Course Title: Relational Database Design and Development

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Relational Database Design and Development

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ISYS2065

City Campus

Undergraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012

Course Coordinator: Huan Vo-Tran

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1699

Course Coordinator Email:huan.vo-tran@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 108.17.81


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

A good understanding of basic computer fundamentals, some knowledge of an RDBMS end user package such as MS Access or File maker Pro, MySQL and MSSQL.


Course Description

Each student will take on the role of a Database Consultant for a real approved client or environment of their choosing. Students will gather information, analyse and design, then construct a prototype database for a real client of their choosing.  Two reports are to be written for advising the client of findings and design, and the prototype (showing functionality and look and feel) is also to be delivered. 

If you are undertaking this course in Melbourne from semester 2, 2012 onward your class will be held in a device-equipped teaching space. Each student group will have access to a laptop. It is however recommended that you have access to a mobile computing device to allow greater flexibility in terms of where you can work on campus both in and outside class times.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Specific capability development of the course includes the ability to

  • Examine a typical business application where there are data processing problems (either because of absence of computerised systems or inadequate legacy systems) and develop database solutions.
  • Promote an understanding of the data needed to scope a database system through an information requirements analysis.
  • Develop skills in the application of data modelling methods.
  • Extract information efficiently and effectively from a relational database system using a variety of data retrieval techniques.
  • Design and develop a relational database system with appropriate functionality to process the data and with constraints to maintain data integrity and avoid data redundancy.


At the conclusion of this course, you will able to

  • Gather the information requirements from a typical business situation, and to document them.
  • Analyse the data, processes, business rules in a business operation, and to design a non-redundant relational database.
  • Document the design of a databse, including user views.
  • Manipulate an RDBMS (MS Access) and to build a protoype to demonstrate to the users.
  • Design and develop a relational database system with appropriate functionality to process the data and with constraints to maintain data integrity and avoid data redundancy


Overview of Learning Activities

The course consists of a series of three-hour classes, structured as a one-hour lecture followed by a two-hour practical session.  The lectures will present the necessary theory for analysing and designing database systems.  The practical sessions will focus on applying the theory presented in the lectures through solving real life examples and developing computer skills in a relational database package. Any practical work not completed in class time must be completed outside class time.  It is expected that students will spend approximately 6 - 9 hours per week outside class times completing work from the practical class (MS Access) and working on the assignments.


Overview of Learning Resources

The lecture notes will provide the outline of learning material for this course, but the recommended text will augment and broaden the students understanding considerably.  Internet resources will also be used to supplement readings on some topics and may be used for MS Access exercises.  The ONLINE@RMIT will provide more detailed information for Lectures, Tutorials and pertinent examples. 


Overview of Assessment

  • Major database Development Project (60%)
    where Stage A (15%), Stage B (25%), Stage C (20%)
  • Exam (30%)
  • Weekly Homework Exercises (10%)