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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Informatics : Informatics

Postgraduate Course: Applied Databases (INFR11015)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Informatics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits10
Home subject areaInformatics Other subject areaNone
Course website http://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/teaching/courses/ad Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionApplied Databases covers the practical application of current database technology and strategies for dealing with complex data. The course will focus on the practical application Relational Database Systems with reference to the underlying design limitations of such systems.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements For Informatics PG and final year MInf students only, or by special permission of the School.
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1 - Discuss the application of database systems in Informatics
2 - Describe how database systems work
3 - Analyse data and describe using common description methods such as ER diagrams and XML
4 - Convert ER schema into relational tables, populate a relational database and run queries on the data
5 - Design and implment appropriate interfaces (middleware) to database systems
6 - Disucss the limitations of database and data handling technologies
7 - Explain the relationship between database limitations and the underlying technology
8 - Contrast relational systems with semi-structured approaches
9 - Describe examples of current research in the field
Assessment Information
Written Examination 70
Assessed Assignments 30
Oral Presentations 0

Assessment
A two-part set of linked assignments that together form a mini-project. The first covers the design and testing of a database solution to a problem of the students choice (approved by the course staff). The second covers the implementation of a middleware/interface appropriate to the first part. This may take the form of an application wrtten in JAVA or PYTHON or web-enabled middleware mini-project.

If delivered in semester 1, this course will have an option for semester 1 only visiting undergraduate students, providing assessment prior to the end of the calendar year.
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus * Introduction to Databases: Data models and Schema design; SQL and relational database systems; Indexes and query optimisation; Interfaces and middleware design choices and assessment; XML and semi-structured data.
* Strategies for dealing with complex data: We will examine existing database systems in various scientific fields and review strategies used by these resources to tackle the key issues. Although focussing on astonomy, biological and neuroscience examples, the content will be of general appicability.
* Practical Implementation: Key Database software packages will be reviewed; The course will cover basic middleware design and implementation with examples.

Relevant QAA Computing Curriculum Sections: Databases, Middleware
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Database Management Systems: Ramakrishnan & Gherke, published by McGraw Hill 2003
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Lectures 20
Tutorials 0
Timetabled Laboratories 8
Non-timetabled assessed assignments 35
Private Study/Other 37
Total 100
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Michael Rovatsos
Tel: (0131 6)51 3263
Email: mrovatso@inf.ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Kate Weston
Tel: (0131 6)50 2701
Email: Kate.Weston@ed.ac.uk
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 6:17 am