NCHNAL474 Database Design and Management I Course Descriptor

Course Summary

This course covers the underlying principles and concepts behind relational databases. Students will use the reporting language SQL to interrogate relational databases and design simple databases. SQL will be used for creating and accessing data tables, indexing, arithmetic operations, loops, arrays, multiple table processing, I/P operations, data-type conversions, and views. Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of relational databases using industry-standard cloud-based technology e.g. using ServiceNow training.

Course Aims

• Train students in the core concepts and techniques for manipulating relational databases.
• Give students the tools to code native SQL.
• Give students the opportunity to create various functions in SQL.
• Give students the opportunity to work on simulated work-based problems and use learned knowledge to solve these problems.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

This is an e-learning course, taught throughout the year.

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

• On-line learning
• On-line discussion groups
• On-line assessment

Course information and supplementary materials will be available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Students are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Students are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

● Learning and teaching (6 days x 8 hours) = 48 hours 

● Independent study = 102 hours 

Indicative total learning hours for this course: 150 hours

Assignments (see below) will be completed as part of private study.

Assessment

Formative

Students will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide students with developmental feedback. 

Summative

The summative assessment will be assessed in accordance with the assessment aims set out in the programme specification.

Feedback

Students will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Students will also attend a formal meeting with their Mentor. These reviews will monitor and evaluate the student’s progress.

Feedback is provided on summatively assessed assignments and through generic internal examiners’ reports, both of which are posted on the VLE.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books 

Casteel, J., (2015), Oracle 12C: SQL, Course Technology

Date, C. J., (2019), Database design and relational theory, Apress

Silberschatz, A. and Korth, H.F., (2019), Database System Concepts, MacGraw-Hill

Journals

Students are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on Database Design and SQL as directed by their Course Leader.

Electronic Resources

Students are encouraged to seek out websites that support Database Design and SQL.

Indicative Topics

• Database design
• SQL
• Data Structures