Computer Science, Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth University of Wales

CS10610 (1995-96 session)
Databases

Brief Description

Aims, Objectives, Syllabus, Booklist

Further Details

Number of lectures

24

Number of seminars/tutorials

0

Number of practicals

10 x 2 hours

Coordinator

Dr. John Hunt

Other staff involved

Not yet known

Pre-requisites

A general knowledge of and experience with microcomputers, user filesystems and a graphical user interface.

Co-requisites

None

Incompatibilities

Not available to students who have A-level Computing (or equivalent). CS11010

Assessment

Assessed coursework - 50%
Written exam - 50%
To pass the module, both components must be passed.
There will be two practical assignments, and students will be required to keep a practical file. The best two of these three pieces of work will provide the coursework assessment.

Timing

This module is offered only in Semester 1

This module provides an introduction to the use of a relational database management system so that:

• students will be able to construct and use simple databases from (appropriate) material they encounter elsewhere in their studies
• students will get an appreciation of the ideas that lie behind the relational database paradigm

The philosophy of the course will be to provide students with a tool that they can use elsewhere in their studies. The practicals will be based on the microcomputer package Microsoft Access.

Objectives

On successful completion of this module, students should:

• be able to set up, interrogate, and produce well-designed forms and reports from, a single-table database;
• have an understanding of the reasons for using a multi-table database, and the issues involved in designing one;
• be able to set up and use a simple multi-table database, and know when to seek further assistance.

Introduction - 2 Lectures

The idea of a database; a simple and a more complex example; records; fields; objects.

Tables and forms - 7 Lectures, 2 Practicals

The views of a table; field data types, properties; validation; indexes; Access form wizards; varieties of form available; the views of a form; controls; tab order; visual design; validation; indexing and primary keys; forms for data entry.

Interrogating a Database - 4 Lectures, 2 Practicals

Simple search; wildcards; filters and (select) queries; crosstab queries.

Reports - 3 Lectures, 1 Practical

Access report wizards; varieties of report; the views of a report; controls.

Multi-table databases - 8 Lectures, 3 Practicals

Data redundancy, inconsistencies and anomalies; Entity-Relationship modeling; entities, attributes, relationships; many-to-many relationships; Domain Key Normal form; elementary SQL; implementation in Access; improving and modifying a database.

Debriefing -

Some lecture time each week will be devoted to a debriefing on the previous practical. Two of the practical sessions will be allocated to work on the assignments, but students should expect to have to spend further time on their assignments.

Students are likely to need ready access to the following

John L. Viescas. Running Mircrosoft Access. Microsoft Press.

David M Kroenke. Database Processing - Fundamentals, Design, and Implementation. Prentice Hall International Editions, 5th. edition, 1995. ISBN 0-13-320128-7.

Version 1.4

John Hunt Departmental Advisor