SOFTENG 351 : Fundamentals of Database Systems
Engineering
2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Databases form the core of most modern software applications. In this course, you will gain a solid understanding of database systems, equipping you with the skills to develop effective and efficient database applications. The course is divided into two parts: the first part focuses on database application design and usage, while the second part delves into the fundamental concepts and algorithms of a database management system, and provides an in-depth exploration of how database systems function in today's dynamic environment.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
Learning Outcomes
- Understand and describe the basic concepts and structures of how databases and database systems work. (Capability 3.2, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Demonstrate and apply conceptual data modelling techniques for a database design. (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Understand and apply the relational data model and the conversion of conceptual data models into relational databases. (Capability 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Understand and apply the Structure Query Language (SQL) to develop a practical database solution in line with its usage. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Understand and apply theoretical database knowledge such as relational algebra, functional dependencies and normalisation. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Understand and critically evaluate quality aspects of database design in terms of functional dependencies and associated normal forms. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Understand and explain the key implementation techniques of database management systems, such as file storage, data retrieval and indexing, etc. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Develop an understanding of the key concurrency techniques of database management systems, such transaction processing, recovery, serializability, etc. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Develop an understanding of the advanced data models and modern query languages. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1)
- Understand and describe modern distributed database systems and their applications. (Capability 2.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.1 and 7.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| Laboratories | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Term Test | 15% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 45% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Laboratories | ||||||||||
| Term Test | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For each week in this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials/labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
- Fundamentals of Database Systems, 7th Edition, by Ramez Elmasri and Shamkant B. Navathe, Pearson Publisher.
- Designing Data-Intensive Applications, by Martin Kleppmann, O'Reilly Media, Inc. Publisher.
Health & Safety
Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Other Information
Students must obtain a pass in both the Practical (labs + assignments) and Theory (test + exam) components in order to pass the course as a whole.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.