Postgraduate Course: Applied Databases (INFR11015)
Course Outline
| School | School of Informatics |
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 | Informatics |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
http://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/teaching/courses/ad |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Applied 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-requisites | None |
| 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 |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Michael Rovatsos
Tel: (0131 6)51 3263
Email: mrovatso@inf.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Kate Weston
Tel: (0131 6)50 2692
Email: Kate.Weston@ed.ac.uk |
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