| CODE | CIS1043 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Databases and Information Management | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Computer Information Systems | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This is an introductory study-unit to describe the definition, manipulation and updating of databases through specialised tools; these tools fall under the umbrella term of Database Management Systems (DBMS). The topics include Structured Query Language (SQL), logical database design techniques (e.g. top down and bottom up), Relational model and languages, and programming at server side. Study-unit Aims: - The main aim of this unit is to introduce students to databases and DBMSs. - The students are introduced to the “database approach” that needs adopting whilst developing database centric applications. - The candidates are also introduced to the principal components and architecture of a DBMS, modelling the data requirements onto a database, and the importance of data modelling that prioritise logical and physical data independence. - The use of ER diagrams for design database design and data normalisation for validating a design against redundancy. - The use of SQL and stored procedures for designing and querying a database. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe a DBMS through its component parts; - Operate the main components of a DBMS according to their functionality and interaction with data storage; - Explain the role and usage of abstract design; - Demonstrate the capability of writing queries that include access to the data dictionary; - Interpret the relative merits and capabilities associated with relational data design; - Demonstrate the capabilities of relational languages (declarative and procedural); - Employ structural design constructs and triggers to implement a database design; - Characterise the usage and scope of server side programming languages; - Appraise the importance of roles and other management issues associated with a live database. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Name the main parts of a DBMS; - List the resources required by each DBMS component and their interaction; - Aware of the various modelling techniques (ERM and data normalisation up to 3NF); - Choose and apply a design technique appropriate to a system’s data requirement; - Apply knowledge of SQL DDL and DML for the specification of tables and constraints, basic updating of data and various query operations; - Understand the translation of declarative into procedural queries (e.g. in relational algebra); - Write basic triggers; - Write basic server side programs. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Fundamentals of Database Systems, Ramez Elmasri, Shamkant B. Navathe, 7th Edition, 2016, Pearson. PostgreSQL: Up and Running: A Practical Introduction to the Advanced Open Source Database, Regina O. Obe, Leo S. Hsu, 2014, 2nd Edition, O’Reilly. SQL Cookbook: Query Solutions and Techniques for Database Developers, 2009, O’Reilly Media. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Joseph Vella |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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