31271 Database Fundamentals
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 48023 Programming Fundamentals OR 37171 Introduction to Programming OR 48430 Fundamentals of C Programming OR 41039 Programming 1
Anti-requisite(s): 31061 Database Principles AND 31474 Database Fundamentals AND 31487 Database Management Systems AND 32606 Database
Recommended studies:
it is assumed that students are familiar with basic system analysis concepts and have basic software skills
Description
This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of effective database systems. Students are taught how data is structured and managed in an organisation in a way that can be used effectively by applications and users. They also learn to use the language SQL for effective data retrieval and modification. This subject teaches students to appreciate the significance and challenges of good database design and management, which underpin the development of functional software applications.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Construct conceptual data models using appropriate database design, and data modelling principles. (C.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Identify data redundancy levels and their impact on database integrity and maintainability using data normalisation principles. (D.1) |
| 3. | Construct efficient SQL queries to retrieve and manipulate data as required. (D.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.1. Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
Teaching and learning strategies
Lectures and tutorial sessions totalling 3 hours per week, plus some optional, drop-in laboratory sessions during the session.
Related materials (lecture notes, tutorial questions, etc.) will be provided on Canvas. Students can also benefit from the discussion board on Canvas where they can share their questions and engage in the inquiry before attending the classes. They need to be prepared for their weekly quiz.
In tutorials, students will be involved in discussions about provided tasks to analyze the problem from different perspectives. Students have the opportunity to share their ideas and skills with their teammates under the supervision of their tutor. Suggested solutions will be presented by each team and discussed/evaluated during the tutorial.
During the session, students will receive feedback on their progress and performance through weekly quizzes, tutorial discussions and reviewed assignments.
Content (topics)
- The Role of Databases in Information Systems
- The Relational Data Model
- Conceptual database design (ER modeling)
- Logical design: ER conversion to a relational model
- Normalisation
- SQL: simple queries, aggregate functions, data modification statements, simple joins, complex joins, subqueries and set operators
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Weekly Quiz
| Intent: | To assess the individual student's understanding of four or five specified concepts covered in the lecture and tutorial topics. Two or three questions of the quiz are extracted from the class activities (lecture and tutorial) of the week. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 2: Data Modeling and Database Design Assignment
| Intent: | The assignment assesses the student's ability to analyse and interpret data requirements, and to create conceptual and logical designs for a suitable database by applying the principles of data modeling and data normalisation. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Design/drawing/plan/sketch |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 3: Preparation SQL Quiz for the Online SQL Test
| Intent: | The online test assesses the student's practical ability to construct appropriate SQL statements to retrieve particular information from the database. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
Assessment task 4: Online SQL Test
| Intent: | The online test assesses the student's practical ability to construct appropriate SQL statements to retrieve particular information from the database. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Minimum requirements
To order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
The required referent for the subject is:
Modern Database Management, 11th or 12th Edition, by Hoffer, J.A, Ramesh, V., and Topi, H., ISBN-10: 0273779281 or ISBN-13: 9780273779285, published by Pearson Education.
To reduce the cost of the prescribed textbook, students can purchase the electronic version of the book or a custom book that is compiled by Dr Julia Prior and includes only the chapters that are used in the subject (i.e. chapters 1-4, 6 and the first part of 7 from the original book).
The tenth edition of the book is also acceptable, although the relevant page numbers may be different.
It is expected that every student has their own copy of the prescribed textbook which is the primary resource for the subject. The content of the subject is based heavily on the contents of this textbook.
Please see the Textbook module on the LMS (Learning Management System) for more information and the book links.
Recommended texts
Mannino, Michael V (University of Colorado, Denver).: Database Design, Application, Development & Administration, 2nd, 3rd (McGraw-Hill publishers) and 4th editions are all acceptable; the relevant material in all of these editions is essentially the same in content, it is mostly chapter and page numbers that may be different. There are several copies of the 4th edition available in 7-day loans section, open reserve and on the open shelves, as well as a number of copies of the 2nd edition in 7-day loans, closed reserve and on the open shelves, in the university's City campus library in Haymarket.
Date, C.J.: An introduction to Database Systems, Eighth Edition, Pearson Addison Wesley, 2003, ISBN: 0321197844 (there are several copies of this in the City campus library, and other books by the same author). Whilst this book is quite technical, this is the seminal text for relational database management systems.
Simsion, Graeme C. : Data Modeling Essentials, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Amsterdam, 2005, ISBN: 0126445516 (there is also a later edition, but this is not in the uni library).
Pratt, Philip J. : A Guide to SQL, Seventh Edition, Thomson Course Technology, 2005, ISBN 0619216743 (earlier editions also fine).
Connolly, Thomas M.: Database solutions : a step-by-step guide to building databases, Second Edition, Pearson Addison Wesley, 2003, ISBN 0321173503.
Connolly, Thomas and Begg, Carolyn: Database Systems – a practical approach to design, implementation, and management, Fifth Edition, AddisonWesley, 2010, ISBN 0321523067 (third and fourth editions also fine).
These texts, and several others on relational database design, use and management, are all available in the university library.
References
Useful web references include:
http://www.sqlcourse.com/
http://www.w3schools.com/sql/default.asp
http://sqlzoo.net/
http://wiki.postgresql.org/
Additional references and reading material will be handed out, recommended during lectures or posted to the LMS (Learning Management System: Canvas and/or Ed) when necessary during the semester.
Other resources
Lecture Slides
Please note that although electronic copies of all lecture slides are available for students, these are not to be regarded as adequate lecture notes, nor as the complete subject content. They are merely a guide to what students need to master in the subject, and for students to use as a basis for making their own notes during lectures.
The Learning Management System (Canvas) is the web-based online learning and teaching environment used at UTS in a variety of ways to support, complement, and extend student learning activities. Subject announcements, links to subject learning materials, and other information will be posted on Canvas. You may use it for communicating with other course participants and staff, and you should also participate in the online discussion forums related to the subject on Ed.
You should check the announcements on the LMS (Learning Management System) and Ed for this subject at least once a week, as all student notices for this subject will be given via this site. The subject coordinator will assume that every student is checking the LMS and Ed news page regularly for subject announcements, as well as the discussion forums and subject material.