oracle database, stored procedures and triggers.

    Contact hours:

      Autumn Spring Summer
    Lectures 10 10 4
    Tutorials/seminars 10  10  0 
    Practicals      
    Other contact (eg study visits)      
    Total hours 20  20  4 
    Number of essays or assignments 1 (Design)  1 (Implementation)   
    Other (eg major seminar paper)      

    Assessment:
    Coursework
    In the first term, students will carry out a project to design a database solution to satisfy a complex set of requirements based on a given scenario. Full documentation will be required. The design will be presented in report form. The report will carry 15% of the total marks. In the second term, students will be asked to implement their solution using database software of their own choice. At the end of the term, the working system must be demonstrated to the lecturer. The implementation will carry 15% of the total marks.
    Examinations
    Students will sit a 2 hour paper that will constitute 70% of the marks overall. The examination will concentrate on the theoretical aspects of databases.
    Requirements for a pass
    Students will be required to obtain a mark of 40 % overall based on coursework and examination.
    Re-assessment
    Students will be re-examined in August/September.

    Last updated: 23 November 2009

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