THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2010/2011
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences)

Postgraduate Course: Advanced Spatial Database Methods (PGGE11083)

Course Outline
School School of Geosciences College College of Science and Engineering
Course type Standard Availability Available to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken) SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits 10
Home subject area Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences) Other subject area None
Course website http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/ Taught in Gaelic? No
Course description This course builds on the theory and techniques taught in the Spatial Modelling course, with the aim of extending and deepening appreciation of formal database management. The course begins by looking further at relational database management systems, considering a means of assessing the 'relational-ness' of such systems, together with SQL particularly in the context of standardisation efforts. The course continues by examining Object-Oriented and Object-Relational approaches, together with issues important to GIS such as hybrid vs. integrated data models and the long transaction. The course extends student's knowledge of commercial data models, reviewing their advantages and disadvantages, together with looking at case studies of database management in the commercial GIS environment. Practicals extend the student=s knowledge of standard SQL, examine Oracle Spatial in detail and introduce MySQL and its spatial extension.
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Spatial Modelling (PGGE11092)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs none
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites None
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2010/11 Block 3 (Sem 2), Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
CentralLaboratory1-6 16:10 - 18:00
CentralLecture1-6 14:00 - 15:50
First Class Week 1, Tuesday, 14:00 - 15:50, Zone: Central. Old Library, Geography Drummond St
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, students should have achieved and demonstrated, or be able to achieve and demonstrate, the ability to:
-understand the database methods used to store spatial and attribute data in the context of geographical information systems
-appreciate the historical development of these systems
-implement a data model and understand the methods of normalisation
-understand the concept of database management in the corporate environment and its implications
-critically review the available technologies, assessing their merits and shortcomings
-compare and contrast database management systems and their use within GIS
-predict future developments and understand the implications of standardisation efforts
-use Structured Query Language (SQL) for both the manipulation and definition of objects within a relational database management system
-extended use of the Oracle relational database management system through SQL*Plus, SQL*Loader and SQL*Forms
-store and interrogate spatial data within Oracle and the use of Oracle Spatial
-locate, read and summarise relevant literature, from both traditional and electronic media, to extend your understanding of the topic
-develop reasoned arguments, firmly grounded in the available literature
-plan and write assignments, within the specified parameters and to a professional standard
-take responsibility for your own learning through reading and the preparation of assignments, and reflect upon your learning experience
Assessment Information
100% coursework: assessed practical, seminar/demonstration, written submission
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Reading List (selected references)
- Date, C.J. (1995) An Introduction to Database Systems (7th edition) Addison-Wesley
- Egenhofer, M.J. (1992) Why not SQL! International Journal of Geographical Information Systems, 6 (2), 71-86
- Kothuri, R.V., A. Godfrind and E.Beinat (2007) Pro Oracle Spatial for 11g, Apress
- Lake, R., D. Burggraf, M. Trninic and L. Rae (2004) Geography Mark-Up Language: Foundation for the Geo-Web, John Wiley & Sons
- Rigaux, P., Scholl, M. and Voisard, A. (2002) Spatial Databases with Application to GIS. Morgan Kaufmann
- Wachowicz, Monica (1999) Object-oriented design for temporal GIS. Taylor & Francis, London
- Worboys, M.F. and Duckham, M. (2004) GIS: A Computing Perspective. CRC Press, Second Edition
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
Keywords Database management, Oracle Spatial, SQL, data models
Contacts
Course organiser Mr Bruce Gittings
Tel: (0131 6)50 2558
Email: Bruce.Gittings@ed.ac.uk
Course secretary Ms Caroline Keir
Tel: (0131 6)50 2543
Email: caroline.keir@ed.ac.uk
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copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 13 January 2011 6:28 am