Course syllabus - Databases

Objectives

The course aims to provide a basic theoretical and practical knowledge of databases and their ability to provide robust, efficient and standardized management of data in software. The course provides sufficient knowledge in order to work with databases professionally as well as providing a solid foundation for advanced studies on e.g. object-oriented and object-relational databases, distributed and component-based software development.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student shall be able to:
 
1. describe how a database can be used to store and manage information in a standardized, structured and efficient manner,
2. construct conceptual data models from given requirements and further transform and implemented these into a database,
3. explain the principles of the relational model and the relational algebra and how these are used in the implementation of a relational database,
4. develop operations, procedures and functions towards databases as well as formulating complex database queries using associations and unions of relations,
5. apply the normalization process on relational databases,
6. develop programs, both in the client and in the database that programmatically utilize the database,
7. explain the internal structure of a database manager with respect to, for example architecture, transaction, recovery and index management,
8. give examples of scientific problems and research in the database area and
9. relate to social and ethical problems, within the database area, such as hacking and management of personal data.

Course content

Databases in general. Construction and design of relational databases. Modelling of databases using E/R and EE/R diagrams. Introduction to SQL. The relational model and relational algebra. Functional dependencies and normal forms. Transaction management. Recovery from system- and media-faults. Physical database implementation and indexing. Programming towards databases. Database security, ethics, and regulations on data storage.

Specific requirements

Programming 7,5 credits, Object-Oriented Programming 7,5 hp and Data structures, algorithms and program development 7,5 credits or corresponding.

Examination

Seminar (SEM1), 0.5 credits, examines the learning objective 9, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G). 
Laboratory work (LAB1), 3.5 credits, examines the learning objectives 1-4 and 6, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G). 
Written assignment (INL1), 1 credit, examines the learning objectives 1 and 8, marks Fail (U), 3, 4 or 5. 
Examination (TEN1), written examination, 2.5 credits, examines the learning objectives 1, 3, 5 and 7, marks Fail (U), 3, 4 or 5.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course completely overlaps with the courses CDT208 Databases, DVA214 Databases, DVA234 Databases and also CDT223 Development of Web Applications with .NET and DVA213 Development of Web Applications with .NET.