2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMP1121 Databases

10 creditsClass Size: 165

Module manager: K.McEvoy@leeds.ac.uk
Email: Dr Kevin McEvoy

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module covers the principles of the design and implementation of database management systems, including the theory of relational databases and E-R modeling; and the use of SQL to create and manipulate data in a database.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Identify the main functions of a database management system (DBMS)
- Describe the architecture of a relational database system
- Produce a relational schema from an entity-relationship conceptual model.
- Explain the distinction between procedural and declarative queries and the meaning and significance of relational completeness.
- Express simple queries using relational algebra and relational calculus.
- Determine functional dependencies and use inference rules to generate functional dependencies.
- Use SQL to create, maintain and manipulate data in a relational database.
- Determine what normal form a table is in, and explain the advantages and disadvantages of normalization.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- demonstrate a familiarity with the basic concepts, information, practical competencies and techniques which are standard features of the discipline;
- be able to communicate the results of their work;
- be able to interpret and evaluate the underlying concepts and principles of the discipline;
- demonstrate computational thinking including its relevance to everyday life;
- operate computing equipment effectively, taking into account its logical and physical properties.

Syllabus

- History of, motivation for, and functions of database systems
- The relational data model
- Mapping conceptual schemas to relational schemas
- Foundations of procedural and declarative query languages: relational algebra, relational calculus, relational completeness, connections with other logical formalisms including 1st order logic
- Functional dependencies, Armstrong's axioms and other inference rules
- Normal forms: 1NF, 2NF, 3NF, BCNF and selected higher normal forms
- SQL including data definition, queries, and integrity constraints
- Relational database design including applications of normalization

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Practical	4	1.00	4.00
Private study hours			72.00
Total Contact hours			28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Coursework and labs.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	4 hour assignment	10.00
Problem Sheet	Problem Sheet 1	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

This module is re-assessed by exam only.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

This module is re-assessed by exam only.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/01/2017

Disclaimer

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