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ITEC 870: Advanced Database Applications Development

Semester 2, 2011

Faculty: Science; Department: Computing

General Information

Credit points: 4
Convenor: Sekher Seshadri
Prerequisites:

Students should read this unit guide carefully at the start of semester. It contains important information about the unit. If anything in it is unclear, please consult one of the teaching staff in the unit.

About This Unit

Description

This unit will focus on the activities, issues and techniques involved in developing database applications. This subject will cover three major phases of software development process for database applications: analysis, design and implementation. The analysis and design topics will concentrate on various methods and techniques of software requirements elicitation, specifications and management. Implementation section will introduce RDBMS vendors' specific features as found in Oracle PL/SQL and Microsoft T-SQL.

Teaching Staff

Role Name Email Room Office hours
Convener, Lecturer Sekher Seshadri sekher.seshadri@mq.edu.au --- By appointment

All emails related to this unit should contain ITEC 870 in the subject and must include your full name and your student id number.

Teaching and Learning

Classes

Each week you should attend two to three hours of lectures, and one hour of practical. For details of day, time and room consult the timetables webpage.

Note that Practicals commence in week 2. Though attendance is not compulsory, please note it is to your benefit to attend the lecture and lab/practicals sessions

Resources to assist your learning

iLecture

Digital recordings of lectures are available, can be accessed from the Unit website at iLearn. Read these instructions for details.

Textbook

The textbook for ITEC870 used this semester is:

  • Connolly, Thomas and Begg, Carolyn
    Database Systems - A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation and Management 5th Ed.
    Pearson Educational International

  • There is also a companion website by the publisher at www.pearsoned.com.au. This site contains links to example material and more.

    • The following are supportive (i.e. recommended) readings for the course (across the 13 weeks).

    Unit material

    Material for the unit can be found at http://learn.mq.edu.au.

    Technology

    Oracle database and Microsoft SQL Server will be used to show examples of implementation of database concepts. PowerDesigner will be used for data modelling

    Websites

    The web page for this unit can be found at http://www.comp.mq.edu.au/units/ITEC870/

    Discussion Boards

    The unit makes use of discussion boards hosted within iLearn. Please post questions there, they are monitored by the staff on the unit.

    Staff-Student Liaison Committee

    The Department has established a Staff-Student Liaison Committee at each level to provide all students studying a Computing unit the opportunity to discuss related issues or problems with both students and staff.

    The committee meets two times during the semester. For each meeting, an agenda is issued and minutes are taken. These are posted on the web at http://www.comp.mq.edu.au/postgrad/

    You may contact Dr. Peter Busch, Postrgaduate Program Director. If you have exhausted all other avenues, then you should consult the Director of Teaching (Dr. Christophe Doche) or the Head of Department (Assoc. Prof. Bernard Mans). You are entitled to have your concerns raised, discussed and resolved.

    Student Support Services

    Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au.

    Assumed knowledge

    This is reflected in the prerequisites for ITEC870.

    Topic List

    Week Lecture Topic Text Lab Work

    1

    Introduction to Databases and Relational Model; Relational Algebra

    •  Connolly & Begg
    chapters 1, 2, 4, 5;

    		No Lab

    2

    Relational Model - Normalisation techniques; Introduction to SQL

    •  Connolly & Begg
    chapters 14, 6, 7;

    		Oracle, MS SQL-
    Practice SQL commands

    3

    Database Analysis and Design Techniques; ER Model; Conceptual Database Design

    •  Connolly & Begg
    chapters 11, 12, 13, 16;

    		Data modelling with PowerDesigner

    4

    Database Design Methodology; Logical Database Design

    •  Connolly & Begg
    chapter 17;

    		Data modelling with PowerDesigner

    5

    Database Design Methodology: Physical Database Design; Monitoring and Tuning Operational System

    •  Connolly & Begg
    chapters 18, 19;

    		Data modelling, Physical database design

    6

    Database Security, Administration;
    Transaction Management

    •  Connolly & Begg
    chapters 20, 22;

    		Transaction management

    7

    Mobile Databases and Data Replication

    •  Connolly & Begg
    chapters 26;

    		Data Replication samples

    8

    Procedural Extension to SQL:
    Oracle PL/SQL and Microsoft T-SQL

    •  Lecture notes, samples.
    Refererence material at Oracle, MS SQL sites;

    		PL/SQL and T-SQL Programming

    9

    Functions, Procedures, Triggers:
    Oracle PL/SQL and Microsoft T-SQL

    •  Lecture notes, samples.
    Reference material at Oracle, MS SQL sites;

    		PL/SQL and T-SQL Programming

    10

    Web Technology and DBMS;
    Semi-structured Data and XML

    •  Connolly & Begg
    chapters 30, 31;

    		PL/SQL and T-SQL Programming

    11

    Hot topics in Databases: VLDB;
    Non-relational databases for Cloud Computing

    •  Lecture notes; Technical papers;

    		No Lab

    12

    Query Processing, Optimisation, Indexes

    •  Connolly & Begg
    chapter 23, Appendix C;

    		Query plans, optimisation techniques

    13

    (Optional) Students's presentation on related topics;
    Revision for final examination

    •  Class discussion;

    		No Lab

    Teaching and Learning Strategy

    ITEC870 is taught via post-graduate style lectures. Practical sessions in the laboratory are aimed to give the students hands-on experience in topics covered each week.

