1. To provide students with a critical understanding of the design and realisation of relational database systems.

2. To provide students with an in depth understanding of the operation (storage, manipulation, querying) of relational databases. 

3. To provide students with an understanding of alternative database paradigms (parallel, distributed, object-oriented).

4. To provide students with an understanding of the administration and maintenance of database systems.

(LO1) An in depth understanding of the design and implementation of relational database systems.

(LO2) An ability to use database design techniques such as Entity-Relation diagrams and "normal forms".

(LO3) A comprehensive understanding of client-server architectures.

(LO4) A systematic understanding of the operation of database query systems.

(LO5) A critical understanding of database administration issues including security, integrity issues, and backup procedures.

(LO6) A wide ranging  understanding of the operation of multi-user systems.

(LO7) A critical understanding of alternative database system paradigms.

(S1) Skills in using technology - Online communications skills

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Creative thinking

Week 1: Database Concepts
The fundamentals of database system. The evolution of database systems from computer file systems. The idea of database design as a crucial first step in the development and proper use of database systems. The use of Database Management Systems (DBMS) and their functionality. Different types of database systems.

Week 2: The Relational Database Model
The basic idea of relational database systems. Relational table components and characteristics. The concept of “keys” and their usage in relational database environments. Relational database operators. The concept of the data dictionary. Basic entity relationships.

Week 3: Structured Query Language
The basics of the Structured Query Language (SQL). Creating database and table structures, perform various types of data manipulation and data administration using SQL. Relational set operators in SQL and how those operators are used to merge the results of multiple queries. Ex tracting information from multiple tables.

Week 4: Entity-Relationship Modelling
The data modelling aspect of database design using Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERDs). Database modelling tools. Conflicting goals in database design, and design compromises.

Week 5: Normalisation of Database Tables
The design and evaluation of good table structures to control data redundancies and avoid data anomalies. The process of “normalisation”. Normalisation techniques.

Week 6: Advanced Database Concepts
The main database transaction properties and how SQL can be used to represent transactions. The use of transaction logs to ensure a DBMS’s ability to recover transactions. Concurrency control and DBMS scheduling to enforces concurrency control. The fundamentals of distributed database systems.

Week 7: Client/Server Systems
The components of client/server computing and how their interaction effects database design, implementation, and management.

Week 8: The Data Warehouse
The idea of data warehousing. The concepts and components, and the various architectures, involved in data warehousing. The tools available to support data warehousing. Advanced data analysis using OnLine Analytical Processing (OLAP). The potential of data mining.

Teaching Method 1 - Virtual classroom hours (for online modules)
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Number of hours per week that students are expected to attend the virtual classroom so as to participate in discussion, dedicated to group work and individual assessment is 8.75.

Teaching Method 2 - Non-classroom hours (for online modules)
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Number of hours per week that students are expected to devote to reading, research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom is 10.