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Database Systems & Information Modelling (INFO90002)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 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
Summer Term
David Eccles
Semester 1
David Eccles
Semester 2
David Eccles
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Summer Term Semester 1 Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
The subject introduces key topics in modern information organisation, particularly with regard to structured databases. The well-founded relational theory behind modern structured query language (SQL) engines, has given them as much a place behind the web site of an organisation and on the desktop, as they traditionally enjoyed on corporate mainframes. Topics covered may include: the managerial view of data, information and knowledge; conceptual, logical and physical data modelling; normalisation and de-normalisation; the SQL language; data integrity; transaction processing, data warehousing, web services and organisational memory technologies. This is a core foundation subject for both the Master of Information Systems and Master of Information Technology.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This subject serves as an introduction to databases and data modelling from a data management perspective. Database design, from conceptual design through to physical implementation will be covered. This will include Entity Relationship modelling, normalisation and de-normalisation and SQL. Additionally the use of databases in various contexts will be explored (web based databases, connecting programs to databases, data warehousing, health contexts, geospatial databases).
Intended learning outcomes
Having completed this unit the student is expected to:
- Understand the different technologies available to manage structured data, and the evolutionary process that led to them
- Be able to construct data models at the conceptual, logical and physical level from real-world, natural language requirements documents and apply data normalisation to these models
- Be able to competently use a CASE tool (computer-aided software engineering)
- Be competent in basic SQL and familiar with the usage of advanced SQL commands
- Understand the need and mechanism for database transactions, including the so-called ACID properties
- Be familiar with how databases work within a larger application architecture
- Understand the relationship of database systems to a variety of fields such as data warehousing, health informatics and Geospatial applications
- Through the combination of seminars, labs and assignments, students gain expertise and confidence to make informed decisions about database systems and appropriate modelling techniques for the structured informational needs of modern organisations. They will gain considerable hands-on experience in modelling a number of diverse informational situations, drawing upon the first principles and techniques taught, useful to both organisations and individuals
Generic skills
The student will acquire skills in Information Modelling - a generic skill that will serve the student well throughout a career in Information Systems. Scoping within analysis is also a valuable cross-discipline skill honed during this subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
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: 3 November 2022
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 |
---|---|---|
One team based database design project (20%) with 2-3 team members, comprising of a database design and a data dictionary equivalent to approximately 3000 words, due mid semester, requiring approximately 26-30 hours of work per student. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO's) 1 to 3 are addressed in the database design and data dictionary.
| Mid semester | 20% |
One set of SQL answers to a series of questions run against a known database with fixed data content (10%) of approximately 1000 words due in week 9-10, requiring approximately 13-15 hours of work. ILO 4 is addressed in the assignment.
| From Week 9 to Week 10 | 10% |
One written 3 hour closed book end of semester examination (70%). ILO's 1 to 2 and 4 to 7 are addressed in the examination. The examination is a hurdle and must be passed to pass the subject.
| End of semester | 70% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Summer Term
Principal coordinator David Eccles Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 6 hours per week, comprising of two 2 hour lectures and two 1 hour tutorials Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 6 January 2020 to 23 February 2020 Last self-enrol date 15 January 2020 Census date 14 February 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 February 2020 Assessment period ends 2 March 2020 Summer Term contact information
David Eccles
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator David Eccles Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours per week, comprising of one 2 hour seminar and one 1 hour tutorial Total time commitment 200 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
David Eccles
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator David Eccles Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours per week, comprising of one 2 hour seminar and one 1 hour tutorial Total time commitment 200 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 Semester 2 contact information
David Eccles
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no prescribed texts for this subject.
Recommended texts and other resources
Hoffer et al. “Modern Database Management” – 9th , 10th , 12th or 12th edition.
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject is delivered in 3 hour classes. Each class will be made up of a combination of lectures, discussions and computer laboratory based learning. Outside class, students will study the practice of database implementation and usage and are encouraged to install and use a DBMS on their own computer as part of the course.
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 Course Graduate Diploma in Biostatistics Course Master of Data Science Course Master of Biostatistics Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Specialisation (formal) Spatial Specialisation (formal) Computing Specialisation (formal) Distributed Computing - 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: 3 November 2022