    Lectures are used to introduce new material, give examples of the use of programming methods and techniques and put them in a wider context. Furthermore, to reinforce the nexus between theory and practice, the lecturer will share information based on his experience and industry practices.

    You learn by processing concepts, not just by hearing them. Laboratories would give you the opportunity to do exactly that by interacting with the lecturer who has a sound knowledge of the subject and with your peers. This also gives you a chance to practice your programming skills.

    You have many opportunities to seek for and to receive feedback. During lectures, you are encouraged to ask the lecturer questions to clarify anything you might not be sure of. Sample solutions to weekly lab exercises will be provided which may help you to understand the material in the unit, prepare you for the work in assignments as well as for the final exam. It is important that you keep up with the course work every week. Assignments have been especially designed to deliver continuous feedback on your work.

    Each week you should:

    • Attend lectures, take notes, ask questions
    • Complete your practicals, seek help from the lecturer during lab sessions
    • Read assigned reading material, add to your notes and prepare questions for your lecturer
    • Start working on any assignments immediately after they have been released.

    Lecture notes are made available each week but these notes are intended as an outline of the lecture only and are not a substitute for your own notes or reading additional material.

    Learning outcomes

    It is expected that on completion of this unit/topic, students will have:
    1. Understand the concepts underpinning the relational database model
      • Learn the terminologies, data integrity rules that are integral to relational model which is the most popular and widely used data model at present.
      • Understand normalisation techniques and appreciate its importance
      • Learn to manipulate data stored in relational database using SQL
    2. Develop Conceptual, logical and physical database model using UML
      • Appreciate the range of techniques and tools available to elicit, analyse, document, and manage the user requirements for database applications.
      • Learn how to carefully analyse the business needs and efficient perform various modelling tasks to develop appropriate design that meets the requirements.
    3. Understand the concepts of database design and implementation
      • Able to analyse, design and implement database applications on a commercial database system such as Oracle or MS SQL Server
      • Learn concepts such as triggers, stored procedures, functions and other extensions to standard SQL, supported by database systems
      • Develop appreciation on wide range of database issues such as security, concurrency control, transaction management, query processing and optimisation
      • Learn about monitoring and maintaining satisfactory performance of operational systems
    4. Able to appreciate the following 'hot topics' in databases
      • Data replication for disaster recovery and mobile computing
      • Support for very large data volume
      • Databases for Web applications and storage of semi-structred data

      See the different standards corresponding to these learning outcomes.

      Graduate Capabilities

      All academic programs at Macquarie University seek to develop a range of graduate capabilities. One of the aims of this unit is that students develop their skills in the following:

      • Discipline Specific Knowledge and skills
      • Effective Communication
      • Problem Solving and Research Capability
      • Creativity and Innovativity
      • Commitment to Continuous Learning

      Assessment

      The new assessment policy and the associated code of practice imply the use of standards based assessment. In this context, the learning outcomes are aligned with the assessment tasks and the performance of each student is evaluated according to different standards.

      Assessment tasks

      The following tables summarizes the different aspects of the assessment in this unit. In particular, it links each task to the learning outcomes of the unit.

      Task Due Date Workload Feedback LO assessed Weight
      Assignment 1 (Individual) Week 5 8 hrs Within 2 weeks LO1 15%
      Assignment 2 (Individual) Week 8 8 hrs Within 2 weeks LO2 15%
      Assignment 3 (Individual) Week 11 8 hrs Within 2 weeks LO3 15%
      Final examination ## November N/A Exam result All 55%

      Note that a certain number of requirements must be fulfilled in order to pass this unit.
      If you cannot complete a piece of work please see the convenor before the due date. Check also the special consideration policy.
      A more detailed description of each task is given below.

      Assessment tasks explained

      As the table above indicates, their will be 4 assessment tasks.

      • Three individual assignments.
      • One final examination.

      Your final grade will depend on your performance in each part separately. In particular:

      • You must perform satisfactorily in the examination in order to pass this unit.
      • You must submit a reasonable attempt to the three assignments to pass this unit.

      All assignments should be handed in via the online Learning system at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ by the time specified in the assignment description.

