Relational Databases COMP6240

Course overview

Assumed knowledge & required skills

COMP1100 or COMP1710 or INFS1001 or COMP1130

Course description

This course is an introduction to relational databases and the general skills for designing and using them. The topics include the relational data model, SQL, entity-relationship model, functional dependencies,(de-)normalisation, relational algebra, query processing and optimisation, database transactions and security. To deepen the understanding of relational databases, the current industry development of database systems such as NoSQL databases will be introduced at the end of this course.

Rationale

Information systems depend materially on the integrity and maintainability of appropriately defined data stores. Principles arising from the well-based theory underlying the relational data model have widespread relevance and applicability to databases in general. The practical implications of these principles are explored in this course, both as a method of reinforcing understanding of the concepts and as intrinsically useful skills.

Textbooks

Database systems: models, languages, design, and application programming, 6th edition, R. Elmasri and S. Navathe, Pearson, 2011

Workload

33 one-hour lectures and 7 two-hour laboratory sessions