Course Title: Enterprise Database Integration

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Enterprise Database Integration

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: Associate Professor James Thom

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2992

Course Coordinator Email: james.thom@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

You may not enrol in this course unless it is explicitly listed in your enrolment  program summary, and you have confirmed with your program coordinator that it is an appropriate choice for your study plan.

Fundamental knowledge of relational database concepts, including relational modelling & design, relational algebra, SQL, and conceptual modelling, equivalent to Database Concepts, which is a prerequisite. 


Course Description

Enterprise database integration is major issue as organizations seek to combine information systems across an organization, this is especially difficult when the systems being combined are a result of organization mergers and takeovers. This course makes use tools for Enterprise Application Integration (EAI).


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Development of student graduate capabilities is an on-going process that takes place in all courses and over the period of the whole program. This course particularly addresses the following capabilities: knowledge (database integration), and critical analysis (to address issues that arise with the integration of disparate databases).


On completion of this course you should have gained a good understanding of techniques for enterprise database integration and be able to apply these concepts into practice. Specifically, you should be able to:

  • design integrated database schemas
  • address problems with integration of data from different sources
  • use software supporting mediation and federated approaches to EAI


Overview of Learning Activities

The course will comprise of lectures, tutorials and possibly some laboratory sessions to familiarise students with appropriate tools. Each week there will be 2 hours of lectures and, from the second week of semester, 1 hour of combined tutorial work and laboratory.

Students will also be expected to undertake additional laboratory work in their own time. Students are encouraged to participate during tutorial sessions through asking questions, commenting on the lecture material based on their own experiences, and through presenting solutions to written exercises.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will make extensive use of computer laboratories and relevant software provided by the School. You will be able to access course information and learning materials through the Learning Hub (also known as online@RMIT) and may be provided with copies of additional materials in class or via email. Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided.

Use the RMIT Bookshop’s textbook list search page to find any recommended textbook(s).


Overview of Assessment

The assessment for this course consists of written summaries of reading material, an evaluation of participation in and leading class discussions, a short review paper and a major assignment.

For standard assessment details, including deadlines, weightings, and hurdle requirements relating to Computer Science and IT courses see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/csit/cgi