CE153-4-AU-CO:
Introduction to Databases

The details
2023/24
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
15 November 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BSC G610 Computer Games,
BSC G612 Computer Games (Including Year Abroad),
BSC G620 Computer Games (Including Foundation Year),
BSC I610 Computer Games (Including Placement Year),
BENGG420 Computer Networks,
BENGG421 Computer Networks (Including Year Abroad),
BENGG520 Computer Networks (Including Foundation Year),
BENGI120 Computer Networks (Including Placement Year),
BSC G400 Computer Science,
BSC G401 Computer Science (Including Year Abroad),
BSC G403 Computer Science (Including Foundation Year),
BSC I101 Computer Science (Including Placement Year),
MSCIG402 Computer Science,
MSCII100 Computer Science (Integrated Masters, Including Placement Year),
BENGH650 Computer Systems Engineering,
BENGH651 Computer Systems Engineering (Including Year Abroad),
BENGH750 Computer Systems Engineering (Including Foundation Year),
BENGHP50 Computer Systems Engineering (Including Placement Year),
BENGGH46 Computers with Electronics (Including Foundation Year),
BENGGH4P Computers with Electronics,
BENGGH4Q Computers with Electronics (Including Year Abroad),
BENGI1H6 Computers with Electronics (Including Placement Year),
BSC I1G3 Data Science and Analytics,
BSC I1GB Data Science and Analytics (Including Placement Year),
BSC I1GC Data Science and Analytics (Including Year Abroad),
BSC I1GF Data Science and Analytics (Including Foundation Year),
BSC G111 Computing,
BSC G112 Computing (Including Year Abroad),
BSC G113 Computing (Including Placement Year),
BSC GH01 Computing and Electronics,
BSC GH02 Computing and Electronics (Including Year Abroad),
BSC GH03 Computing and Electronics (Including Placement Year),
BSC GH3P Computing and Electronics (Including Foundation Year),
BSC I400 Artificial Intelligence,
BSC I401 Artificial Intelligence (Including Foundation Year),
BSC I402 Artificial Intelligence (including Placement Year),
BSC I403 Artificial Intelligence (including Year Abroad)

Module description

The module will provide an introduction to data modelling and the design and implementation of relational databases, exemplified using SQL. Students will prepare a relational schema from a conceptual model using the entity-relationship model. They will understand the notions of relation, key and normal forms in database design. Students will demonstrate data definition in SQL and retrieve information using SQL SELECT, leading to a relational database management system to build a database.

Module aims

The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to data modelling and the design and implementation of relational databases.

Module learning outcomes

After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. prepare a relational schema from a conceptual model developed using the entity-relationship model.
2. employ the notions of relation, key and normal forms in a relational database design.
3. create a relational database schema in SQL that incorporates key, entity integrity, and referential integrity constraints.
4. demonstrate data definition in SQL and retrieve information from a database using the SQL SELECT statement.
5. use a relational database management system to build a database.

Module information

Outline Syllabus

Underlying principles
The relational model of databases

Fundamentals of Relational Database Systems
Entity-relationship modelling
Mapping conceptual schema to a relational model
Relational algebra: operations developed for relational databases

Relational Database Design
Functional dependency
Normal forms and normalisation

Structured Query Language
Data definition
Keys
Entity integrity constraints and referential integrity constraints
Query formulation

Learning and teaching methods

Lectures and Laboratories

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Progress Test 1     16.60% 
Coursework   Progress Test 2    16.60% 
Coursework   Completion certificate of lab exercise - Week 4    6.70% 
Coursework   Completion certificate of lab exercise - Week 5    6.70% 
Coursework   Completion certificate of lab exercise - Week 7    6.70% 
Coursework   Completion certificate of lab exercise - Week 9    6.70% 
Coursework   Completion certificate of lab exercise - Week 11    6.70% 
Coursework   Completion Certificate of Large Assignment     33.30% 
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 90 minutes during January 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 90 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
60% 40%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
60% 40%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Mr Kabo Pule, email: k.e.pule@essex.ac.uk.
Mr Kabo Pule
School Office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770

 

Availability
Yes
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 58 hours, 38 (65.5%) hours available to students:
2 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
18 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)

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