SA1153A

Module Code : SA1153A

Module Title : Contemporary Database Topics

Principal Domain : School of Computing and Creative Technologies Principal Division : Software Applications Weighting : 100%

Level : 11

SCQF Credits : 15

Status : Locked for Approval

Semester : Semester 2 Academic Session : 2009/10 Last Updated : 03/03/09 By Petra Leimich

Pre-requisites : SA0951A, or familiarity with RDBMS design and implementation Co-requisites :

Replaced Modules : IC507A SA1152A SA1152A Prohibited Combinations :

External Examiners :

Module Tutor : LEIMICH , PETRA

Brief Description

This module will build on practical DB skills by giving students (a) a deeper understanding of selected database issues and (b) knowledge of contemporary DB technologies such as GIS and Biometric

databases, with (c) detailed in-depth knowledge of one specific application area in a domain relevant to the student's background.

Aim

The aim of this Module is to provide the student with an in-depth knowledge of selected contemporary database technologies for data management and its applications.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to :

1. Critically evaluate the fundamental principles, concepts and techniques relevant to modern database technologies.

2. Apply critical evaluation, analysis and synthesis to a contemporary database technology. 3. Present the findings of individual scholarship effectively to peers, including the selection and organisation of relevant materials.

Indicative Content

1. Research and teaching skills

Identifying and defining a research area; finding suitable references; writing a proposal; referencing; avoiding Academic Deceit. Developing teaching materials and presenting them effectively. 2. Transaction Management

Methods for concurrent transaction processing; desirable properties in transactions. 3. Distributed Databases

Data allocation and replication over a network. User transparency issues in operations and software. Expanding transaction management, query optimisation, data allocation and replication for distributed systems.

http://cserv.abertay.ac.uk/modschem/modules/report13.cfm?pmod_uname=v510548&...15/04/2009

ACMEPage 2of 3

4. Physical Design and Database Performance Tuning

Objectives of query processing and optimisation. Execution plans and query optimisation, e.g. in Oracle. File organisation, heap and hash files, single and multi-level indexing methods. 5. Database Security

Threats and security needs, security measures using Oracle as an example. Common recovery techniques. Implications for distributed databases. 6. Contemporary Database Technology

Current trends - each student chooses a specialist topic to investigate, E.g. GIS, Biometric Databases, mobile databases etc. Working in small groups, students prepare an introduction to their subject area for their peers. Additionally, each student individually selects an aspect of their subject for in- depth study.

7. Geographical Information Systems

Spatial DBMS; extensions to data model and query language; application areas. 8. Biometric databases

physical and behavioural biometrics, data acquisition, pattern recognition and comparison algorithms for verification and identification, security issues. 9. Additional contemporary topics

Including, for example, Bio Databases, text mining, web mining, mobile databses, temporal databases, ontologies, XML, multimedia databases. 10. Legal issues, privacy and security

Including Data Protection Act, Database Privacy, ethical issues. Links to above topics.

Statement on Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Most classes are student-led: students introduce a contemporary DB technology to their peers through seminar/lectorial presentation and tutorial discussion. Students research a selected topic in depth which they select to reflect their interests - this is the basis of unit 2 and introduces students to postgraduate research methods which will also be applied in the masters proposal and project.

TIMETABLING: LECTORIALS: 1 hour lecture each week, but 2 hours in week 17 and no lecture in the last week. ROOM 3004. Additional lectorials may be scheduled around weeks 20 - 21 to cover specific transferable skills, e.g. presentation skills, tutorial participation. LAB: 1 two-hour lab, in week 17 or 18, to help students choose/find a topic. ROOM 4534.1 to accommodate all students simultaneously if possible. TUTORIAL/SEMINAR: WEEKS 19-28: 1 hour per week for each student, class split into groups of approx 15. ADDITIONALLY in Weeks 22- 26; 2 one hour preparation support classes for each \"teaching group\" - 1 with tutors to agree plans & materials, 1 with Academic Support to practice delivery. ALL IN ROOM 2021 (or, if exists, a small teaching room with interactive whiteboard). All classes in a day or on two adjacent days. Weekly lecture slot adjacent to one tutorial slot (to facilitate part-time study)

Teaching and Learning Work Loads :

Total : 150 hours Lecture : 12 hours

Tutorial/Seminar : 12 hours

Supervised Practical Activity : 2 hours Assessment : 60 hours Independent : hours

Assessment

Portfolio 1 tut. particip & present. Weighting : 50% Workload : 30 hrs Issue Week : 17 Submission Week : 28 Return Week : 34

Associated Learning Outcomes :

Assessment Tutor : LEIMICH , PETRA

2 Report 2 Mini Research project Weighting : 50% Workload : 30 hrs Issue Week : 17 Submission Week : 28 Return Week : 34

Associated Learning Outcomes :

http://cserv.abertay.ac.uk/modschem/modules/report13.cfm?pmod_uname=v510548&...15/04/2009

ACMEPage 3of 3

Assessment Tutor : LEIMICH , PETRA

Additional Assessment Information

Portfolio consists of (a) group preparation of materials for peers (b) individual lecture/seminar presentation and/or tutorial design and organisation and (c) participation in tutorials led by other students.

Additional Tutors : BALL , LES

Supportive Reading

Elmasri R. and Navathe S. (2007) Fundamentals of Database Systems. 5th ed. Addison Wesley: Harlow

Connolly T. and Begg C. (2009) Database Systems. A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation and Management. 5th ed. Addison Wesley: Harlow

Siau, Keng (2002-06) Advanced Topics in database research (Volumes 1-5) Idea group: Available in ebrary

Specialist Resources

Lecture room and tutorial room with Smart Whiteboard. Access to Ebrary and ACM, IEEE online journals. Specific input from subject librarian and Academic Support team.

Teachability Issues for this module are : Oral,Aural,Reading,Writing,Collaboration

Key Transferable Skills for this module are : Communication,Team Work,Research,Planning

http://cserv.abertay.ac.uk/modschem/modules/report13.cfm?pmod_uname=v510548&...15/04/2009