Module overview
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The structure and facilities of the Unix system and its application to system tasks
- The relational model of data
- The role of database systems in information management
- The concept of data modelling
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Define, normalise and query databases
- Use the UNIX command line effectively and construct shell scripts using data manipulation tools
- Structure data and documents using markup languages
Syllabus
The Unix family of operating systems (Linux, BSD, macOS)
- The Unix philosophy and environment; files, processes, pipes, filters and basic utilities
- Data manipulation tools; editors, grep and other utilities
- Scripting
- Shells and shell programming
- Program development tools
Structured documents and markup languages
- LaTeX
- XML-based languages
Database systems
- The Relational Model: Relations, domains, attributes, keys, dependencies and normalisation
- Database Modelling using the Entity-Relationship Model
- Practical SQL
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The content of this module is delivered through lectures, the module website, directed reading and pre-recorded materials.
Students work on their understanding through a combination of independent study and preparation for timetabled activities, along with formative assessments in the form of coursework assignments.
Students work on their practical skills and technical understanding in technical laboratories and assessed laboratories.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wider reading or practice | 20 |
| Lecture | 36 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 10 |
| Follow-up work | 18 |
| Specialist Laboratory | 20 |
| Revision | 8 |
| Completion of assessment task | 38 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
C.J. Date (2004). An Introduction to Database Systems. Addison-Wesley.
H.J. Garcia-Molina et al (2009). Database systems : the complete book. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Mike Joy, Stephen Jarvis and Michael Luck (2002). Introducing Unix and Linux. Palgrave Macmillan.
T.M. Connolly and C.E. Begg. Database systems. Addison-Wesley.
R. Elmasri and S. Navathe (2007). Fundamentals of database systems. Pearson/Addison Wesley.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
This module is assessed by a combination of coursework, assessed laboratories and a final assessment in the form of a computer aided examination.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 40% |
| Laboratory | 20% |
| Coursework | 40% |