Manchester Est. 1824
 

Supporting Material for COMP67340: Database Systems (MSc)

 
 
  • Module code: COMP67340
  • Module leaders: Prof John Keane and Dr Goran Nenadic
  • Credit rating: 15

  • Lectures: Wednesdays, 9-13, room 2.15/Kilburn
 
 

Aims

Students should learn about the role of databases in organisations and gain practical experience of designing and implementing a simple database according to the relational model. The underpinnings of relational technology (relational model, relational algebra and database design theory) will be studied together with the analysis of its limitations which led to the development of Object Oriented and Object Relational approaches to databases. An understanding of current and likely future developments in database technology should also be gained.

 
 

Learning outcomes

A student completing this course unit should:

  • understand the role, importance and impact of information management and be able to use data management techniques to address business issues
  • understand data modelling techniques, including ER modelling language
  • understand the principles of the relational data model and relational algebra
  • be familiar with database design and implementation, including development of database schemas (conceptual and logical)
  • learn SQL and understand the mappings from SQL to relational algebra, and be able to use both as query languages
  • learn basic principles of object-oriented and object-relational database management systems
  • understand database technology trends
  • be familiar with DBMS and DB design software
  • develop report writing skills and work effectively as a team member.
 
 

Syllabus

  • Introduction to databases and information management in organisations.
  • Database design using the ER model.
  • Relational model and mapping ER to relational; Relational algebra and views; Normalisation.
  • Database manipulation, retrieval and programming; Structured Query Language (SQL).
  • Transaction processing, distribution, concurrency and recovery.
  • Object and object-relational databases.
  • DBMS technology trends.

 
 

Reading list

  • (textbook) TM. Connolly, CE. Begg: Database systems: a practical approach to design, implementation, and management, 4th edition, Addison-Wesley, 2005, (ISBN 0-321-21025-5)
  • (textbook) R. Elmasri, S.B. Navathe: Fundamentals of Database Systems, 4th edition, Addison Wesley, 2004, (ISBN 0-321-20448-4)
  • A. Silberschatz, H. Korth, S. Sudarshan, Database System Concepts, 5th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2005 (ISBN 0-07-295886-3)

 
 

Assessment

Assessment consists of 80% examination and 20% course work. The exam consists of 3 questions (selected from 5). Calculators are allowed.

Coursework description: one practical assignment, due in Week 10.

 
 
 
 

Resources

Please contact lecturers for slides.

  • Lecture 1: Introduction to Database Technologies and Architectures
  • Lecture 2: Data modelling using the ER model
    • DBDesigner
    • Toolkit for Conceptual Modeling (TCM)
    • DIA
    • Data modeling tools
  • Lecture 3: Enhanced ER model