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Database Systems & Information Modelling (INFO90002)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville) and On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Tanya Linden
Semester 2
Tanya Linden
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery Semester 2 - On Campus |
|---|---|
| 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
- Synthesize the theoretical first principles of data management, data normalisation and data modelling and apply those principles to the data needs of modern organizations.
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: 12 September 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| INFO20003 | Database Systems |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (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: 12 September 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
One team based database design assignment (20%) with 3-4 team members, comprising of a database design and a data dictionary equivalent to approximately 3000 words, released week 2 and due in week 6, 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.
| Week 6 | 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, released in week 6 and due in week 9, requiring approximately 13-15 hours of work. ILO 4 is addressed in the assignment.
| Week 9 | 10% |
LMS timed quiz in weeks 6 and 12 each worth 10% (20%).
| From Week 6 to Week 12 | 20% |
One written 2 hour end of semester examination (50%). ILO's 1 to 2 and 4 to 7 are addressed in the examination.
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 12 September 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery
Principal coordinator Tanya Linden Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours per week, comprising of one 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 23 June 2023 Semester 1 contact information
Tanya Linden
- Semester 2 - On Campus
Principal coordinator Tanya Linden Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours per week, comprising of one 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 Semester 2 contact information
Tanya Linden
Time commitment details
200 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
- Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.
Last updated: 12 September 2023
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 Philosophy - Engineering Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Biostatistics 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: 12 September 2023