Course Title: Practical Database Concepts

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Practical Database Concepts

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
ISYS3412	City Campus	Undergraduate	171H School of Science	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2020, Sem 2 2020, Sem 1 2021, Sem 2 2021
ISYS3412	City Campus	Undergraduate	175H Computing Technologies	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 2 2023, Sem 1 2024, Sem 2 2024
ISYS3414	RMIT University Vietnam	Undergraduate	171H School of Science	Face-to-Face	Viet1 2020, Viet3 2020, Viet1 2021, Viet2 2021
ISYS3414	RMIT University Vietnam	Undergraduate	175H Computing Technologies	Face-to-Face	Viet1 2022, Viet2 2022, Viet1 2023, Viet2 2023, Viet1 2024, Viet3 2024
ISYS3433	RMIT Vietnam Hanoi Campus	Undergraduate	175H Computing Technologies	Face-to-Face	Viet1 2024, Viet3 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr. Xiangmin Zhou

Course Coordinator Phone: -

Course Coordinator Email: xiangmin.zhou@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment, by email

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

Databases and database technology are having a major impact on the growing use of computers. They play a critical role in almost all areas where computers are used.

This subject introduces you to basic database design and implementation concepts, database design techniques, and efficient data management. You will use structured query languages to manipulate data and perform a variety of tasks including querying and report writing to meet organisational needs.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for BP162 - Bachelor of Information Technology and BP232 – Bachelor of Technology (Computing Studies) programs.

1. Enabling Knowledge
You will gain skills as you apply knowledge effectively in diverse contexts.

2. Critical Analysis
You will learn to accurately and objectively examine and consider computer science and information technology (IT) topics, evidence, or situations, in particular to:

• Analyse and model requirements and constraints for the purpose of designing and implementing software artefacts and IT systems
• Evaluate and compare designs of software artefacts and IT systems on the basis of organisational and user requirements.

3. Problem Solving
Your capability to analyse problems and synthesise suitable solutions will be extended as you learn to:

• Design and implement software solutions that accommodate specified requirements and constraints, based on analysis or modelling or requirements specification.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Describe the underlying theoretical basis of the relational database model and apply the theories into practice;
2. Explain the main concepts for data modelling and characteristics of database systems;
3. Develop a sound database design using conceptual modelling mechanisms such as entity-relationship diagrams;
4. Develop a database based on a sound database design;
5. Apply SQL as a programming language to define database schemas, update database contents and to extract data from databases for specific users’ information needs;
6. Create then populate a normalised database based on a publicly available dataset, and visualise the results of queries against the dataset.

Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are:

• Lectures: Key concepts are explained, course material is presented, and the subject matter is illustrated with demonstrations and examples.
• Tute-lab sessions focus on analyse and problem solving of given scenarios, such as data modelling problems, and provide practice in the application of theory along with tutors and peers.
• Moderated online discussion forums provide a question-answer forum for subject and assessment matters
• Private study is important to work through the course learning material and gain practice at solving conceptual and technical problems.
• Peer-assisted or mentor-led learning programs may be available.

Overview of Learning Resources

The course is supported by the Canvas learning management system which provides specific learning resources. See the RMIT Library Guide at http://rmit.libguides.com/compsci 

Overview of Assessment

The assessment for this course comprises both practical and theoretical work involving the analysis, design and development of database systems and querying database systems to meet information needs. Across all assessment tasks you will be required to demonstrate your critical analysis skills and database programming skills. All assessment tasks are individual.

Note: This course has no hurdle requirements.

The assessment for this course comprises:

Assessment Task 1: Take-home assignment on ER Modeling and Relational Database Model
Weighting: 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment Task 2: Take-home assignment on SQL Programming and Normalisation
Weighting: 30%
This assessment task supports CLO 1, 3, 4, 5

Assessment Task 3: Online Fortnightly Quizzes
Weighting: 15% (5 x 3%)
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 5

Assessment Task 4: Project
Weighting: 35%
This assessment covers all course learning outcomes CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6