Database Systems

COMP23111 Database Systems 10 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 2 Thomas Carroll Unit coordinator Department of Computer Science 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Middle part of Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 Databases are foundational, though often unseen, components of modern computing architectures, playing a critical role in both commercial and scientific contexts. Over time, data management has evolved from fragmented, application-specific file systems to organization-wide strategies that recognize data as a vital asset. In today’s competitive landscape, the ability to manage, analyse, and utilize data effectively is a key factor in organisational success.At the heart of this transformation are database management systems (DBMSs), which serve as the essential software infrastructure for managing data with reliability, consistency, and efficiency. Modern DBMSs are highly sophisticated, embodying advances in areas such as algorithms and data structures, programming language theory, conceptual modelling, concurrency control, and distributed computing. These systems are designed to support a wide range of applications, from transactional systems to data analytics, while ensuring security, scalability, and performance.This course explores databases as a unifying, data-centric traversal of many of the most exciting topics in modern computing. Students will learn the principles and techniques that underpin the design, implementation, and management of databases, with a particular focus on the relational model, SQL, and database normalization. They will also explore the integration of databases with web and other front-end systems, gaining practical experience in building database-driven applications.In addition, the course examines advanced topics such as transaction management, database security, and alternative database paradigms like NoSQL systems. By combining theory with hands-on practice, students will develop the skills needed to design robust databases, write advanced queries, and apply database technologies to solve real-world problems effectively.  Databases are foundational, though often unseen, components of modern computing architectures, playing a critical role in both commercial and scientific contexts. Over time, data management has evolved from fragmented, application-specific file systems to organization-wide strategies that recognize data as a vital asset. In today’s competitive landscape, the ability to manage, analyse, and utilize data effectively is a key factor in organisational success.At the heart of this transformation are database management systems (DBMSs), which serve as the essential software infrastructure for managing data with reliability, consistency, and efficiency. Modern DBMSs are highly sophisticated, embodying advances in areas such as algorithms and data structures, programming language theory, conceptual modelling, concurrency control, and distributed computing. These systems are designed to support a wide range of applications, from transactional systems to data analytics, while ensuring security, scalability, and performance.This course explores databases as a unifying, data-centric traversal of many of the most exciting topics in modern computing. Students will learn the principles and techniques that underpin the design, implementation, and management of databases, with a particular focus on the relational model, SQL, and database normalization. They will also explore the integration of databases with web and other front-end systems, gaining practical experience in building database-driven applications.In addition, the course examines advanced topics such as transaction management, database security, and alternative database paradigms like NoSQL systems. By combining theory with hands-on practice, students will develop the skills needed to design robust databases, write advanced queries, and apply database technologies to solve real-world problems effectively.  <span class="TextRun SCXW191664252 BCX0 NormalTextRun" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-user-drag:none;font-family:Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:none !important;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:18.3458px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;user-select:text;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-GB" lang="EN-GB">This course provides a comprehensive exploration of databases, emphasising their pivotal role in modern computing and data management. Students will learn the principles of database design, implementation, and management, with a focus on the relational model, SQL, and normalisation. The curriculum also covers database integration with web and front-end systems, transaction management, security, and emerging paradigms like NoSQL. By blending theory with hands-on practice, students will develop essential skills in designing robust databases, writing advanced queries, and leveraging database technologies for real-world applications.