      All work submitted should be readable and well presented.

      Late work will be accepted with a penalty of 10% of the marks for the assignment per day submitted late. Hence, an assignment submitted two days late will get at most 80% of the marks. If you cannot submit on time because of illness or other circumstances, please contact the lecturer before the due date.

      Final Examination

      For this unit, a final examination is fully appropriate to test learning and knowledge of all learning outcomes. In particular, it allows for accurate reflection of the degree of understanding of learning outcomes LO1, LO2 and LO3.

      The final examination accounts for 55% of the final mark. All sections of the unit are equally weighted.


      Regarding the examination process, note that

      • you must attend all required classes and submit all required assessment, otherwise the Executive Dean of the Faculty or delegated authority has the power to refuse permission to attend the final examination
      • the University Examination period for Term-2 2011 is from mid to end November 2011
      • you are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable
      • the timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of examinations
      • no early examinations for individuals or groups of students will be set. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, that is the final day of the official examination period
      • the only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration.

      Standards

      Four standards, namely HD, D, CR, P summarize as many different levels of achievement. Each standard is precisely defined to help students know what kind of performance is expected to deserve a certain mark. The standards corresponding to the learning outcomes of this unit are given below:

      Grade LO 1 LO 2 LO 3
        relational data model-concepts, terminology, data access using SQL data modelling-conceptual, logical and physical database design application design and implementation
      HD Show breadth and depth of understanding of relational model and relational database design. Demonstrate clear understanding of data manipulation techniques. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of data modelling techniques and ablility to apply them to develop a concise and comprehensive model to meet all of the business requirements Demonstrate high level of programming skills to develop and implement database applications by making use of extensions to SQL supported by DBMS.
      D Show sound understanding across many of the topics in relational model. Demonstrate sound understanding of data manipulation techniques. Demonstrate sound understanding of data modelling techniques and ability to apply them to develop data model to meet most of the business requirements. Demonstrate sound understanding of skills required to develop and implement database applications by making use of extensions to SQL supported by DBMS.
      CR Show fundamental understanding of topics in relation model as discussed in class lectures. Understand some aspects of data modelling tecniques and able to apply them to develop data model to meet many of the busienss requirements. Demonstrate sufficient skills to develop and implement database applications without any major errors or omissions.
      P Can reproduce definitions and ideas, show some understanding of the topics in relational model Can reproduce some defintions and ideas of data modelling techniques and develop basic database model Demonstrate limited skills to develop and implement database applications.

      Grading

      At the end of the semester, you will receive a grade that reflects your achievement in the unit

      • Fail (F): does not provide evidence of attainment of all learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; and incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.
      • Pass (P): provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; and communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.
      • Credit (Cr): provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; plus communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline.
      • Distinction (D): provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.
      • High Distinction (HD): provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application.

      In this unit, your final grade depends on your performance in each part of the assessment. For each task, you receive a mark that combines your standard of performance regarding each learning outcome assessed by this task. Then the different component marks are added up to determine your total mark out of 100. Your grade then depends on this total mark and your overall standards of performance.

      In particular, in order to pass the unit, you must

      • Have satisfactory performance for Assignment 1, Assignment 2 and Assignment 3.
      • Have satisfactory performance in the final examination.

      This means that you will fail the unit if you do not submit satisfactory submissions for the assignments and/or do not perform satisfactorily in the exam.

      Obtaining a grade higher than a Pass (P) in this unit will require a student to obtain (in addition to the above):

      • the required total number of marks (Credit - 65, Distinction - 75, High Distinction - 85).

      Administration

      Macquarie is developing a number of policies in the area of learning and teaching. Approved policies and associated guidelines can be found at Policy Central. Refer to the Science Centre regarding the implementation of these policies (e.g. precise procedures, forms, deadlines, etc).

      Special Consideration

      Special Consideration is intended for a student who is prevented by serious and unavoidable disruption from completing any unit requirements in accordance with their ability. This application form needs to be filled and submitted to the Science centre along with some evidence to support your case. Depending on the circumstances presented, the convenor may choose to give you an alternate assessment, additional time for an assessment, make-up exam, etc.
      If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period. For details of the Special Consideration policy specific to the Department of Computing, see the Department's policy page.

      Grade Appeal

      In case of problems arising with your final grade, the first step is to organise a review. The Department recommends that you request an appointment with the convenor of the unit in order to review your grade. If the review does not solve the problem, a formal Grade Appeal can be lodged. See the grade appeal policy.

      Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

      Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one's own. The Department, in line with University policy, treats all cases seriously. In particular, the Department, keeps a record of all plagiarism cases. This record is referred to so that an appropriate penalty can be applied to each case.
      For concrete examples, see this page.