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Database Systems (INFO20003)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Oscar Correa Guerrero
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
Contemporary online services such as social networking and multimedia-sharing sites, massive multiplayer online games and commerce services have database management systems at their back-end. In this subject, students will obtain a deep understanding of the concepts behind database management systems. In particular, the students will become familiar with the database system architecture, and will exercise the concepts such as query processing and optimisation, database tuning and transactions, which are the foundation of any modern data processing application. This subject is core within the Bachelor of Science for the Major of Computing and Software Systems and the Major of Informatics. Students completing the Diploma of Informatics are also required to undertake this subject.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This subject serves as an introduction to data modelling and databases from a technical and data management perspective. The subject will include Entity Relationship modelling (from conceptual design to physical modelling), normalisation, de-normalisation, relational model and relational algebra, SQL, query processing and query optimisation, transactions, storage organisation, database administration, data warehousing and big data analytics. Other topics in data management and DBMS technology with an overview of modern NoSQL systems may also be included.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in solving practical data-modelling tasks
- Use SQL to interact with a relational database
- Understand internal mechanisms and policies behind database systems
- Understand the need for database transactions, and use them
- Profile and tune business analytics queries, and administer database systems. Through the combination of lectures, workshops and assignments, students will gain considerable hands-on experience in: i) modelling a number of diverse informational situations, useful to both organisations and individuals, ii) writing efficient SQL queries to analyse data
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students, should have developed the following generic skills:
- The ability to analyse and solve problems involving large amounts of real-world data
- The ability to synthesise information and communicate results effectively
- The capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection
- The ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
- The ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
Last updated: 22 November 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of the following:
INFO10002 Informatics 2: Programming on the Web
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP10001 | Foundations of Computing |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP20005 | Engineering Computation |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP10002 | Foundations of Algorithms |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP10003 | Media Computation | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
VCE Algorithmics units 3/4
OR
Achieving 75% in the programming competency test.
or Admission to the Me-(Software) OR ME-(Software/business) program.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students cannot enrol in and gain credit for this subject and:
INFO20001 Informatics 3: Content Management
SINF90001 Database Systems & Information Modelling
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| INFO90002 | Database Systems & Information Modelling |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 22 November 2023
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Three small, practical, database-related assignments (10% each; total 30%) completed individually, equivalent 4000 words, due in week 5, week 7-8 and week 11. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO's) 1, 2 and 3 are addressed in the assignments.
| Throughout the teaching period | 30% |
One written, 3 hour closed-book examination. ILO's 1 to 5 are addressed in the final examination.
| During the examination period | 70% |
Additional details
Last updated: 22 November 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Oscar Correa Guerrero Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours, comprising of two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour workshop per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Oscar Correa Guerrero
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Renata Borovica-Gajic Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours, comprising of two 1 hour lectures and one 2 hour workshop per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 22 November 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
- Subject notes
Learning and Teaching Methods
The subject will be delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops. Students will also complete an assignment which will reinforce the material covered in class.
Indicative Key Learning Resources
Whilst there is no single text for this subject, students would be encouraged to utilize one of the many Database textbooks available, there are a number of these in the Library. Additional readings will be made available as necessary via the LMS.
Careers/Industry Links
This subject is one of the building blocks for most careers in IT. A database makes the management of information possible and is one of the most prominently used technologies within all organisations.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects Major Spatial Systems Major Computer Science Specialisation (formal) Software with Business Specialisation (formal) Spatial Specialisation (formal) Software - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 22 November 2023