<span class="EOP SCXW191664252 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-user-drag:none;font-family:Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:18.3458px;margin:0px;orphans:2;padding:0px;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;user-select:text;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" data-ccp-props="{"335559738":60,"335559739":60}">  ILO 1: Demonstrate the ability to discuss, explain, and apply the foundational principles of database design, including conceptual modelling and key design trade-offs.ILO 2: Be able to design and implement a front end, using appropriate technologies, that allows users to execute CRUD operations as well as displaying data in a meaningful way.ILO 3: Be able to discuss and explain the basic mechanisms to enforce database security, through an understanding of the threats and countermeasures available in classical database management systems.ILO 4: Explore, and describe the characteristics, use cases, and trade-offs of NoSQL databases, including their differences from relational databases and their applicability to specific types of applications.ILO 5: Design, implement, and execute SQL and NoSQL queries ranging from basic data retrieval and manipulation to complex operations involving joins, subqueries, aggregation, and advanced features.ILO 6: Analyse and apply the relational model, including deriving relational schemas from conceptual designs, normalising schemas to various normal forms, and evaluating their effectiveness in meeting design goals. Analytical skills Innovation/creativity Project management Problem solving Introduction to Data Management [1 workshop plus laboratory work] (E)ER Modelling [1 workshop plus laboratory work] Functional Dependencies & Normalisation [1 workshop plus laboratory work] Basic SQL + Stored Procedures & Triggers (Adv SQL) [1 workshop plus laboratory work] Web Programming [1 workshop plus laboratory work] Transaction Processing [1 workshop plus laboratory work] Application Integration [1 workshop plus laboratory work] NoSQL Introduction & Design [1 workshop plus laboratory work]  More NoSQL + Data Mining & Warehousing [1 workshop plus laboratory work] NoSQL in CouchBase [1 workshop plus laboratory work]   Workshops [10 in total] Videos [various each week] Drop-In Laboratory Session [1 per week] Lectures [3 in total] Formative Quizzes [1 per week] Additional Reading 1 Written exam 70% 8 Practical skills assessment 30% Workshops, Drop-In Labs, Discussion Boards, Formal through CourseworkAssessment — Exam: 2 hoursLecture: 3 hoursAssessment — Coursework: 15 hoursWorkshop: 22 hoursIndependent Study: 58 hours  Available as free choice but students must contact unit lead before choosing. Y <ol><li>Connolly, Thomas. (2015). Database Systems. Pearson Education UK. ISBN:<a href="https://www.librarysearch.manchester.ac.uk/discovery/search?query=isbn,contains,9781292061832&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&sortby=rank&vid=44MAN_INST:MU_NUI&lang=en&mode=advanced&offset=0" target="_blank"> 9781292061832</a>  </li><li>Haan, Lex de. author. (2010). Beginning Oracle SQL. Apress. ISBN:<a href="https://www.librarysearch.manchester.ac.uk/discovery/search?query=isbn,contains,9781430271963&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&sortby=rank&vid=44MAN_INST:MU_NUI&lang=en&mode=advanced&offset=0" target="_blank"> 9781430271963</a>  </li><li>Elmasri, Ramez, author. (2017). Fundamentals of database systems. Pearson. ISBN:<a href="https://www.librarysearch.manchester.ac.uk/discovery/search?query=isbn,contains,1292097620&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&sortby=rank&vid=44MAN_INST:MU_NUI&lang=en&mode=advanced&offset=0" target="_blank"> 1292097620</a>  </li><li>Garcia-Molina, Hector, author. (2014). Database systems: the complete book. Pearson. ISBN:<a href="https://www.librarysearch.manchester.ac.uk/discovery/search?query=isbn,contains,9781292024479&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&sortby=rank&vid=44MAN_INST:MU_NUI&lang=en&mode=advanced&offset=0" target="_blank"> 9781292024479</a>  </li><li>Kifer, M. (Michael), 1954-. (2005). Database systems: an application-oriented approach. Pearson/Addison Wesley. ISBN:<a href="https://www.librarysearch.manchester.ac.uk/discovery/search?query=isbn,contains,0321228383&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&sortby=rank&vid=44MAN_INST:MU_NUI&lang=en&mode=advanced&offset=0" target="_blank"> 0321228383</a>  </li><li>Morton, Karen. author. (2013). Pro Oracle SQL. Apress. ISBN:<a href="https://www.librarysearch.manchester.ac.uk/discovery/search?query=isbn,contains,9781430262213&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&sortby=rank&vid=44MAN_INST:MU_NUI&lang=en&mode=advanced&offset=0" target="_blank"> 9781430262213</a>  </li><li>Ramakrishnan, Raghu. (2003). Database management systems. McGraw-Hill. ISBN:<a href="https://www.librarysearch.manchester.ac.uk/discovery/search?query=isbn,contains,0071151109&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&sortby=rank&vid=44MAN_INST:MU_NUI&lang=en&mode=advanced&offset=0" target="_blank"> 0071151109 </a></li></ol> Assessment written exam 2 Lectures 3 Practical classes & workshops 22 Work based learning 15 0 58