Database Design Concepts

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Database Design Concepts

• Lecture 1
• Introduction to the module

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INFO 1408DATABASE DESIGN CONCEPTS

• This is one of four modules you will be covering
  this year (three if you are studying part time)
• This module covers the HND requirements for
  Databases
• It is a module which covers a range of topics
  which are particularly useful for project work
  later on. If you put the effort into this module
  you will find projects much easier next year.

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MODULE STAFF

• Each module is managed by a module leader, but
  may be taught by a number staff.
• Module leader
• Karen Burrow
• Kbur_at_dmu.ac.uk
• G5.32
• .
• You should discuss any issues regarding this
  module with the tutor who is teaching you, they
  may sometimes suggest you contact the module
  leader.

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Your Lecturer

• Chris Wood
• Gateway House 5.62
• 0116 207 8403
• cgw_at_dmu.ac.uk
• www.cse.dmu.ac.uk/cgw

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Teaching schedule

• See attached plan
• Each week you will have
• One lecture
• One tutorial
• One lab
• Tutorials and labs start next week.

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Tutorials

• This is a class session for you to practise the
  skills you will require to complete the
  assessment
• There will be work for you to complete out of the
  tutorial
• There will be one tutorial session on your
  timetable- make sure you know when it is and be
  their next week and every week after

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Labs

• There are various practical exercises for you to
  carryout in the lab sessions
• You will need to spend some of your own time to
  complete the exercises
• Completing the exercises will be important for
  you to complete the HND project next year
• There will be one lab session on your timetable-
  find out when it takes place and make sure you
  are there next week.

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Access

• We will use Access in the Labs
• You may have used it previously but we will
  expect you to use it in a different way
• If you have not used Access before discuss with
  your lab tutor how you can develop some Access
  skills

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Access continued

• Access is available on nearly all PCs- you can
  use any free PC if you need to work after lessons
• You may have access on your own PC. You can
  continue to work at home if you wish but this is
  not in place of attending your timetabled session

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Assessment

• Coursework makes up 70 of the module marks
• This is made up of tests and small assignments
  throughout the year, some are assessed in class
  so you need to be there.
• There will be a project for you to complete at
  the end of the module
• The module schedule show when assignments are
  given out and when they are handed in and how.
• There are severe penalties for late work and
  copying

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Assessment continued

• An Exam makes up the remaining 30 of the module
  marks
• This will be in May, more about this later
• You need to achieve an overall mark of 40 for
  the module to Pass- you cannot continue the
  course without passing this module.
• The easiest way to pass this module is to turn up
  for all your classes and complete the work
  (yourself)

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Resources

• Lecture notes will be provided for each lecture.
  These will have gaps for you to fill in during
  the lecture.
• References will be given at the end of lectures
  etc. These are where you can find additional
  information on the topic covered.You should find
  books in the library
• You may need to refer to them from time to time-
  You do not need to buy them

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• Tutorial and lab exercises will be supplied as
  workbooks. You will need to complete these-
  including the self study sections
• Blackboard is a web based system for you to
  obtain information about the module. This will be
  created later in the year specifically for
  revison. It is not a substitute for attending
  classes

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Text book

• You should buy the following book
• Databases Demystified
• by Andy Oppel
• published by McGraw hill
• ISBN 0-07-225364-9
• Cost 12.99

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Getting the book

• The book is available in the university bookshop
• Amazon.co.uk can supply it (but postage costs
  may make it more expensive)
• Any bookshop can order the book for you (if the
  dont have it in stock- you need to give them the
  title,author, publisher and ISBN).
• There are no tutorials and labs this week to give
  you time to get the book.

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Module content

• Database theory (covered in lectures only)
• Database modelling
• Report and form design
• Database implementation
• Testing
• SQL

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Tasks for this week

• Get text book
• Identify where and when tutorials and labs take
  place.
• Go to the library and find out where the database
  books are- join the library.
• Make sure you have a password and user id for
  your lab session ( see your personal tutor if you
  are not sure)
• If you have not used Access before make a note to
  discuss it in your first lab session

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On a scale of 1 5please indicate

• How confident you are with
• a) MS Access
• b) ORACLE
• c) UNIX
• d) SQL (Structured Query Language)
• e) ERD (Entity Relationship Diagrams)
• f) Normalisation of database tables