Introduction to the basic goals, functions, models, components, applications, and social impact of database system applications. The course introduces the relational data model and the database query language SQL. Entity-Relationship Diagrams are introduced as a tool for conceptual modeling. Effective mapping of a conceptual model to a relational database schema requires some appreciation of the role of integrity constraints, and the impact of DBMS characteristics.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following:

• Describe the features of the relational data model and understand the relevance of the model to database systems.
• Describe the reasons for normalisation; analyse given relations for normal form; design normalysed relations.
• Use a database maniplation language (SQL)
• Use a database definition language (SQL)
• Appreciate integrity and security issues for database systems
• Implement a small database having regard to integrity and security requirements.

Continuous Assessment (30%); Mid Semester Exam (20%); Final Exam (50%)

Thirty one-hour lectures and six two-hour tutorial/laboratory sessions

COMP1100 or COMP1710 or INFS1001

COMP1100 or COMP1730 or COMP1710 or INFS1001

Connelly, Thomas & Begg, Carolyn, 2010, 5th edition, Addison Wesley,
Database Systems: A practical approach to design, implementation and management Addison-Wesley, Pearson Education

Also recommended, especially for high achieving students:

Ullman, Jeffrey, D Principles of Database and Knowledge-Base Systems, Computer Science Press, 1988.