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Databases 2
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Level 3, 10 credit module
Prerequisite: 06-19321 Software System
Components 2 (or some other introductory
course in databases)
2 lectures & 1 exercise class / week
Weekly exercise sheets [unassessed; but IF
YOU DO THEM you receive feedback on these]
Focus of the module:
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We use the public-domain PostgreSQL system
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Not a training programme in a particular
database management system
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Focus on giving an intro to fundamental aspects
of database theory & practice
What is covered
1. Querying a relational database with SQL
2. Modelling a real-world situation with (extended)
entity-relationship diagrams
* ER modelling
* Extended ER diagrams
* Translating EER diagrams to tables
(SQL CREATE statements)
What is covered (cont'd)
3. Logical analysis of database designs
* Relational algebra
* Functional dependencies
* Normalisation
What is covered (cont'd)
4. Relational Database Management System
(RDBMS) implementation technology
* File organisation and retrieval
* Indexes
* Algorithms for relational operators
* Query Execution
* Query Optimisation
* Transactions
Possibly more...
* XML
* Query optimisation
* Multimedia databases
Assessment
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20% continuous assessment
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3 in-class assessed tests, 50 mins each
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Announced ~1week in advance
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Marks made available via the web
80% written exam in May
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Undergrads (BA, Bsc, BEng or MEng) can NOT
resit the exam
Msc have one resit opportunity
What is expected of you
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Regular attendance at lectures
Coming prepared (with notes) for the exercise
class so you can complete a large fraction of
exercise in the class
Collecting feedback promptly & reviewing any
mistakes you might have made
Approaching me in office hours to clear up any
questions promptly
Have fun in learning!