Databases (G6031)

15 credits, Level 5

Autumn teaching

On this module, you’ll get an introduction to the concepts of database software, database design, management and programming. This includes:

  • conceptual database design using the entity-relationship approach
  • logical database design
  • physical database design.

The module focuses on the relational data model. You’ll learn to:

  • design and implement a relational database using Structured Query Language (SQL)
  • retrieve and manipulate data via SQL queries
  • normalise relational databases: normal forms, and the elimination of certain anomalies based on redundancy
  • tune database queries with security via permission rights and indexes
  • write stored procedures and triggers using procedural SQL
  • use Java Database Connectivity libraries (JDBC) to access databases in Java programs.


A series of examples helps you understand the theoretical principles. By implementing these examples in a database management system and a graphical query browser, you’ll gain practical experience.

Teaching

67%: Lecture
33%: Practical (Laboratory)

Assessment

100%: Coursework (Test)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 32 hours of contact time and about 118 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2023/24. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to COVID-19, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: